The Thirst

on April 29, 2010
in All Posts

I am so THIRSTY! I cannot stop drinking water.  It’s like a desert in the back of my throat!

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I’ve really taken Century training (I have a 100-mile bike race on May 23) up a notch in the last two weeks, and I feel permanently parched.  I’ve been chugging water like it’s my job, and all signs point to me being in the clear (if you know what I mean).  But the THIRST!  The raging thirst!

 

Do you think this could be an electrolyte imbalance?   Perhaps I’ve been sweating too much in hot yoga?  I am a very salty sweater.  I get rings of salt on my shorts and my headband.  Maybe I need to take salt tablets on long bike rides?  Or pour more salt onto my veggies?!

 

Speaking of sweating, I met Megan for a 5.35 mile run this afternoon.

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We met at our old marathon training stomping grounds!  Oh, we met many times at 6 AM in this one Publix parking lot for long, long training runs. 

 

It’s a beautiful path:

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And it was a perfect day!  I finished 5.35 miles in 56 minutes and change. 

 

Earlier today, I got a lot of work done…

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Guess what I’m brainstorming about?!

 

While thinking (and talking aloud), I snacked on a Green Monster.  I’ve been slacking on my spinach intake, and this tasted so delicious!  It contained 1 cup almond milk, 1 banana, and 2 cups raw spinach.  I PROMISE they taste good!

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I also had some chocolate:

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Post-run, I came back to the apartment and discovered that Hus had made dinner.  He cooked up whole wheat pasta with alfredo sauce, kidney beans, and broccoli.

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But… this was not nearly enough food for me, so I went back into the kitchen and had a big bowl of shredded wheat, cinnamon, honey, and almond milk.

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Much better!

 

Any advice for my thirst issues?  Are you a thirsty athlete, too? This has just come up in the past few days, and I’ve never encountered this problem before!

 

Edited: I am still hungry and now I’m snacking on blue corn chips.  Salt, anyone?

{ 123 comments }

 

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 29, 2010, 8:36 pm

    That’s really odd!! I get super thirsty too but nothing like that. I started drinking a mix of water and Gatorade 2 and that really helped my thirst a LOT. I know it’s not technically needed on shorter runs but hey, if it helps!

  • Evan Thomas April 29, 2010, 8:39 pm

    I put enough salt to insult the average anybody on all my food. My bowl of oatmeal easily has an average person’s DV in it, and all of that is just necessary to keep me hydrated and my blood pressure at a normalish level. The same might be true for you; it’s not too uncommon amongst athletes/runners

  • Ellie April 29, 2010, 8:40 pm

    I get that thirsty ALLLLLL the time (and I don’t even work out outside, or half as hard as you do) and sweat A TON at the gym. I love it! I love how the more you work out, the more “efficient” your body gets at sweating faster! I would definitely recommend just eating more salt. Or drink Gatorade sometimes after particularly sweaty workouts. I think it really hits the spot after sweating A TON. I swear that I can tell when I am “re-electrolyted” as soon as I begin to taste the salt in the Gatorade! When I was little, I’d get headaches in the summer (I still do) and my mom would have me just eat a teaspoon of salt, which I still do sometimes . . . or eat olives, mmmm. I mean, this won’t make you less thirsty but it’ll probably help you feel better hydrated/balanced overall.

  • Laine @ Beets, Butter & Moutaintops April 29, 2010, 8:41 pm

    My yoga teacher recommends coconut water to replace the lost potassium and minerals from sweating and working out. I also eat a lot of salt. I use a pink salt that isn’t as “salty” tasting as table salt.

    • Jenna (Hello, I Love You) April 29, 2010, 8:48 pm

      Agreed! Coconut water helped me a lot, especially when I was doing a lot of hot yoga.

    • Kate @ Spoonful of Vigor April 29, 2010, 8:55 pm

      Also agreed! And coconut water is super-yummy, especially the Zico flavors.

      • Molly @fuelherup April 29, 2010, 10:39 pm

        Good advice! Coconut water is a great natural way to get your electrolytes (as opposed to Gatorade). In my opinion, the taste can take some getting used to, so you may want to put it in smoothies or add a little juice. But after a while it gets yummy!

        • Shelly April 29, 2010, 11:03 pm

          I hated coconut water until I added lime juice- that makes it so much better!

    • rachael April 30, 2010, 9:10 am

      Jumping on the coconut water bandwagon! I am not one to endorse “trendy” health foods and have major guilt about the carbon footprint of coconut water but it really does rehydrate like none other after a super sweaty yoga class. I am a thirsty person in general and tend to get dehydrated pretty easily.

