You are here: DIME Home > Sports > Ten Ways a Runner can feel the Burn

Ten Ways a Runner can feel the Burn

Your muscles are seizing up big time. Electrical impulses in the muscles have gone haywire, causing rapid contractions. Stop and stretch. Scientists are unsure of exactly what causes cramps, but it's not as simple as electrolyte imbalances or dehydration.

Author: Sandra Prior
Date: May 21, 2010 - 10:17:54 AM

Printer friendly page

Dehydration

 

You're parched, your mouth is full of cotton balls, and your heart races. Plain and simple: You've lost too much fluid. Drink. Water is best to quench the thirst, but drink what you crave.

 

Hitting the Red Zone

 

Your muscles burn - and basically everything's on fire. Many call this ‘going anaerobic,’ but there's little evidence that the pain arises from too little oxygen (or too much lactic acid). Rather, your brain recognizes that you're too close to your physiological limit and forces you to slow down. Ease up soon - or it's game over.

 

Leg Cramps

 

Your muscles are seizing up big time. Electrical impulses in the muscles have gone haywire, causing rapid contractions. Stop and stretch. Scientists are unsure of exactly what causes cramps, but it's not as simple as electrolyte imbalances or dehydration.

 

Shinsplints

 

Your shins are beyond sore. Pain is likely due to overtraining, wearing worn shoes, or running on uneven surfaces. Walk it out. Avoid relapses with stretching and strengthening exercises.

 

Hitting the Wall

 

You're out of energy. You've depleted your liver's supply of glycogen, and it can't maintain blood glucose. Begin long runs with full glycogen stores and down carbs when runs top 75 minutes. Aim for 30 to 60 grams per hour.

 

Bonking

 

Your brain's in a fog, and you may feel light-headed and dizzy. You are hypoglycemic; your liver has run low on glycogen and can't maintain blood glucose levels. Take in a steady flow of carbs. Bonus: It will help blunt pain perception, too.

 

Side Stitch

 

A stabbing pain pierces your side. Theories abound. The most popular: It's a cramp in your diaphragm muscle. Focus on breathing with your diaphragm by pushing your stomach in as you exhale and out as you inhale.

 

Chafing

 

It feels like a burning wound. Friction between skin and skin (or skin and clothing) rubs you raw. Avoid clothing with stitching in chafe-prone areas and apply lube to potential hot spots.

 

Leg Lock

 

Your muscles feel like they're filled with cement. You've run in the red zone too long and damaged some muscle fibers. Your brain is slowing down your muscles to protect you from permanent damage. The damage is done - just slow down.

 

Blisters

 

Your feet sting and burn. Friction between your foot and your shoe or sock rubs skin raw. Moisture makes it worse. Try preventive taping, or lube problem areas and keep feet dry. Wear socks made of moisture-wicking material, or thin, double-layer socks.

 

Sandra Prior runs her own bodybuilding website at http://bodybuild.rr.nu

View all articles by Sandra Prior

Link to this article:

Code to copy:

<a href="http://www.dime-co.com/sports/Ten-Ways-a-Runner-can-feel-the-Burn.shtml">Ten Ways a Runner can feel the Burn </a>

---

Search for articles: Advanced Search

Recommended Associates

Latest Articles in All Categories

Putting Up a Small Commercial Printing Business

So You Might Be Unemployed And Desire To Become A San Francisco Real Estate Investor Now

Meditation and Mindfulness: Dealing With Emotion

CPA Websites: Five Essential Ideas for Composing Convincing Articles

Set Goals In Order to Come Up With Your Action Plan

Is the Air in Your Home Safe to Breathe?

Coarse Fishing Tackle Review: The JW Young 13ft Trotter Rod

Section 1031 Exchanges For San Diego Real Estate Investors

Phoenix Real Estate Investing For Highest Possible Earnings

Legendary are the Volk Racing TE37 Wheels

Developing the Next Generation Wall Station (ChaseDesk™) for Healthcare - A Case Study

What are step down transformers?

Introducing Sharehype, the Revolutionary Tool for Online Marketers

Rewards To Shopping For Austin Real Estate On The Web

Hydroponics for Beginners

Do you write?

Would you like submit your articles and have them approved on a priority status? Find out more about how you can become a Priority author for pennies a day! Click here.

News Feed

Dime-co.com Home

Business (9328)

Computers & The Internet (5740)

Entertainment (1348)

Family (958)

Finance (1963)

Health (4246)

Home and Living (6670)

Marketing (6113)

Shopping & Product Reviews (2624)

Sports (694)

Travel and Vacations (1689)

Video Articles (1)

Editors Pick (1)