I have a stupid question. (Read 1352 times)

Today durning my run My sweat smelled like amonia it was really weird and my leggs about 1/2 way into my usual route felt very tried. Could I be missing something nutrioton wise. Anyone know what causes this. Was I dehydrated maybe I usaully drink abot 120 oz a day and today was no different. I had already consumed 4 16oz before run and one durning the 35 min run. Will have a few more this after noon and some propel to replace elctrolights. Doug.

Today durning my run My sweat smelled like amonia it was really weird and my leggs about 1/2 way into my usual route felt very tried. Could I be missing something nutrioton wise. Anyone know what causes this. Was I dehydrated maybe I usaully drink abot 120 oz a day and today was no different. I had already consumed 4 16oz before run and one durning the 35 min run. Will have a few more this after noon and some propel to replace elctrolights. Doug.

That is a lot of hydration. You had a half gallon before your run (already today?) and another 16 ounces during it? Be careful. You can overdo the water. And its a lot more dangerous than being slightly dehydrated. The experts (or those who think they are - no, wait, he's on a business trip ... ) will chime in shortly, so you might want to add some details: how far did you run? What were the temps? (I'm hoping 99+) What time of day? What's your diet like? Did you by any chance have 9 or 10 beers last night? Okay, checked your log. Not sure where you live or what time you ran today, but I think its safe to say you don't need 80 ounces of water to run 3 miles @ 10+ pace. Drink when you're thirsty. Maybe I'm wrong. What color is your pee? The ammonia thing might mean dehydration: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=326 But too much water can kill you. You drank more water to run 3 miles than I would to run 20-25, even on the hottest day. Maybe you need more, but be careful. I dealt with hyponatremia once, and it wasn't fun. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia

I'd caution you from drinking perscribed amounts of fluids like you are doing.

Agreed. Whether your underhydrated or overhydrated, drink what you personally need, not some specific amount.

I am an expert at nothing. But I can google like a mother. Option #!. You're not getting enough carbohydrate before you run. Ammonia (chemical term is NH3) is a nitrogen breakdown product of amino acids in the body. Amino acids are the building blocks to make proteins in the body. If your body turn to breaking down amino acids for energy (instead of using carbohydrate and/or fat), the nitrogen atom is chemically stripped of the amino acid molecule (which is then converted to glucose fuel) and processes the nitrogen in the kidneys and forms urea for excretion. If your kidneys cannot handle the load of urea, the nitrogen is excreted in your sweat as ammonia. http://runningdoctor.runnersworld.com/2008/05/why-does-my-swe.html Option #2. You eat too much protein (variation of #1). The food you eat contains carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Of the three, only protein contains nitrogen. The body has no way to store extra protein, so when you take in more protein than your body needs, your liver knocks nitrogen off the protein and the nitrogen is eventually converted to ammonia and passes through the sweat glands and kidneys. http://www.backpacker.com/community/ask_buck/22 Option #3. The dreaded helicobacter. Some people smell like ammonia when they do not take in large amounts of protein. An article in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology showed that many people who smell like ammonia are infected with helicobacter, a bacteria that knocks nitrogen off protein also. When helicobacter grows in your stomach and intestines, it causes ulcer symptoms characterized by belching, burping, a sour taste in your mouth and a burning pain that often become more severe when you are hungry and better when you eat. More than 80 percent of people who have duodenal ulcers are infected with this bacteria. If your sweat smells like ammonia, ask your doctor to do a blood test for helicobacter. If you are infected, you can be cured with a one week course of antibiotics. Check with your doctor. http://drmirkin.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html Based on our feeling tired, I'd suspect #1. Based on the fact that I know diddley, I wouldn't trust my suspicions.

It's perfectly normal to smell like ammonia after a long, hard run or if you are dehydrated. Neither of those scenarios apply to you since you are already well hydrated and are only running three miles, so whatever is causing the smell is not related to running. Better look into option #3. Tom

Maybe could the meds make your sweat smell?

I would definitely check with your doc Doug. And it's pretty obvious you can change the title from "stupid question", it's nowhere near stupid. Hope it's just a temporary annoyance/issue and you're feeling 100% soon. Soon, as in before Tuesday night's Nostradamus race.