So, you're running a marathon. I know it's a stretch, but just imagine. You've made a mental to do list: 1)take deep breaths, in the nose out the mouth; 2) Keep a steady pace; 3)Stay SUPER hydrated.
Sounds like a good safe way to make your first marathon a safe, healthy, and fun experience, right? Well, that's what many runners think. The first two ideas are good and safe tips for maximum performance in any running event, but in the past decade doctors and runners have been faced with the ironic problem of runners drinking too much water. Mark Robinson suffered from Hyponatremia (too much water) in 2004 while running his first Boston marathon. He had drunk a gallon before the race, and stopped at every station for a couple of cups of water. By mile 23 he could no longer run and had to walk the rest of the race. Thinking water would help his nausea and leg cramps, he continued to drink more water after the race. Eventually, he was hospitalized and had a near death experience. Hyponatremia usually occurs when runners, such as Mark Robinson, are over zealous to "avoid becoming dehydrated, so they may end up drinking so much that they dilute their blood. Water rushes into cells, including cells of the brain. The swollen brain cells press against the skull, and the result can be fatal."
According to Dr. Arthur Siegel, the chief of internal medicine at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.,"perhaps a dozen hyponatremia deaths had been recognized, according to informal communications among doctors at recent marathons." This is a serious issue for uninformed marathon runners. New York City Marathon directors, as a preventative action, have added to their marathon handbook the amount of water suggested for the marathon--eight ounces for every 20 minutes. As race directors, running magazines, and internet articles address this issue more and familiarize the average runner to the dangers of hyponatremia, hopefully deaths from hyponatremia will cease. So when you run your next marathon, drink water, but keep a handle on yourself, and save some for the fish.