      The first time I tried it I was wierded out by the taste but the 2nd time I loved it. My body must know whats good for it:)

  • Katey April 29, 2010, 8:41 pm

    I passed out earlier this year because my blood pressure was low. You need to make sure you get enough salt while exercising. My blood pressure dropped because I wasn’t hydrated, because I didn’t have enough salt in my body. I make sure to eat pretzels & drink poweraide during workouts.. If your salt is low then you won’t absorb as much water into the body

  • Christy April 29, 2010, 8:42 pm

    Definitely try adding a little more salt to your foods. I used to not add any salt to my food and I was constantly thirsty. My chiropractor/kinesiologist muscle tested me and discovered that I was dehydrated and definitely needed to add salt to my diet. At first it was hard, but he told me to add 1/2 tbl a day. I had to pour it in a little bowl in the morning to make sure I got it in by the end of the day! Now I still drink a lot of water but do not feel so parched. 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite April 29, 2010, 8:43 pm

    I wish I had advice for you. My husband goes for long bike rides/run, he take endurotabs. I think thats what they’re called. It replaces the salt and potassium lost through sweat.

  • Runeatrepeat April 29, 2010, 8:45 pm

    I am a sweaty beast and always thirsty. I love that I read this to mean I can put salt on my food guilt free 🙂

  • Jenny April 29, 2010, 8:47 pm

    Lately I’ve been super thirsty, too! Maybe it’s the change in weather?

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) April 29, 2010, 8:47 pm

    I go through weeks where I am constantly parched. I’ll chug an entire glass of water and instantly be thirsty AGAIN. I think it’s probably the combination of your workouts, the warmer weather and hormones maybe?

  • Meghan@traveleatlove April 29, 2010, 8:47 pm

    I am thirsty all the time and drink SO much water! I work with people who never drink water, and I have no clue how they survive.

  • emptynutjar April 29, 2010, 8:49 pm

    Is your husband vegetarian?
    I feel thirsty all the time too…but not athletic, so not sure what that is about !

  • Julie @ Wearing Mascara April 29, 2010, 8:52 pm

    I’m not thirsty, really because I down SO much water (and I’m sure you do too). However, I am prone to headaches if I don’t drink electrolytes after a run. I love Coconut Water for this 🙂

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 29, 2010, 8:53 pm

    My first guess would definitely be salt- are you drinking something with salt in it on your rides? You feel cooler on the bike because of wind than you do running- maybe you’re sweating more than you know?!

    Also- if you’re drinking a lot of water in a short period of time, it’s going to come out clear whether you’re hydrated or not- just means you didn’t absorb it. 🙂

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner April 29, 2010, 8:58 pm

    I don’t get that thirsty, but I do sweat like a crazy person!! After intense workouts I crave salt…so weird because usually I am a sweet only person 🙂

  • caronae April 29, 2010, 9:04 pm

    I often need to go back for a bowl of cereal after dinner 🙂

    I can get crazy thirsty like that on very humid days when I am doing longer workouts. I find that adding a little salt to my diet helps, and electrolytes — bananas! I also take a magnesium supplement. You could try drinking a mix of gatorade (or other sports drink) and water.

    Good luck!

  • Cyclist Kate April 29, 2010, 9:05 pm

    I’m always flippin’ thirsty. For awhile I was afraid I had diabetes because I’m constantly chugging water and peeing! But I’m pretty much zero risk so I just chalk it up to 1) living in the desert, 2) living at high altitude, 3) being really active, 4) drinking water whenever I’m bored, and 5) just being a thirsty gal! It’s annoying sometimes, but not too big a deal. I might try adding more salt to my foods now, though, after reading that that might help!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) April 29, 2010, 9:06 pm

    maybe you’re thirsty cause you may be getting sick.

  • J April 29, 2010, 9:06 pm

    Just add some more pickles and soy sauce to your life for salt…and make sure to keep potassium in balance too (coconut water has twice the potassium of a banana fyi).

  • Christine April 29, 2010, 9:08 pm

    My husband in a marathoner and has done a half ironman – he swears by the salt tablets. He uses Saltstick brand and it has also helped with muscle cramping on longer workouts.

    • Shelly April 29, 2010, 11:06 pm

      I have a big problem with muscle cramping. It doesn’t happen all the time, but if I up the intensity of my workouts and when it starts getting hotter outside. I definitely woke up in the middle of the night last weekend with the muscle cramp of all muscle cramps in my calf. I also get them in my feet and arms. It SUCKS. I haven’t tried salt tabs but electrolyte drinks (I found some powder I liked that was Powerbar brand once but haven’t seen it in a while) and coconut water helps too.

