Hello there! It’s the last Friday of the month, so Marcia is opening up her “runfessional.” As always I have plenty to runfess! I believe every good runfession should include a “digestive issue…” I know you’re excited. Let’s get started!
In last week’s weekly rundown, I reported that I ran four times, ending the week with a “long-ish” seven mile run. What I didn’t mention was that all those runs felt unusually hard. Nothing hurt, but it took more than the normal effort to get those “easy” runs done.
During the seven mile run I kept telling myself to slow down, but no matter how slowly I ran it felt hard. About halfway through I stopped at a water fountain for a drink, and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I thought “that seems awfully fast” but then finished the run.
It wasn’t until later in the day that I thought to check my heart rate for that run, and it was 165- which is CRAZY HIGH. My heart rate is usually around 130, and will get up to around 150 if I do speedwork. I’ve never seen it at 165. Now, granted- I’m getting this data from my Garmin which possibly isn’t the most accurate measure (a wrist measurement isn’t as accurate as a chest strap would be.) But given my perceived effort level, it did seem likely that my heard rate was up there.
I looked back at the data from my previous runs during the week, and sure enough- my heart rate was elevated for those as well. Not up to 165, but around 150 which is high for a slow, easy run. ARG!
The first thing I did was TAKE A DAY OFF. Back in the good old days, when I was doing long runs on Sundays, I always took Monday off completely. Then I started sneaking in a Monday yoga class, and then a couple other things… a quick core class, maybe some pushups or pull-ups…and I can’t actually remember the last time I had a rest day..
So I took Monday off completely. Not only did I not exercise, but since my daughter had the day off from school I was able to sleep an hour later, AND when I got home from work, I took a nap. I really rested on that rest day.
I’m sure the rest helped, but then I read this article on why you may have an elevated heart rate on easy runs, and the one reason that jumped out at me was… dehydration.
Remember when I had Covid on Christmas Day? Ever since then my digestive system has been having some challenges. My doctor said it’s normal, because when the coronavirus gets into your gut it can wreak havoc, and it takes some time but will eventually resolve itself. Without going into too much detail, I’ve been aware that this situation could be dehydrating. I’ve been drinking extra fluids and doubling up on my LMNT, but maybe it’s not enough.
SHEESH. What in the world is going to happen next? It just seems to be one thing after another these days. But I guess most people feel like that… it’s called “Life.” Still, I wish Life would be a little more like running down a beautiful trail on a sunny day, as opposed to hacking my way through the dense jungle with a machete.
But! All we can do is muddle through, right? This too shall pass…. and all that. I’m sure we all have some runfessions this month. Let’s all share over a large glass of LMNT! Or your electrolyte replacement beverage of choice.
Do you pay attention to your heart rate when you run? – I probably wouldn’t have checked it if I didn’t suspect something was off.
If you had Covid, did it affect your digestion?
27 Responses
Yikes! Interesting on the dehydration connection. I know a few people who had elevated HRs after getting covid, so it could be that too. I’d keep an eye on it and maybe get it checked out if your hydration efforts don’t do the trick. I don’t think it’s your issue at all, but an early sign of my Grave’s Disease (hyperthyroid) was a higher HR — it became easy to get into the “orange” zone on the rower at OTF, where usually it wasn’t.
I actually take a medication for HYPOthyroid- but it could be a thyroid thing. Maybe my meds need to be tweaked. I didn’t know you had Graves- does it affect you at all or is it completely controlled by medication?
I just had a run this week we’re my HR really spiked — I probably wouldn’t have known but it was an abnormally warm day so I could actually see my watch. I was definitely not dehydrated though.
Not to scare you but I do know some people who developed heart issues after COVID. One is one of my moms friends, though, so quite elderly. Another is older than me, but she’s also been struggling with elevated HR. I’m sure it will resolve itself in time but it must be frustrating.
Maybe your HR spiked because it was so warm and you’re not used to it?
Every time I try to say there are no long-term affects from omicron, someone reminds me that since omicron is new, we really don’t know that yet. However… I do feel like this is something that will resolve itself. Time will tell!
Knock wood I haven’t had Covid, but I’m sure there is still fallout happening from that. Ugh. Dehydration will most definitely wreak havoc on your workouts and your heart rate. I just this week started taking probiotics and I’m already seeing positive results. Gut health is so important and so often overlooked.
Yes, I don’t usually take a probiotic but I am now. You’re right, gut health affects everything.
I have not had COVID and do not know anyone with lingering issues. So I’m no help.
I do not track my heart rate. I do know that it is usually high but I have no idea if it goes up when I run. But I rarely go all out on my runs… except running through the finish line of a race lol
Again ignorance is bliss or maybe not.
