Hi, I just ran my first ultramarathon (100k) and loved it, but ended up in A+E overnight because of low potassium/blood sugar levels and slightly irregular ECG because I didn't notice I was tired or low in sugars until I finished and nearly collapsed- was v shaky, nauseous and dizzy, and couldn't stand up properly without passing out. I genuinely hadn't noticed anything until that point, apart from some mild palpitations about 50k in. Has anyone else had this experience?
I think the problem is that I LOVE running- it's been my main obsession for about three years and when I run, I 'zone out' and don't really notice anything. It also makes me 'high' and feel amazing. I have problems with knowing how I feel in general anyway (even physical- I find it v hard to know when I'm hungry or tired, for example, until I go shaky or dizzy with lack of food, or my eyes keep closing and I nearly fall asleep standing up. Because of that, I have a routine every day where I eat/sleep etc at the same times, but that doesn't apply to v long runs and am finding it v hard to work out. I stuck to my usual eating times but it must have not been enough, but I didn't notice anything at all while I was running. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a way around it? REALLY don't want to end up in hospital every time I do a long race!