Hitting the wall!

[MadDave]

I’d thought I’d experienced ‘hitting the wall’ before, but today at around 8k I really did hit the wall so badly I could barely walk home (the long walk of shame!). I really couldn’t even jog - dizzy, stumbling, tingling lips and fingertips, really tight muscles.

Perhaps I should’ve had breakfast and not relied on a few jelly babies & electrolyte, but I’ve never experienced ‘the wall’ as bad as that before.

At one point I seriously considered ringing for a taxi to get home - that’s how bad it made me feel!

[Madge50 Marathon]

Blimey, glad you’re ok, we really struggled at parkrun this morning, and that was after breakfast! It was mighty hot and humid, so it was a bit slower, even then I felt pretty grotty by the end (first time I’ve felt like that - but have had a slight tummy bug this week)

I must say, I don’t think jelly babies are enough as breakfast to go out in this heat - consider yourself told off! I can do that in the winter.....and have done....and I take JB’s and gels with me.....as long as the run isn’t too long....I.e not more than about 10k....

I think this can take you by surprise, there was a lady at one of the local parkruns last week, who is experienced, and pretty fast, didn’t have any breakie or much water and found herself veering off course near the end and nearly collapsing - it was the humidity (she was ok but was quite unwell the rest of the day) you can imagine the messages about fuelling and hydration that went out afterwards......!

You could well still be recovering from that clambering all over Snowdonia last week.....🤔 😉

Mx

[MadDave in reply to Madge50]

I think you’re right - at least a small breakfast would help!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Whoa Dave, that didn’t sound good. I’m so glad you’re ok.

I’m reading all these posts with interest as I have a 10k race tomorrow and it’s forecast to be 26 degrees plus. I’m hoping for a cooling breeze (Severn Bridge), but I’ll definitely make sure I fuel up adequately this evening and tomorrow morning. I’m not a warm weather runner ..... 😳

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Here’s a tip, if you have one, take a small bottle with a spray nozzle, with water in it, (the sort you get in those holiday toiletries packs - boots do them.....) a little spritz on your face is amazing, and great for helping to cool down.....I’m sure the organisers will do something.....extra water stations etc., one run I did, they had big buckets of water with sponges in that you could douse yourself down with - brilliant! (It was a cross country course....)

Another one near me, rigs up a hose pipe shower.....they put little holes in the hosepipe, string it across a frame and it’s something to look forward to at the end.....they did have ladies with super soaker water pistols on the route this year.....😂👍

Have fun though, take it easy...you’ll be great..

Mx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Ooo thanks Madge, I have one of those, I’ll take it along. 😀😀 What a great tip! 👍

Yes, the Bristol 10k had a hose which I ran through. It was fairly warm that day too (May), but nothing compared to tomorrow. 🙄🥵 If there are super soakers to be had, I’ll be right there! 😅

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I tell you, the amount of times so far this year I could have easily done the ice bucket challenge.....😂😎🏃‍♀️and that’s just on the way round 😂 ........and I’ve still got a few events to go....😱🚿

Mx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Why do we do this?!! 😅😅😅

[MadDave in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂😂😂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

That does not sound good at all, thankfully you made it back!

Fuelling is just so important, we can manage without some days but not others. Always worth carrying at least one snack bar or similar 👍🏻

[MadDave in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yep quite right - better planning would have helped!

[Hidden]

I had the same thing last year after 12k in the heat. I hadn’t intended to go so far so didn’t take fluids. Faint to the point of blacking out, couldn’t breathe, tingling extremities, it went on for hours on and off. ECG, blood tests all normal, in fact above normal (my blood count was over 15 - so much for vegans being anaemic!). I never run more than 5k in summer now without electrolyte drink with me

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Glad you are ok Dave! A friend had the same issue on a solo trail run where she almost fainted. Fuelling was the culprit there too. I usually bring more than I need. After a solid breakfast on a very long run today I did and wound up using everything I had. Extra water, protein bar, extra gels all gone and I was still running on empty at the end. I guess some days you need em and some days you don’t.

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

I ran a 8k the other day, my pace was slightly slower than yours Dave, 7.42 compared to your 6.08 and ran it in 61.08, I was a little tired after the run but not absolutely knackered and I could walk home, 2 kilometers from the end of that run, perhaps you ran too fast and had not hydrated enough, I don't think jelly babies are a good meal for breakfast, better luck for your next run😊 🏃

[Snuffy_T Half Marathon]

I swear by a bowl of porridge with milk, a pinch of salt and either jam or sugar for breakfast before a run. Glad you made it home in one piece

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Snuffy_T]

Me too. Porridge addict these days 😁

[misswobble Marathon]

Fuel! ⛽️ You know it makes sense. The feeling of running out of gas feels so awful as your blood sugar levels plummet, leaving you feel like death 💀

You won’t do it again I bet 🙂 I hope you’re ok now 🙂