swollen hands during run

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » swollen hands during run Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-07-25 2:05 PM

Member
19

Subject: swollen hands during run
Hi, my hands tend to get really swollen during tri events and on long training runs (over 9 miles). do any of you have any experience with this (what causes this) and/or advice? thx in advance. -la

2008-07-25 2:06 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
hydrating enough?  sounds like water retention. 
2008-07-25 2:15 PM
in reply to: #1559665

User image

Expert
1202
1000100100
Montana
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
ChrisM - 2008-07-25 1:06 PM

hydrating enough?  sounds like water retention. 


x2
2008-07-25 2:49 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run

It happens to me and my coach says it is pretty normal. As our bodies try to cool ourselves, blood gets pumped to places that have lots of surface area realtive to body mass (ie arms are great for helping cooling) and hands are below our heart and something about lymph system. It goes away in time after run, right?

I found it strange I would get it sometimes in the cold of winter doing long runs.

2008-07-25 5:04 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Elite
3020
20001000
Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
I get this quite often on longer runs.  I just try to remember to run with my hands higher than my heart occasionally to help the blood get back to where it's supposed to be.
2008-07-25 5:06 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Expert
973
5001001001001002525
Berkeley, Calif.
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
I tend to agree with Kathy (says someone who really has no idea). I don't get puffy hands when I run, but I always do when I hike and I hydrate plenty on hikes. Are you a man or woman? Because on hikes I've found the puffy-hand thing only happens to the chicks, never the dudes. When I feel my hands blowing up I usually lift them to about heart-level and squeeze them into fists a few times, and that seems to help.


2008-07-25 6:13 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Expert
938
50010010010010025
Orange County, California
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
Are you getting enough electrolytes ( sodium aka salt)

Too much or too little will cause you puff up. And as you exercise you sweat out the sodium.

If you use only water and no sport drink, chances are its too much plain water, not enough electrolytes.

But I am no expert. Consult your doc or nutritionist.
2008-07-25 6:16 PM
in reply to: #1559665

User image

Extreme Veteran
492
100100100100252525
Cleveland, Ohio
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run

ChrisM - 2008-07-25 3:06 PM hydrating enough? sounds like water retention.

X3.  I have not experienced it but my mom had this problem on her longer runs.  She wouldn't hydrate AT ALL, so I'm thinking that's a big factor. 

2008-07-25 6:37 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
I just experienced this for the first time over the 4th of July weekend on a couple of hikes in the mountains.  I was more dehydrated than I thought I was.  Drinking more water made it go away.
2008-07-28 11:47 PM
in reply to: #1559659

User image

Master
2665
20005001002525
The Whites, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: swollen hands during run
Hold something in your hands.

It happens to me all the time - I cannot hike, run, or otherwise work out with my ring(s) on. I'm not 100% sure on the mechanics, but I've heard it explained that holding something keeps the muscles working (as opposed to all relaxed), which keeps the blood moving around, which keeps the swelling down. Also, you tend to hold your hands higher when you hold something. You could try those handheld water bottles, or just a stress ball or something similar. Doesn't have to be much, just something.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » swollen hands during run Rss Feed