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Vegans Running & Headaches
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by Jane Doe
on March 2, 2011
Hello, I wanted to see if anyone else out there is familiar with "Runner's Headaches". I've been training for the Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans since the end of December. My husband warned me that I would need to be careful to compensate with my diet with all the added milage lately. I knew that sounded reasonable, but didn't change much. I am running between about 4-7 miles a day each day for 3 days then a day off. With in exactly one hour of finishing I end up with EXCRUCIATING headaches. I am drinking tons of water (about 80-100 ounces per day) and have recently started adding in powerade for electrolytes... I've read that the runners headaches are pretty common, especially in people eating vegetarian/vegan diets. Both vegan and running are important to me and I would love to find a way for them to co-exist! Any thoughts, help or similar situations shared would be greatly appreciated!!
I lead a vegetarian lifestyle, and eat vegan meals several times a week. I'm also an avid runner, currently training for a half-marathon. I've heard that when you're training for a race you should be drinking at least a gallon of water a day (128 oz.), which can be difficult. One thing I've added into my training is pure coconut water on my long run days which seems to help rehydrate quicker. As far as the headaches go, it may be a vitamin deficiency....maybe b-vitamins? A few years ago, after suffering from 3-4 headaches/week, by suggestion of a friend I started taking a b-complex supplement and my headahces disappeared! People on vegetarian/vegan diets may need to supplement if they're not getting enough from the foods they eat. So, it could be a combination of dehydration and vitamin deficiency that's creating the tension. Headaches can put a serious damper on your training though, I know how you feel! Good luck with your race!
Definitely try taking B vitamins!! I was having horrible headaches last month and couldn't take it. All I had on hand were Emergen-C packets, but I had one a day for about 3 days and my headaches disappeared and haven't come back since. I've been having Emergen-C about every other day in the mornings and find that it helps a lot.
Not sure if there is TOO much B vitamins in these packets, but so far its working. I'm going to do some research and see if I should just buy a supplement instead.
I hope this helps!
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