  • Sarah for Real April 29, 2010, 9:10 pm

    If you decide you need more salt, make sure it’s REAL salt. Most of the canisters of salt at the grocery store are artificially (chemically) produced. Real salt has important minerals that the chemically produced stuff can’t match.

    Sea salt is usually a better option. I get pure, unadulterated salt in the bulk section at my natural foods store. (There are a ton of fancy, expensive culinary Real salts available now, but the bulk section is the best place to go for the affordable stuff.)

    Real salt looks different too. Mine is pink!

    • Sarah for Real April 29, 2010, 9:12 pm

      Oh, I should mention, my salt is from Utah salt flats.

    • Caitlin April 29, 2010, 9:16 pm

      Kosher salt?

      • Sarah for Real April 29, 2010, 9:27 pm

        No, I don’t think most kosher salt is “real”. I do have some in my cupboard for baking and I checked. It’s still just sodium chloride. I’m not super educated on the kosher thing, but I think it’s just kosher because there is no iodine? Bottom line is it’s still chemically produced.

        Real salt will say something like “unprocessed.” It tastes better too!

      • Sarah for Real April 29, 2010, 9:31 pm

        Ah! I just checked my sources, and you want to find “unrefined” salt (be it sea salt or utah salt). It’s the “essential trace elements” that are healthier than the refined, mined stuff sold as table salt.

  • Matt April 29, 2010, 9:11 pm

    I never have problems getting enough salt 😉 I CRAVE it!

  • ashleigh April 29, 2010, 9:13 pm

    I find the more water I drink the thirstier I am! It’s so weird. I am very well hydrated but if I drink a ton of water at work I need so much more when I get home!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) April 29, 2010, 9:16 pm

    I am a thirsty athlete. I tend to feel thirsty until I have some juice or gatorade if I’ve been working really hard between running and weight lifting. I love salty foods, too.

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble April 29, 2010, 9:20 pm

    I’m always thirsty too! I have a 32oz cup of water I keep on my desk at work and I easily fill that thing 4+ times a day! I’m thirsty now just thinking about water.

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) April 29, 2010, 9:23 pm

    Some days I feel like nothing can quench my thirst; I drink a lot of water and go to the bathroom all day long, but it’s good. 😀

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 29, 2010, 9:24 pm

    I feel like I have the opposite problem– I’m never thirsty!! I have to MAKE myself drink water, because I never feel thirsty, even when I know I should.

  • Marianne April 29, 2010, 9:26 pm

    I am a runner and salty sweater who lives in a humid climate like you (Alabama). During the summer months I use Nuun tablets or make my own sports drink with lemon juice and salt. I also have dysautonomia so staying hydrated determines how well I feel and have had my doctor “order” me to increase my salt intake since I tend to have low blood pressure. I have recently started drinking coconut water after my long runs but can’t tell if it help yet…guess I will find out the hotter it gets!!

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) April 29, 2010, 9:27 pm

    I don’t have a ton of advice but I am glad you posted this. I never would have thought of eating more salt. This will totally come in handy as I increase my workouts.

    I’m a salty sweater too. I always thought I was weird!

  • Katherine April 29, 2010, 9:33 pm

    when you workout like you do, you need some good hydration!
    Katherine

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 29, 2010, 9:33 pm

    The only time I ever have this problem is when I eat a lot of salt.I guess it’s a good problem to have since water is so good for you!

  • Janelle April 29, 2010, 9:37 pm

    I can’t remember where I read this (and thus if it has any clout to it at all), but I recall an article claiming that celery is great to help with naturally increasing your sodium levels without actually adding salt to your food…but, like I said, I can’t remember the source, so take this with a “grain of salt!”

  • Heidi April 29, 2010, 9:40 pm

    I have had that same pasta for dinner all this week (made a huge batch and Im the only one who eats it). Except I put in shrimp and not kidney beans. I bet it would be awesome with the beans. I’ll have to try that.

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary April 29, 2010, 9:42 pm

    I am a thirst monster! I have a 24 oz Camelbak bottle and have been drinking 5-8 of them per day ?!

  • Nicole April 29, 2010, 9:43 pm

    I have the same issue when I combine spin classes with >3 miles or running. I don’t really like gatorade but started adding coconut water to my regular water and it did the trick. You could also incorporate coconut water to your green monsters!

  • Vaala April 29, 2010, 9:44 pm

    I also am a very salty sweater. I sweat a lot. Anyway, I’ve been working with my sports dietitian to get my hydration right and we worked out that I have to drink electrolytes (I use a powdered formula mixed in water) when I’m training and no straight water and I am supposed to add salt to my meals but I get a bit slack with that part sometimes. If you drink too much water you can actually make yourself dehydrated which has happened to me a few times before and it can be incredibly dangerous. Basically, if you have to go to the bathroom all the time then you’re dehydrated (weird I know).