So if you feel ok, it may resolve itself or if you are worried, then do what would help
I like that advice! I’m going by feel for now, and assuming that this will resolve itself. Things almost always do.
I can get dehydrated very easily so this is something I do pay attention to as well. Do you run with electrolytes? I use them even in the winter time and I feel so much better on my runs. I would definitely pay attention t the HR and maybe ask your Dr to do a blood panel. Can’t hurt! Thats my 2 cents from a Doctor’s daughter 🙂
Thanks Dr. Deborah! Just as a coincidence I had my bloodwork done a few weeks ago- I get it tested every 6 months for my thyroid and they check all sorts of other things as well.
I’ve started drinking electrolytes before and after my runs, even the short ones. I think (?) it’s helping…
That’s scary about your HR! Hopefully it was “just” dehydration. I tested positive for Covid (Nov, 2020), but other than a scratchy throat I was asymptomatic. Seems like Covid affects everyone uniquely…
Wow, that’s crazy- you had Covid early on (the “bad” strain) and you hardly had anything! After two years it’s still a mystery.
Oh, no! If you’re concentrating on hydration and still having problems, that seems like a big issues. Have you called a medical professional to talk through some of this?
If the HR thing continues, I’ll definitely talk about it with my doctor. I saw her just last week and we talked about the digestive issues, but the elevated HR hadn’t started yet.
Sorry, Jenny. Definitely sounds like something that needs to be watched very closely. That is a benefit of all our wearable devices.
Do you have a chest-strap heart-rate monitor you could use on some runs to get a more accurate read?
Also sorry to hear about continued issues from COVID. It’s such an unknown thing at this point and it is very clear that different people have hugely different reactions (and longer-term impacts).
Stay well. Rest up and I do hope things stabilize quickly.
Yes, Covid is so strange. A coworker had it around the same time I did and she still can’t stop coughing. She just went to the doctor and got a dose of steroids because it was so uncomfortable. I am definitely trying to rest more- resting can only help!
I’m really sorry about your HR issues. Unfortunately, I know many who are dealing with all kinds of fallout from COVID. I second Deborah’s suggestion of a full blood panel – better to check everything.
Yes, I did have blood drawn (unrelated) and they check things pretty thoroughly. But if this continues I’ll definitely revisit the subject with my doctor.
I immediately thought Covid when you mentioned the elevated HR. I hope it settles down. Covid really has wreaked havoc on a lot of people’s health. I don’t think there’s a lot known about it, which might be why you aren’t getting answers. Hang in there. <3
Thank you Wendy! Yes, the HR could be directly linked to Covid- as you said, we really don’t know. Meanwhile extra fluid and eletrolytes seem to be helping, so fingers crossed.
I did not have Covid, but I can tell you something that happened to me: I accidentally gave myself iron poisoning. It’s a long, super boring story, but the crux is that I was having…digestive issues, and I didn’t immediately correlate it to the IRON SUPPLEMENT I SHOULD NOT HAVE EVER TAKEN BECAUSE MY IRON LEVELS ARE FABULOUS, WHAT WAS I THINKING. Anyway. Digestive issues. I eat a lot of fibre, so I didn’t really think about it. Well, I was on a 10km run and around 9.5km I thought, oh my god, I need a bathroom. It was DESPERATE. I zoomed that last 0.5 km, which is hard when, you know, you have a digestive issue happening, and made it home in time, but barely. This was last summer, and I thought that a) there were no public bathrooms around, and b) even if there were, I was running and didn’t have a mask, and no one would have let me in to use a bathroom maskless. All’s well that ends well, though.
Ha ha… glad that incident ended well- I’ve had some of those (not recently) that didn’t end quite as well (ah, the life of a long-distance runner.) As for iron, mine is actually a little low. Like on the lower side of normal. I blame that on the fact that we got an amazing new pan for cooking, and I haven’t used the cast iron skillet in months. I’ll be pulling that out again! But yes- you should not supplement with iron unless you know you need it! As you discovered.
I rarely get dehydrated because I usually drink a lot of water. However, on Friday I had a headache in the morning and when it was lunchtime I quickly drank 16 ounces of water. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was till I put my bottle down and saw how much I drank. I have not had covid but know how much it affects people. Hang in there!
Thank you Zenaida! Yes, a headache sounds like dehydration. Hopefully that 16 ounces of water cured it!
Ugh, I’m sorry you’re still dealing with Covid aftereffects. That’s the crazy thing about this virus – the lingering symptoms that sometimes feel so unrelated to what you experienced! I’m glad you took a full rest day, though. Your body probably needed it!
Yes, it really is crazy. Then I have a coworker who had Covid around the same time I did and she still can’t stop coughing. It’s so unpredictable.