Long Run Headaches

Hello,

Everytime I go for a LSR, I end up with a killer headache!

I take on plenty of fluid before, drink Lucozade body fuel throughout and Lucozade recovery after.  I also try and eat well and stay hydrated after. 

However, no matter what I do, I get a headache about 3-4hrs after my run!

I have tried eating more, eating less, drinking more, drinking less, sweet tea, chocolate...but always end up having to resort to painkillers to get rid.

Any advice would be greatly recieved, either on prevention or cure!

Here are some ideas in no particular order.

Poor posture or other biomechanical problem.  Poor shoes.  Do you grit your teeth?  Do you hold your arms too high with tension in your shoulders?  Do you always run on tarmac?

So you could try running on varied surfaces and relaxing your running form.  If not perhaps you need different shoes or orthotics.

Thanks SD....great advice and like Tigerlily say, I wonder if I am running with two much tension in my shoulders as I woke up with a really sore neck and shoulder on Sunday. Must try to relax. I don't think it is my trainers as I got them from a specialist shop after a treddie test.

D2D - I actually suffer more with this in the summer which is why I thought it was fluid/fuel related but Saturdays run was quite cool and I still ended up needing painkillers.

Think I will spend more time trying to relax during and after, stretch more and bath instead of shower. All might help to get rid of any tension. Thanks

as a migraine sufferer but not a long distance runner i could give advice on cure rather than prevention

sweet tea, coke, spoonful of sugar, ice pack on the forehead, head between the knees with the knees acting as pressure against the temples, olbas oil rubbed on the temples of your head or where it hurts (it works!!!!!) 

Muppley - I think a can of coke might be a good one for me!  It is the only thing I crave and can stomach when I have been ill and I really crave it after a long run....maybe my body trying to tell me something?!

I am not sure I could do the spoonful of sugar bit though...Ick!

D2D - Head massage sounds great.  Just need to find a volunteer......

Have you recently increased the intensity or mileage of your LSRs?

When i started doing 6 miles regularly, I used to end up with a migraine and stomach cramps after every one. After several months, of continuing to run that distance and further it stopped happening.  Since then I've done runs of up to 10 miles and don't really get the problem, unless i push myself really hard.

Hi Vicky,

I have just started building the miles up after a season of concentrating on the shorter distances, however, I have always had the problem.  I did several HM for charity last year and had the same problem after every LSR and race.  It doesn't happen immediately but comes on through the day.

I am going out for a long run today so going to try the can of coke option afterwards to see if it helps.  

Well, I'd try getting some neck massage if I were you.

A huge amount of headaches are caused by tension in the neck reducing blood supply.

My wife frequently gets probs like yours, and I have to give her a gentle 'cranial massage' which is essentially very short periods of gentle vertical lift to her skull. Its not difficult, but has to be done sensitively, so you could google it and try and get someone to try it out on you.

Sounds awesome Phil.  Will check it out and get hubbie on the job!

On a plus side, I was very conscious of not tensing up to much on this weekends run and had a can of full-fat coke after my shower and no headaches or achey shoulders this week!!

Hi

I get intense 2 day migraines that start directly after an intense, lung busting, eye balls out, training session - usually feel I've worked at max like fartlek or tempo or efforts

Nothing seems to stop them - end up in dark room taking GP prescribed strong pain killers.

Have tried drink, no drink, relaxing shoulders and arms, head &.neck massage, glasses, etc but nothing seems to help!

 Very annoying but I now just go with it and put up with it!!