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Is it my diet? (Read 268 times)

Andnels


    I've only been running for a few months. Sometimes after the first mile or so I start getting light headed and a tunnel vision affect, and a little shakey to the point I have to stop running. I eat healthy, any thoughts?

    Daydreamer1


      After you stop running do the problems go away?  If so, how quickly? If you resume running do the symptoms return?  You say you eat "healthy". Describe that.

       

      There are numerous potential causes.  Going out too fast without a warm up period could be one.  Not eating right or starting a run in a calorie depleted state could be another.  At the extreme end you could have a major medical condition.

       

      It would be nice if you could provide more info. Things like gender, age, any medical conditions, how far you run, how fast you start out. And of course describe your diet.


      #artbydmcbride

        I think you should definitely get your blood pressure checked.

         

        Runners run

        Little Blue


          I've had similar problems, although not the tunnel vision part.  I sometimes would get to about the 2.5 mile point, and my energy would drain out through my shoelaces.   My knees would get wobbly, and it was all I could do to make it back to my car.

           

          I usually ate something before a run (almost always morning), but through trial and error I figured out that I need some protein.  Just a bagel, or a power bar, didn't work.  My best option is to eat a scrambled egg, with maybe a bit of shredded cheese or avocado, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.  If I eat that 45-60 minutes before a run, I'll be fine.   I've tried it numerous times, and it works for me.

           

          YMMV.  Good luck!

          BeeRunB


            If you're eating before your run, experiment like Little Blue suggested, but also experiment with not eating closer than 3-4 hours before a run or race. Good luck. 

            Andnels


              I'm 49 and just passed my yearly physical. I'm thinking little blue may be right. I don't take in much in the way of proteins before I run. I'm gonna experiment with that some. I'm a slow runner 10:30 miles seem to be my comfortable pace. Thanks everyone I'll let you know how it works out.

              ieatrice


                Not sure about shakiness and lightheadedness, but I get tunnel vision sometimes.  For me, it's related to overheating, I think.  If I go out too fast on a hot / humid day or even in a jacket that's too hot on a cold day, I'll feel it by about mile 2.  (I can still run, but I just can't see where I'm going very well.)  Usually notching my pace down a bit helps until sweating picks up to cool me down.  Then I can go faster again.


                King of PhotoShop

                  This post interested me, as I also struggle with protein as I experiment with diet, and those who suggested a moderate protein based portion may be correct here. I also have to confess that when I read this from the bottom up, and saw that someone wrote "little blue may be right" I immediately thought someone was recommending Viagra. Sorry about that.

                  tomkim


                    Because you are getting a tunnel vision, you should seek medical advice. It has many possible causes so should be checked by your doctor. I would go to the doctor immediately before doing any more runs....

                    seeEricaRun


                    Awesome

                      As others have stated, the differential diagnosis includes some very serious medical conditions (and lots of less serious ones) and therefore warrants a workup by a real live doctor.

                       

                      Questions that come to mind: How old are you? What gender are you? Do you have any other health issues? Had you been exercising previously?  Have you ever felt this way before? Have you ever fainted before? If so, when? What was it attributed to? Have you had any sort of previous cardiac workup (echo, EKG, Holter monitoring, stress test)? Pulmonary workup? Why? Are there any other symptoms you are not mentioning (palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, wheezing, generalized fatigue, swelling in the legs, trouble lying flat)? Or any other general symptoms you have noticed lately? Did anyone ever tell you you have a heart murmur? Were you ever a smoker? Any recent illnesses? Is anyone around you sick?  History of recent bleeding of any form (heavy menses, GI, recent trauma, etc)? Any diseases seem to run in your family?  And on and on and on...

                      jackburton


                        Could be low blood sugar, could be that you're on the verge of a stroke...

                         

                        The reality is only your doctor and the tests he or she recommends can tell you the answer.