So I apologize ahead of time, this isn't the most pleasant discussion but something I am concerned about. I am training for the gold coast marathon on July 6th, anyhow currently on week 8 and the last two long runs have been especially painful. This is my first marathon by the way. I have run several halfs a few years back and was a Division 1 tennis player in university so I did come into training with a baseline fitness level. Anyway the first time I got sick after running was 2 weeks ago after a 10 mile run. Immediately after running I got a headache and had to lay on the couch, curled up in a ball. Shortly after I moved to the bed and slowly felt a knot in my throat forming. Probably 20 min later I realized throwing up might relieve it, so I did (made myself) and disturbingly I threw up black stuff- not much- I described it as almost 'coffee grinds' before I read similar discriptions online. Less than an hour after finishing the run I felt fine again and even had a hamburger for dinner and felt fine after (I know not the best usually for what one would think was a weak stomach)

Then this past Saturday, similarly, I got sick after the 12 mile run. Only this time I did not throw up black stuff only a little orange energy drink I had after finishing the run. I also had to make myself throw up again bc I could feel it coming up and I had to take the bus home. I ended up throwing up twice. After an hour or so I was able to eat dinner and get out of bed.

Both times I had a substantial meal before running but at least 2+ hours beforehand. I was actually hungry this past time before starting. I thought the first time I threw up it might have been because I ate too soon before running but after throwing up what I had drank after running this time it makes me think it doesn't have to do with food intake.

The only other thing I can think of to describe are the runs- both were flat, yes I was pushing myself but never once felt a pain or feeling like I'd have to puke while I was running. I felt like I could have kept going when I was finished.

Any help, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated!!

FYI here is a description of a peptic ulcer condition. I'm not saying you have one, but throwing up stuff that looks like coffee grinds is not normal. You need to have this diagnosed by a doctor. If a long run is stressing your body like that, a marathon will stress it much more. Good luck:

If the blood vessels are large, bleeding is faster. This is a more dangerous situation. The symptoms include weakness when standing up, vomiting blood or partly digested blood that looks like reddish brown coffee grinds, or fainting. Stools may be a black or dark red colour and ‘tar-like’ in consistency. Vomiting blood that resembles coffee grinds or passing black, tarry stools are important symptoms and you should see your doctor immediately if you develop these symptoms.

Initial treatment for bleeding ulcers may consist of the replacement of lost body fluids, however, if the bleeding is severe or persistent a blood transfusion may be needed.

Piano man, thanks for your response. I had read some serious stuff like the condition you mentioned about throwing up coffee grinds. It only happened once and I didn't have a bm (bowel movement) to be concerned about. What is so strange is that after an hour has passed I'm back to my normal self and even the next day I have slight soreness usually in my calfs but nothing I especially notice when I'm walking around. I do know my body gets stressed out and has quick, early reflexes when this happens.

Has anyone else experienced some of these things? Do you think one time (w black stuff) is enough to be of concern? I haven't signed up for the marathon yet. I thought I'd see how the 13 mile long run goes this weekend. If I get sick again I may reconsider. Also do you think I should aim to just run slower- that speed can affect how 'stressed' out your body can get?

Thanks for your help/advice.

My guess is you're going to have the same reaction. Those are really middle distance runs in terms of marathon training so you haven't even gotten into the long training runs of 15-20 miles yet. I know maybe 30 people personally that had a variety of athletic backgrounds that got into marathon training and none of them including myself ever got sick after long distance training runs. If you want to try one more run, don't eat a heavy meal, don't consume Carboom or Goo and just eat something light like a banana and a bagel and do that an hour at least before your run. Then you'll know it isn't a food reaction. Just drink water no Gatorade because the sugar can make you sick. If you still get sick then there is very likely something wrong. Again good luck to you

Alright thanks for your suggestions. I'll try that this weekend. I've taken off yesterday and today (9 miles total) just so I'm fully rested for the 13miler this weekend and also just so I know if I get sick then it probably won't be possible to do the full. I'd be really disappointed if I couldn't do it- do you think its possible that some people's bodies won't let them go that far of distance?? I always thought with the right physical training and some mental strength anyone could do a marathon. Also its wild bc I ran really fast half's just a few years ago and didn't get sick after and also during college would gruel out 3+ hr long tennis matches. At 23 I couldn't possibly be getting old!!!

If it were me, I would determine the cause of the stomach upset rather than give up on doing a full marathon based on this next run. The run will just confirm that something isn't right in your gut. That doesn't necessarily mean that you can't do marathons. It might be a correctable condition and once corrected you're good to go. You could have a long and rewarding future in marathon running given your background, don't give up on it that easily!

Even running on an empty stomach can cause throwing up...I think the last suggestion on only drinking water and having a bit of starch is a good idea...also...look at your diet as a whole, not just pre-run...you could be very acidic and need to make some dietary changes to become more alkaline.... Best of luck..DO NOT GIVE UP>

Thank you all for the very informative discussion.

Yesterday, I ran my first 50-miler at a relaxed, moderate pace - I don't normally eat during long runs, but had glucose tablets, plenty of hydration along the way, and once stopped briefly for a Snickers bar. Physically, I felt fine, even (unexpectedly) great until about mile 40. I had "dry heaves" and vomited what I thought was very thick, dark blood (though the coffee grinds analogy works really well). I felt completely DRUNK - and not in a good way - exhausted, dizzy, nauseated, etc. When I got home, I tried to write an email and couldn't - one line took 20 minutes because I kept falling asleep! I just crashed into bed and 13 hours later, I feel great - back to my old self! Bizarre reactions.

I'd run 50K distance before and my longest had been 35 miles. There's a world of difference, I've learned between 35 and 50, no matter what your preparation is, and I'm not planning to repeat it. I was honestly very scared to see "blood" when I vomited.

It's never happened before, regardless of the length or intensity of my runs. I feel fine so I'm not inclined to see a doctor about it.... unless it happens again on a shorter run.

Having said that, if I were training for marathon distance and had these same symptoms at a lower mileage than 26.2, you BET I'd go see a physician. While racing, your pace is always faster than on your leisurely weekend long run, so if you're experiencing these problems during training, racing could be a very 'iffy' situation.

Thank you for the post - I feel (a little bit) better and definitely more informed about what happened to me. Scary stuff, particularly to a 'seasoned' distance runner - never heard of it before!

Sincerely,

Cheryl McCormick
Carmel, CA