Medical conditions as a result of marathon training are not uncommon. Understanding the realm of possible injuries will help you to recognize, react and return to training sooner. Frustrating for certain, training injuries may not mean withdrawing from your scheduled race. A proactive response may just make the difference.
Hyponatremia
If you are training for a marathon and drinking too much water for fear of dehydration, you could suffer from hyponatremia. In particular, hypervolemic hyponatremia, in which your body’s concentration of sodium is diluted, can create a dangerous medical situation. Drinking too much water may result in heart, kidney or liver failure. Symptomatically, you might suffer from lethargy, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, irritability and restlessness. Marathon, ultra marathon and triathlon racers are susceptible to this condition. Treatment usually involves intravenous fluids and medication.
Metatarsal Stress Fracture
Stress fractures occur when tiny cracks appear in the bones of weight-bearing areas of your body. For marathon runners doing hill or speed training, stress fractures are most common in the bones of the top of your feet, known as metatarsals. Causes include the repetitive force your feet must endure and over-training. Other causes will include an abrupt change to a more intense training regimen, women with abnormal menstruation cycles and the onset of osteoporosis. Treatment includes the use of acetaminophen for pain and crutches or a walking boot.
ITBS
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) affects the knees of many runners in marathon training. The iliotibial band is located along the outside of the thighs and runs the length of your femur, from hip to knee. This medical condition is felt primarily along the lateral portion of your knees and swelling may occur . ITBS can be caused as a result of not properly warming up or cooling down, too much hill and downhill running and running on banked surfaces. Treatment involves running less, stretching, wearing motion control shoes if you over-pronate and decreasing the length of your stride.
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