    • Julie April 29, 2010, 11:42 pm

      hmmm, I’m always thirsty and I’m always going to the bathroom (like almost every hour or so!)..and I’m a very salty sweater….maybe I need to stop drinking so much straight up water? Makes sense I guess. Thanks for the post!!

  • AshleyK April 29, 2010, 9:57 pm

    (1) COCONUT water! Natural electrolyte beverage that tastes great! Pineapple flavor is YUM!
    (2) CHOCOLATE milk (Low-Fat)! Best “post” shake beverage! My swim coaches have promoted and I swear it quenches my thirst, has great protein & calcium!

    What a gorgeous running path you had! Cheers to you!

  • Brittany April 29, 2010, 10:02 pm

    I agree with some of the others – coconut water is awesome for post workout thirst!

  • Kacy April 29, 2010, 10:03 pm

    I got to thinking earlier that it might be allergies. You were outside a LONG time yesterday on your bike ride so you could have had a higher exposure to allergens.

    Just my two cents 🙂

  • Lisa of Lisa at Home April 29, 2010, 10:03 pm

    Speaking of green monsters, I made your version of the Cherry Bomb today– amazing!!

    Those chips should do the ‘salt’ trick 😉

  • Robyn April 29, 2010, 10:09 pm

    This is crazy because my husband coaches a track team and one of the girls on the team was having issues of light-headedness, low blood pressure, not sweating much, feeling faint. She expereienced all of that today in her prelim races. And after reading these comments, especially Marianne’s we think she might have dysautonomia. Since she has her event finals tomorrow meet tomorrow, we’re going to see about her increasing her salt intake right before each of her races to see if that helps. I’ll have to let you know how it goes.

    • Laura April 30, 2010, 11:45 am

      Oh my goodness! Thats quite a rare condition ;( I hope she gets better!

  • liane April 29, 2010, 10:10 pm

    When I’m finished working out, I’m covered in salt. It’s so attractive.
    The odd thing is that I hate salt in my foods and never add salt to anything, but after a long run, I’m grabbing anything around me that has any bit of salt. Go figure.
    Oh, and I drink insane amounts of water. Litres a day.

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) April 29, 2010, 10:12 pm

    It’s funny that everyone is saying to eat more salt but then reccommend coconut water! Coconut water is higher in potassium than salt…

  • Jess April 29, 2010, 10:14 pm

    tI don’t have any fun comments on salt or sweating…but, rather, a question – – I’m going to make my first green monster rather soon and only have baby spinach in the house. Is this all right, or should I use like…regular spinach? Hmmm.

    • Caitlin April 29, 2010, 10:20 pm

      as long as its raw it sound be fine!

  • Mary April 29, 2010, 10:20 pm

    its so funny that you just posted about this because I was going to just post about the same thing!! I am thirsty ALL of the time regardless of the 2 liter water intake every day. Try some gatorade? or a powerade mix or something that has some electrolytes in it? good for cals on the ride too. you could dilute it with water too or something if it’s too strong. I’m searching for answers too.

  • Lisa April 29, 2010, 10:21 pm

    I bet you Floridians get VERY thirsty exercising in hot weather. I become a thirst monster in the summer time. I was reading a sports book recently that said to find out your “sweat threshold” you weigh yourself right before exercising, exercise really hard and sweat a lot, then weigh yourself immediately after to see how much sweat you lost. Then there’s some equation to find out from that how much water/gatorade you should drink WHILE exercising.

  • elaine! April 29, 2010, 10:22 pm

    Wow… I never would have guessed salt/electrolytes, but there you have it. Interesting about coconut water… I saw it in Whole Foods the other day and wondered what was so great about it. Now I know!

  • Gracie (complicated day) April 29, 2010, 10:36 pm

    I drink water when I’m thirsty, but if I’ve lost a lot of electrolytes in a work out, I know it, because I want orange juice. I never drink juice when I’m thirsty!

  • Hallie April 29, 2010, 10:52 pm

    Ok…I feel really dumb…but why would salt make you less thirsty?

  • Nancy April 29, 2010, 10:52 pm

    I don’t have much to contribute other than to say that I’m also very thirsty. I refill my 24 ounce Camelbak 6-7x/day.

  • Kristin April 29, 2010, 10:55 pm

    I had my first Green Monster yesterday and it was DELICIOUS! So delicious, in fact, that I had another one today. 🙂

  • Amanda April 29, 2010, 10:59 pm

    I love the ‘classic’ green monster, so satisfying after exercise!

