Too Much Water Can Kill

Long distance runners and other endurance athletes have long been educated to believe that drinking lots of fluids during a long distance or endurance event was critical. And if you didn't drink enough water, you ran the risk of dehydration.

Researchers - studying 488 runners in the 2002 Bost Marathon found that the bigger danger is in drinking too much fluid (water or sports drinks) rather than not enough. They found that 62 of the 488 runners, more than one in eight, had a serious fluid and salt imbalance after the event. And three of them were in the danger zone.

Hyponatremia - a condition where drinking too much water or other fluids to the point where the salt level in the body drops too much - can develop during marathon races where the runners drink constantly to stave off dehydration.

Runners who actually gained weight (anywhere from 4-11 pounds) during the event and very thin runners are most at risk. Runners who drink sports drinks with very little salt in them are least at risk. The goal of drinking during a race is to replace water that is lost, not to take in more than you are losing.

A good way to learn how much is right for you is to weight yourself before a heavy training session. Then drink and record how much liquid you consume during the trainging. Then weight yourself again. If you find that you weight more after the training than before, you should cut down on your liquid intake. By performing this exercise, you will learn how much liquid you really need to injest during an event and be able to pace yourself accordingly.

Hyponatremia can begin with confusion and lethargy and can progress rapidly to more severe symptoms. They can include twitching, siezures, stupor, coma and even death.

In recent years, hyponatremia has killed several amateur marathon runners as well as competitors in the Marine Corps Marathon.

To learn more about hyponatremia and proper hydration during events, visit http://usatf.org/groups/coaches/library/hydration/

Steven Chabotte is a freelance writer that writes for The Nutrition Guide at http://www.thenutritionguide.com and My Attorney Finder http://www.myattorneyfinder.com

What Should Runners Think About?

What do you think about when you are running? Does... Read More

Walking for Your Health

Walking is the easiest way of exercise because it is... Read More

Using Nutrition to Boost Your Cardio

So, you're doing cardio religiously and you're not getting any... Read More

How To Start a Running Program

Running or jogging is one of the best ways there... Read More

Do You Need an Expensive Padded, Cushioned, Air Bubbled, Gelled Running Shoe?

Nike Free does not think so; and neither should you.... Read More

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

The real benefits of aerobic exercise are achieved by increasing... Read More

The Fitness Cardio Secret That Propels Lance Armstrong

What is Lance Armstrong doing that you can do to... Read More

Running Tips

It's a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning... Read More

A Cardio Snobs Workout

As I peruse the pages of various holiday issues of... Read More

Elliptical Workouts

Elliptical workouts basically involve aerobic or cardiovascular exercise. Elliptical cross... Read More

Cardios Effect on Overall Health

When most people hear the word "Cardio", their mind automatically... Read More

Elliptical Trainer Benefits

There are so many elliptical trainer benefits to list that... Read More

Fat Burning Exercises

Fat burning exercises are the slow, aerobic, long duration types... Read More

Treadmill Workout Ideas That Make Fitness Fun

Research shows that in order to lose weight safely and... Read More

Running on Empty

A sexy pair of legs moseys its way down a... Read More

Are You Making This Cardio Mistake?

Are you exercising for long periods of time to try... Read More

Spinning Exercise

Spinning exercise or studio cycling is not only popular these... Read More

Winter Running: Survival Tips For Your Feet

The days are shorter, the air is colder and the... Read More

Integrated Training for Improved Cycling Performance - Part 2

The previous article looked at postural issues and possible muscles... Read More

Cardio-Boxing for Super Fitness

The major benefits of cardio-boxing include:· Increased Stamina · Increased... Read More