Stress "shock"

[MudLark]

Guys, I'm wondering about something I've experienced a few times now (at least twice, very clearly). Usually in a competitive event when you're pushing yourself hard (you've been in the maximal aerobic zone a lot of the time) and really "running out of gas" towards the end on a hot day. Sometimes in those circumstances, I feel like my body goes into a kind of "shock". Hard to describe but I sort of get quite cold inside, then it goes away, then it comes again. Weirdest thing. 

 

Anyone else experience this or know what it is or what it's called?

 

Cheers,

Mudlark

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

Guys, I'm wondering about something I've experienced a few times now (at least twice, very clearly). Usually in a competitive event when you're pushing yourself hard (you've been in the maximal aerobic zone a lot of the time) and really "running out of gas" towards the end on a hot day. Sometimes in those circumstances, I feel like my body goes into a kind of "shock". Hard to describe but I sort of get quite cold inside, then it goes away, then it comes again. Weirdest thing. 

 

Anyone else experience this or know what it is or what it's called?

 

Cheers,

Mudlark

 

Hi MudLark,

 

I have, and sometimes still do experience a similar thing.  The last time I really felt it though, was after one of the Xterra events in Grabouw.  After the event,(and even though it was freaking hot) I was ice cold, like going into shock.  I know that prior and during the event, I was very stressed out, because a few weeks before that, I had had a very nasty MTB crash, which left me battered and bruised, and with '0' confidence.  So not sure if this stress was the cause of this cold/shock experience.

[MudLark]

Thank you Andrea – at least I know I am not completely alone! :-) A friend of mine who is a pharmacist but more than just a pharmacist has offered a couple of possible explanations which make sense in context.

 

 

 

Hi MudLark,

 

I have, and sometimes still do experience a similar thing.  The last time I really felt it though, was after one of the Xterra events in Grabouw.  After the event,(and even though it was freaking hot) I was ice cold, like going into shock.  I know that prior and during the event, I was very stressed out, because a few weeks before that, I had had a very nasty MTB crash, which left me battered and bruised, and with '0' confidence.  So not sure if this stress was the cause of this cold/shock experience.

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

Thank you Andrea – at least I know I am not completely alone! :-) A friend of mine who is a pharmacist but more than just a pharmacist has offered a couple of possible explanations which make sense in context.

 

My pleasure!  And if you don't mind sharing, I would love to hear your pharmacist friends' explanation

[Jako De Wet]

I've also experienced this when pushing my boundaries, almost feels like a hot flash, but a cold one.

 

Not each and every time, but definitely have before. Funny enough Andrea, I also think it was at XTerra. No one should be alive after a 1.5km swim in anycase.

[MudLark]

Our symptoms sound absolutely identical.

 

Anyone got a line to Tim Noakes? Might be worth asking him what it is – he is probably the person who is most likely to be able to give us an accurate answer. As well as a suggestion as to how to deal with it/avoid it. It can be pretty unpleasant.

 

 

I've also experienced this when pushing my boundaries, almost feels like a hot flash, but a cold one.

 

Not each and every time, but definitely have before. Funny enough Andrea, I also think it was at XTerra. No one should be alive after a 1.5km swim in anycase.

[ChrisF]

possibly blood sugar going LOW ?

 

 

 

 

sounds pretty much like the warning signs I get when my blood sugar tanks ....

[MrJacques]

I've had tingling in my face when pushing really hard. I think it has to do with more blood being routed to your muscles and away from other areas.

[Capricorn]

bit of dehydration kicking in? or the fact that it's hot, and you are working out, so blood flows to the periphery to cool the core, which then can feel cold relative to the rest of the body that's actively under exertion.?

[The Ouzo]

bit of dehydration kicking in? or the fact that it's hot, and you are working out, so blood flows to the periphery to cool the core, which then can feel cold relative to the rest of the body that's actively under exertion.?

Its happened to me a few times and I've also made the assumption that its dehydration.

[DJR]

Early signs of heat stroke can be tingling of the skin and goose bumps.

[Andrew Steer]

Yip, dehydration/heat stroke quite possibly from my experience

[shaper]

Likely, Failure to fuel nutrition properly and hydrate enough, leads to a loss of electrolytes, salts and sodium.  Results in low blood/sugar (bonk) as well as low salt/sodium levels will result in chills.

 

Look at your nutrition and fluid intake for long rides.  Do a sweat test to see how much you loose in body weight to have a better idea of how much liquid you will need to replace at the very least.

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

I googled this 'phenomena', and came across this blog on thermoregulation: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/scicurious-brain/running-and-thermoregulation-the-post-run-shivers/.

[Mamil]

I have a similar experience from time to time that feels like I have a fever and am shivering from the fever - goosebumps, a shuddering sensation in my core and an awareness that I am close to my limit. I've always assumed that it is because I am overheating.

 

That blog post is interesting and makes sense to me.

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

I have a similar experience from time to time that feels like I have a fever and am shivering from the fever - goosebumps, a shuddering sensation in my core and an awareness that I am close to my limit. I've always assumed that it is because I am overheating.

 

That blog post is interesting and makes sense to me.

 

So we are getting closer and closer to understanding why this happens   The blog also made sense to me.