  • Wei-Wei April 29, 2010, 11:09 pm

    I’ve been recently going to the traditional Chinese doctor, and apparently she’s trying change my body type from the “cold” type to the “hot” type. So I’ve been drinking her medicine lately, and it’s making me REALLY thirsty. I guess that means it’s working?

    By the way, apparently coconut water is a really good source of electrolytes. It has about the same effect as sports drinks like Gatorade, but it’s a lot healthier for you! Have you tried it yet??

    Have a great evening! 🙂

    Wei-Wei

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 29, 2010, 11:15 pm

    Sounds like you need more salt or something. If I’m still thirsty even when I’m clear *giggle* I drink some juice and other liquids to balance out the nutrients.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 29, 2010, 11:30 pm

    I have to agree with another poster, I have no advice, but I’m glad you brought it up! I’ve learned a lot by reading the comments.

  • Camille April 29, 2010, 11:36 pm

    I remember the photos from last time you ran that path and I kept thinking about how beautiful it was 🙂

  • amanda April 29, 2010, 11:41 pm

    Great job on your training..just make sure when your working out for a long peroid of time that you are not only drinking water. It could be an electrolyte imbalence. Becareful when your only drinking water that you dont slip into hyponatremia.. the symptoms come up all of a sudden. Be safe and good luck 🙂

  • Lauren April 29, 2010, 11:58 pm

    I have been having the problem of the opposite actually. I don’t get very thirsty at all. In fact, sometimes if I even drink a little bit of water I just end up peeing every ten minutes. I have never been a big water drinker and I tend to “forget” that I need to hydrate. Either that or I opt not to drink anything because it is so inconvenient to run out of a class or my job to use the restroom constantly. I’ve been tested for urinary troubles but doctors don’t seem to see anything wrong. They always just tell me that I must be over hydrating despite the small amount of liquid I take in. I try to run at least 3 times a week and I usually cross-train on the weekends. It is frustrating to feel like I am not doing something right with my body. Does anything similar happen to you or anyone else?

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:09 am

      ive never had this problem, but if your current doctor can’t help you, i’d say its time to try a holistic doc 🙂

    • christine June 1, 2011, 7:29 am

      I’m the same way. I rarely ever get thirsty and occassionally drink a 12 oz water, but I eat alot of vegetables. I also rarely need to pee and can go all day without needing to go.I run every other day, and sweat a healthy amount, maybe your body just uses the liquid it gets, efficiently, that’s what I think.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 30, 2010, 12:36 am

    i got nothing on the thirst thing…sorry!!! but i know what you’re working on on your laptop 😉

  • John April 30, 2010, 1:05 am

    I don’t drink what I should when exercising but I’m never as thirsty as you sound. I wonder if it’s because I chug water all day everyday? I drink on average 1 gallon /day.

    You’re working on another OB deal?

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 30, 2010, 1:17 am

    Oh my gosh – I drink water like it is going out of style when I run (and I am only running 5 minutes at a time!!!)

  • Kilee April 30, 2010, 1:59 am

    I have found that drinking water regularly throughout the day instead of just before or after I exercise helps with my hydration. Some time’s I’m accused of drinking “too much” water, but when I was younger I had an episode of severe dehydration and I never want that to happen again! Take care!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 30, 2010, 2:18 am

    I wish I could help with the thirst thing…I’m a ‘non’thirsty’ athlete myself!!
    Oh but that reminds me – it’s getting so much hotter here now and it’s my first season running when it’s hot. I ran yesterday and was SO hot it made my run such a struggle (cos I’m not used to it). Being from Florida, do you have any tips for coping with the heat!?

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:11 am

      run in the AM, wear a CamelBak or hydration belt, and run in the shade 🙂 you literally cannot run at certain times in florida.

  • Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) April 30, 2010, 2:53 am

    I have trouble with this too! I get so thirsty and dehydrated really quickly on runs. It is often 100 degrees at 6am where I live during the hotter months, but I dont have a camelback or any way to purchase one. But if I drink a lot morning of, I of course just have to pee the whole time. And then most days when I work out I end up refilling my 40 ounce water bottle three or four times throughout the day. Yikes!

  • Jess April 30, 2010, 3:25 am

    I’m a very thirsty person in general. It’s like…my thirst is never fully quenched. If you’re upping your training for Century ride, you should definitely consider taking in some extra salt. There’s a condition that athletes get if they DON’T get enough salt replenishment because they’re sweating out so much.

    As much as I dislike the gatorade franchise (since I hate U of Florida), they are effective in electrolyte replenishment. Don’t know if you’d consider it but could be something to check out.

    Good luck with the Century race! It sounds SUPER exciting. Hm, might be something to add on my list of things to do in life.

