Why do I feel cold post-run?

[Vragtes]

Have graduated (twice) from C25k and am now running for 40 minutes, three times a week. I cover about 8km in this time.

After the run, I do my stretches and then shower. After the shower, I sit and have a coffee and contemplate the day. But I’ve noticed that I get really cold. Even when it isn’t specially cool outside.

Has anyone else noticed this and is there an explanation?

[Woollyweaver Graduate10]

Yes! I posted about this the other week too! I feel exactly the same - I get really chilled after exercise ( running, or long walks), so much so that I have to put on a thick fleece AND an insulated jacket - sometimes it can take me the best part of the day for my core to feel warm again. No clues as to why though, sorry.I have noticed that I don't get cold in the same way in the winter, when I tend to exercise well wrapped up. There may be a clue there, but I haven't fathomed it yet 🙄

I put it down to the menopause - if in doubt, it is always the easiest thing to blame 😂

[Vragtes Graduate10 in reply to Woollyweaver]

Hi Woollyweaver, thanks for replying.In my case I certainly can’t blame the menopause (as I’m a 66-year-old man). but it is certainly noticeable. I get very warm when I’m running and during my exercise. I have a warm shower (not hot) and then put on clean dry clothes. Sometimes, I have got so cold that I get into bed and still don’t warm up!

I have wondered whether it is a matter of nutrition. For the last 15 years, my wife and I have been doing the five and two diet. So on Mondays and Thursdays, we limit our calorific intake. I haven’t noticed that the coldness I feel it’s worse on the day following a fast day but I may start logging it stop.

It isn’t really a problem but it is certainly noticeable and I just wonder over the cause.

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to Vragtes]

I came across this thread from a few years ago:healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I guess if you are following a special restrictive diet, then low blood sugar could well be an issue worth looking into?

In my case, I'm pretty sure it is not hydration as I drink like a fish, but I'm certainly going to research the hypoglycemia angle - I think that I suffer most when I run on empty first thing in the morning 🤔

[Vragtes Graduate10 in reply to Woollyweaver]

Very interesting thread, Woollyweaver, thanks for posting. Think it could well be the adrenaline.I do run early morning (about 6:30 a.m.) before it gets too hot. I’m currently in France and it’s both hot and humid. So early morning is best fir me. Going to try having a small cup of coffee at 06:15 and see whether it makes a difference.

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to Vragtes]

I'll be interested to hear if the coffee helps. I only ever drink green tea before a run, maybe not enough caffeine, so perhaps I should try a quick espresso.

Good luck running in that heat- humidity is the worst 🥵!

[Vragtes Graduate10 in reply to Woollyweaver]

Maybe only a partial reply, Woollyweaver-it was a very warm and humid night so this morning I set off at 6:00 a.m. and it was already warm. Didn’t have a coffee before I ran but had a double espresso as soon as I’d done my run and completed my stretches and I haven’t felt cold. Trouble is, I’m not sure whether it’s the coffee or just the very warm weather! More trials required. But I will post the results here.

Despite the run on Friday 13th, no injuries or niggles to report.🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

I always get cold after a run. I notice it because I always go outside before I run, just to see how cold it is, for what I need to wear! After a run I sit outside again and always need to put a fleece on. I run early, usually fasted. I always figured it was low blood sugar and never bothered about it too much. Once I’ve eaten and showered, I’m back to normal.

[CBDB Graduate10]

How strange. My experience is somewhat the opposite but it’s probably all connected.

I have a thyroid condition and I can tell when I do not get enough thyroid medication by the cold I feel in my feet and body. So under medicated, and thus low metabolism, means I get that feeling that some described when you need a hot water bottle and a duvet just to manage to get your body warmth up to reasonable level.

Now, running has really boosted my metabolism. So when I manage 3 runs/week I do not ever get cold feet ever, even if I sometimes forget my medication.

But when I stop running for a week or more (which I tend to do here and there due to little knee niggles) , my coldness in my feet comes back.

It disappears again once I have run my first 2 runs in the week.

It’s pretty dependable, so it’s certainly metabolism related, but running really keeps me warm. For me, hot water bottles are now a thing of the past but I used to have 2 bottles plus another blanket to keep me warm-ish!

Not sure this helps but just thought I’d add to the mystery of running bodies.

Great read! 👍🏽💪🏃🏼‍♀️

[Vragtes Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Very strange, CBDB. I’ve certainly noticed that my metabolism seems to have speeded up and that was one of the reasons for starting to run. I’m glad running has sorted out the need for you to have hot water bottles!