Too Much Water

I don't know the answer to your question. However, I think you should weigh yourself before and after you run and then take in about 1 and 1/3 that amount.

Drink gatorade or that kids' stuff, i think its called pedialite (?), they both have a good amount of electrolytes.

'. . . totally wiped out all of my electrolytes . . .'

Interesting. You expect a quantifiable answer to an impossible situation.

If you want a good answer, you've got to be way more specific.

If you want the best answer, ask your f***ing doctor who diagnosed your lack of electrolytes.

I read in an Exercise Phys book recently that its nearly impossible to "completely wipe out" your electrolyte count either by drinking too much fluid or sweating too much during exercise.

The body is incredibly capable of reaching an equilibrium and compensating to the point that performance isn't affected.

In fact, sports driks (gatorade, etc) that boast electrolyte replacement are purely using it as a gimmick for sales, b/c it does little to replace them. Your regualr diet, which probably already consists of too many salts, does just fine.

Now, when your talking about CHO replacement, that's a different story, and is where a diluted drink with simple carbs can be helpful.

Waterhead wrote:

Has anyone ever had leg/running problems from drinking too much water? I was drinking about 4.5 Liters of water a day and totally wiped out all of my electrolites.

Yes, several people have in fact died from drinking too much water. It's called [url=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hyponatremia]hyponatremia.

sorry

Yes, I have heard this. Even certain bottled waters have various mineral's in the wrong % and drinking them may destroy your electrolyte balance.

I'm not sure that the result would be as specific as 'a leg problem'. More likely that you suffer exhaustion early in race and find even moderately hot conditions unbearable. You should be able to address the issue but it may take time.

There are short term problems with drinking too much water but there are also these longer term issues. I read once of a race-walker who's career was ruined by continuously drinking the wrong sort of water.

Water is bad for you...check out the link.

Water is best wrote:

In fact, sports driks (gatorade, etc) that boast electrolyte replacement are purely using it as a gimmick for sales, b/c it does little to replace them. Your regualr diet, which probably already consists of too many salts, does just fine.

this is true for long-term recovery, like from one run to another. but as far as rehydration during a run or a soccer game or something like that, the electrolytes accelerate the absorption of the water to speed rehydration.

if you're not going to run again until tomorrow, water and gatorade are pretty much the same. if you need the water in your cells asap, gatorade (prob diluted down a bit) is the way to go.

as far as restoring your electrolyte levels, if you eat normally and ease off on the water intake, your kidneys ought to be able to restore your equilibrium in a day or so. hyponatremia (aka water toxicity) can cause brain damage if allowed to persist, as the brain takes in so much water it literally swells inside the brain case and crushes itself against the inner wall of the skull. not to mention an increase in blood pressure which is harmful to teh kidneys in particular.

as a rule, keep your urine light-clear. you're hydrated at that point so you should be good.