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:12 am

      haha i love that you hate the gatorade franchise because of UF. me too!!!

  • Orla April 30, 2010, 4:51 am

    Just this week I suffered BADLY from lack of electrolytes following the London Marathon. I was super cautious about taking on plenty of water as the temperature was quite high but as the sport drinks make me throw up when I am running I steered clear. Going through the showers on the course I could taste salt and feel salt in my eyes (obv the sweat)
    I was so exhausted after, I just kept drinking water but paid for it later on. I ended up almost fainting at the airport with the pharmacist attempting to call an ambulance.
    Long story short, I am still recovering, have been unable to eat anything substantial this week and I am still parched.
    I always wondered why the put small low sodium salt sachets in the goody bags post run. Now I know!!!

  • Julia @ British Bride April 30, 2010, 5:17 am

    I get the salt rings too on long runs! Just think though, all that sweating and water is GREAT for the skin!!

    Julia

  • Christie {Honoring Health} April 30, 2010, 6:30 am

    I was going to suggest coconut water but see that has been suggested already. You may also want to try this stuff called Eden Shake. It is a blend of sesame seeds and see vegetables which are packed with the vitamins and minerals we need that we usually get from salt. I really love it on stir fries, wraps and salads.

  • Kath April 30, 2010, 6:32 am

    Drinking plain water encourages you to flush out MORE water, so adding some salt, a sports drink or coconut water (the best!) will help you hold on to the water that your body so ..thirsts for : )

  • Megan April 30, 2010, 6:50 am

    When my running program got more advanced and my long runs longer, I found the bottle of water I would stash along the path just wasn’t cutting it. I started adding 1/2 a Nuun electrolyte tablet to the bottle and that seemed to help. I like these because the taste is more of a hint and did not upset my stomach.

  • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 30, 2010, 7:03 am

    I like fruit2o, especially grape or lemon. My advice is kinda silly- find a bigger bottle that’s also lightweight! (May Not Be Possible) I love that chocolate-mmm! It was so nice that the Hus made you dinner! 🙂

  • Rachel April 30, 2010, 7:22 am

    Hi Caitlin! Do you have any tips for beginner bikers using clipless pedals? I’ve been spinning for years and recently decided to buy a bike and start riding outside. I have look clips and it’s been taking me about 10 minutes to clip in! I have tried practicing in my doorway but I still can’t get the hang of it. I would really appreciate any advice! BTW I love the posts of you and your dad riding together. My dad got me into biking as well! THANKS!!!

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:13 am

      I would say… just go for it. If you’ve practice in a door way, you’ve probably figured out that you need to jam down pretty hard and how to unclip (twist your ankle out). The next step is just trying to ride outdoors. The thing that really helped me is to remember that you dont have to be clipped in to pedal… you can pedal while trying to clip in. Just go for it!

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 30, 2010, 8:06 am

    You are probably craving salt and electrolytes. I would try mixing your water with a little gatorade or adding a few pinches of sea salt into your water. Most endurance athletes lose a lot of electrolytes via their long bouts of exercise and you don’t get those back through water alone.

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 30, 2010, 8:06 am

    You are probably craving salt and electrolytes. I would try mixing your water with a little gatorade or adding a few pinches of sea salt into your water. Most endurance athletes lose a lot of electrolytes via their long bouts of exercise and you don’t get those back through water alone.

  • Jewels April 30, 2010, 8:08 am

    Haha am I the only one that hates water?

  • Mary April 30, 2010, 8:12 am

    Caitlin,
    Long-time reader and as of yesterday, first time green monster-drinker! I love it-such an easy way to get some greens in my diet. Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:14 am

      yay i love it!

  • Rachel April 30, 2010, 8:15 am

    Hey! I’m also a salty sweater (ha!) and I don’t just sweat, I RAIN! But, I’m also a Sports Dietitian – and on your long bikes you should not only bring enough food (You should be eating 1 gel or 3 blocks every 50 minutes) but you should also be drinking pure sports drink. No water. Water is only for less than 1 hour exercise. This will help your intensity, speed, and endurance.

    Right after a long ride you should refuel with a Recovery Drink (something with the ratio of 4 carbs to 1 protein, like Endurox or low fat chocolate milk!). Your glycogen stores are supremely depleted and you need to be top notch for your next workout.

    And don’t forget about your pre-exercise snack. Definitely have something easy to digest (simply carbs like pretzels, toast, banana… NOT a lot of fat: peanut butter is probably one of the “least good” food items you can have before a workout). Have this about 45 minutes before you go out.

    I did a half Iron Man last year and these tips got me through!

    Good luck!

