Thursday, October 20, 2005

Marathon Runners: Drinking too much water can kill

When I read this article in NYTimes.com about the warning to marathon runners, I am reminded of this old saying "அளவுக்கு மீறினால் அமிர்தமும் விஷம்". Coming to think of it, I guess it is common sense but then again, it is the common sense things which are not in common practice.

I have recently taken to marathon running and was under the impression that I should be drinking as much water I could to keep from dehydrating. But the NYTimes article warns about drinking too much water during (and after) the run which can lead to life threatening water intoxication (hyperhydration) or hyponatremia. For the first time in its history, the participant handbook for runners in the Nov. 6 New York City Marathon recommends that runners drink no more than eight ounces of water every 20 minutes.

This warning / recommendation has come at the right time for me as I prepare for two marathons in the coming months; Singapore Marathon in December 2005 and Chennai Marathon in February 2006. Like Kiruba, my goal is also to finish under 4 hours.
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6 comments:

  1. KrishThu Oct 20, 08:11:00 PM

    Kiruba site-la naan oru thadavai ezhudiyirunda maadiri, you are going to participate in the Ma(d)ra(s)thon :-). Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ram ViswanathanFri Oct 21, 11:25:00 AM

    Thennavan

    Thanks.. Just the preparing for the marathon itself has brought some changes.. like regularly getting up early.. & some weight loss..

    Let's see how I fare on the d-day..

    Ram

    ReplyDelete
  3. Narayanan VenkituFri Oct 21, 11:52:00 AM

    Visu,
    Wonderful post at the apt time.!! Nice article and good links..Truly an eye opener.

    I wish you the best for the marathons.

    If you remember you have been an inspiration to me a lot of ways..including Blogging..!!

    Reading you and seeing you participate in Marathons..I am thinking now if I can shake my a*s and start thinking about running.!!

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ram ViswanathanFri Oct 21, 05:14:00 PM

    Narayanan

    Thanks for the wishes..

    I am honored to be your friend.. glad to see 'mentalcentral' doing very well.. I enjoy reading / listening to your posts.

    I have just started running again this year and it is not actually that difficult.. start with 'brisk walks'.. I remember 'dragging' you out for a walk when I visited you in CA.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSat Oct 22, 05:34:00 AM

    Ram,

    Good post...btw, avlo thanni kudichu odumbodhu, vayirum sendhu kulungaadha? ;-)

    btw, let me try going to gym regularly from now on! ATB for your marathon prep!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ram ViswanathanMon Oct 24, 10:15:00 AM

    Sundaresan

    Thanks..

    Drinking too much water does make you feel bloated.. but sweating drains off some amount..

    Also, "dehydration" fear makes one drink more than they really need..

    ReplyDelete

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