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 10:14 am

      this was super helpful. thank you!

    • Tricia April 30, 2010, 12:17 pm

      Thanks Rachel, that helped me too! I am also a RD but not sports. Quick question..I also experience this weird toe/foot cramping thing..lack of salt? I am not a big salt person and am a crazy RD that doesn’t want the calories from gatorade plus the yucky taste but have embraced G2 on some extra hard or hot training days. Any thoughts?

      • Rachel April 30, 2010, 1:19 pm

        Cramping can absolutely be link to salt-depletions. Are you a salty sweater? Do you have dried salt on your cloths or skin after an intense traning period? If so, this could indicate that you need more sodium than what you get from G2. In all honesty, I would recommend going with full-force Gatorade, not the watered down stuff, because lack of enough fuel in the form of glucose from drinks or gels can also cause cramping.

        I totally understand about the calories – but on those extra hot days it may be worth it to pick your fueling up a notch! Have you noticed your hydration status going into the days that you have ‘toe’ cramping? Can you link it to not enough fluid through out the day?

        Try this: Weigh yourself before you run (hopefully naked!), then weigh yourself after (also naked!) and see how much weight you’ve lost. Then subtract the amount of fluid you drank (16oz = 1lb). That’s the total # of water you lost during your exercise. For every pound you lose you need to rehydrate with 16 oz G2 (for the sodium – as someone said before, if you rehydrate with just water you’ll actually become more dehydrated!).

        Try increasing potassium too, this can be a culprit of cramping.

        You’re the first I’ve heard of with Toe cramping though!

  • Erica April 30, 2010, 8:32 am

    I am a very salty sweater as well and it is very likely an electrolyte imbalance. The thing that helped me was some electrolyte tabs that I put in my water called Nuun. They are slightly flavored, fizzy like alka seltzer but have a ton of potassium and sodium.

  • Joanne April 30, 2010, 8:43 am

    That’s really interesting. Did you try to google it to see what your body maybe trying to tell you?
    I have the opposite problem…I sweat very little and I rarely get thirsty. I have to make a very conscious effort to keep drinking water (which I don’t like unless it has lemon in it).

  • Kristen April 30, 2010, 9:05 am

    I’m another fan of Nuun. I get REALLY salty when I sweat and definitely need the electrolyte replacement. But since you’re on a budget, you could also just try taking some salt packages the next time you’re in a take-out restaurant. Take the salt with a good amount of water while you’re on the bike and there you go 🙂

  • Kalli@fitandfortysomething April 30, 2010, 9:18 am

    My husband who races uses salt tablets. Are you drinking eletrlytes too? And yes you should be adding salt to your food. That would help!

  • Therese April 30, 2010, 9:20 am

    Thanks so much for bringing this up! I have low blood pressure and am also a salty sweater and so everyone’s comments are super helpful. Methinks I need to step up the electrolytes in my diet, especially during training! I don’t tend to add any added salt to my diet but I’m starting to think that, as a runner, I probably should!

    LOVE it when the men-folk make dinner! It could taste horrible and I’d still eat it with a smile! 😀

  • Rachel (Suburban Yogini) April 30, 2010, 9:22 am

    Two words. Coconut water. It helped me a ton 🙂

  • Jenn (from j3nn.net) April 30, 2010, 9:28 am

    Yes, definitely make sure your electrolytes are balanced! Singer Bret Michaels recently had a brain hemorrhage from a salt deficiency (he’s diabetic to boot). Be sure to drink a sports drink like Gatorade liberally or make your own. Maybe pack some salty energy bars, like Clif MoJo and such. You probably lose a TON of salt and potassium on your long runs and rides, plus yoga.

    Good luck,
    Jenn

  • Lauren April 30, 2010, 9:30 am

    I would mix gatorade and water 1/2 and 1/2. It will help a lot! And especially because you do exercise so much, and you do get a lot of potassium, you need to ensure you are getting enough salt to maintain the correct Na:K ratio.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) April 30, 2010, 9:34 am

    I’ve had better longer runs now that I mix my water with POM juice. Helps keep my energy up. I’d guess that because your activity level has sky rocketed so has your thirst:) Sounds like coconut water’s a popular option, though!

  • Amisha April 30, 2010, 9:41 am

    What you need is some homemade lemonade to take with you on your bike rides. Just mix both sugar and salt in there. It will really help with the thirst since salt makes you retain water.

  • Susan April 30, 2010, 9:43 am

    I don’t have much to add – totally agree about the salty foods as well as potassium (coconut water is the best for that, and so are white potatoes). I’m a salty sweater too and I will feel ill after long rides when I lose a lot of electrolytes. And don’t forget magnesium! Off the top of my head, I know pumpkin seeds are rich in it. As a side note – have you been getting muscle cramps? That’s related to electrolytes as well…

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story April 30, 2010, 9:54 am

    I always feel the need to assure people that Green Monsters are good too! 🙂

  • ActiveEggplant April 30, 2010, 10:00 am

    I found that using Elite Drops worked for me during marathon training and on long bike rides. This brand doesn’t change the taste of your water, add back lots of electrolytes and salt & all that jazz. I tried using watered-down gatorade before but the sweetness gives me an upset stomach after a while. Hope you find something that helps!

  • Rae April 30, 2010, 11:22 am

    Try Nuun tabs in your water bottles on bike rides…replaces electrolytes and they are only abouit 5 cals each. It makes your water taste lke nice flavored water…i love orange ginger!

  • Kelley April 30, 2010, 11:39 am

    When I train for marathons (probably the same for cycling), I actually eat a salt packet every hour and a half. Just rip it open, eat, and take a swig of water. 🙂 It really does help. Your muscles will thank you too.

  • Bree April 30, 2010, 1:14 pm

    I get salt that dries on my skin – definitely a salty sweater! I drink a TON of water, too. I found that the Target brand Airborne type fizzy drink mix has a great balance of electrolytes.

  • Megan@EatScrapRun April 30, 2010, 1:25 pm

    Was the title of the post inspired by Twilight? 🙂 That’s what it made me think of!

    • Caitlin April 30, 2010, 1:30 pm

      hahha yes.

  • eatingRD April 30, 2010, 6:11 pm

    so sorry if this has been repeated, but yes you need salt! I am a salty sweater too and end up with the crusty stuff all over my face. You may be drinking a lot of water but because there isn’t much sodium you probably aren’t retaining it well and peeing it all out! hence all the thirst, plus you could risk hyponatremia. I’ve found that most electrolyte drinks are actually low in sodium for salty sweaters and although I enjoy coco water, it too is too low in sodium for athletes (I add a few pinches of salt to mine). Most people can definitely get their salt needs in foods, but I also like those salt tabs and endurolytes during longer and hotter rides. I am also going to experiment with Infinit Nutrition drinks before the century because you can make your own formula and they tend to be higher in sodium. Weighing yourself before and after can be a good gauge and I believe another reader mentioned this 🙂

  • eatingRD April 30, 2010, 6:14 pm

    I also just had a thought of how you used to eat a bit of deli meat you said and now of course don’t right? well deli meat usually has quite a bit of sodium, so maybe you need to add that sodium back in with vegetarian sources 🙂

  • Liesl Hypki April 30, 2010, 7:30 pm

    I am a very salty sweat”er” too. You definitely need to be taking in some type of electrolytes especially on long runs or rides. Sweating lots of salt is a strong indication that your body needs more. I’d try Gatorade, or another electrolyte drink…I usually mix mine with half water, half gatorade…and it works great!

  • Eva Paquette May 4, 2010, 11:37 am

    Hi Caitlin,
    Regarding electrolytes, have you ever tried Nuun?
    http://www.nuun.com/
    It doesn’t have sugar and it comes in many great flavors. My husband and I switched from gatorade to Nuun about a year ago. It’s cheaper than gatorade, and you can control the concentration.
    I’ve never commented before, but I really enjoy your blog and your recipes. Thanks for blogging!! (Also, I REALLY appreciate your great grammar and correct spelling, which are my blog-pet-peeves)
    YOU ARE STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL TODAY AND BEYOND!!!
    Eva

    • Caitlin May 4, 2010, 2:17 pm

      hahah thank you!

      i have not tried it but im on the lookout now!

  • geno July 5, 2011, 6:25 pm

    howdy! great blog and thank you for sharing great info. regarding hydration, this is what i found as a runner/cyclier from the north, living in the deep deep south (and it’s july). water alone does not cut it for a champion sweater like me. like you, after drinking copious amts of water, i’m still thirsty. i think i read that you drink 1/2 water, 1/2 gatorade mix in one of your other posts. i like gatorade as is, but i take a swigs of water between the gatorades. also, a post-run banana is an awesome and delicious recovery snack. i think the carbs + potassium helps my body on it’s road to recovery. i know people who swear by oranges and i’ve heard coconut too so i guess everyone is a bit different (isn’t variety great?). lastly, i dunno how you feel about supplementation; but for races and some hard training runs, i drink cytomax. it’s pricey and i’m poor so i only use it for events and very rarely for training runs. i think it cuts down on my run times but mostly, i think it helps stretch my endurance.

    thanks again for the great info you’re sharing! i wish you luck in your coming events!

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