INSTRUCTIONS & MEDICAL ADVICE

Please click HERE to view your Half Marathon Instructions. It is crucial you take the time to read these instructions carefully before race day.

IMPORTANT MEDICAL ADVICE from Dr Aisling Diamond ahead of the 2023 Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon.

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DO NOT RUN IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A POSITIVE COVID-19 RESULT, EXPERIENCED ANY ILLNESS, INJURY OR FEEL OUT OF SORTS WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 28 DAYS OF THE EVENT

The intention of this advice section is to help you prepare for a successful day and a performance you can look back on with pride. The advice is given in good faith to help you enjoy the day.

The event places huge stresses on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and heat regulating systems. Energy demands can be increased by a factor of 10-15 fold. Successful participation requires adequate acclimatisation and training as well as fluid and fuel intake.

If you have any medical problems that you fear may interfere with your training programme, or make it risky to take part in the Marathon then discuss them with your GP. This advice section supplements anything he or she may say.

  1. Training.

Remember the principle of training is to gradually increase the intensity and duration making sure that you have a recovery or rest time in order for the body to recover. Therefore:

- Increase training gradually so that you do not suffer excessive fatigue; make sure you build in rest days and try and not have a sudden increase in intensity or duration of your runs.

- If you have flu, a fever, or a tummy bug, avoid training until fully recovered. Training or racing while you have a temperature or the flu can put you at risk from heart inflammation which may be irreversible. Rest until you are better then start at a lower mileage and intensity and build up gradually. It can be counterproductive to try and catch up on lost mileage because it may cause further problems.

- To reduce risk of injury train on soft flat surfaces whenever you can parklands, footpaths, fields.

- Injury. Do not attempt to train if you are carrying an injury. Seek advice from your GP. Replace running with biking or swimming if possible while you recover.

  1. Diet.

- Large doses of supplementary vitamins and minerals (such as iron) are not essential and produce no benefit if you are on a good mixed diet. The addition of a supplement has been linked to the death of a runner. At the time of the death this supplement was legal.

  1. Fluids.

- The recommendations on fluid replacement have changed considerably over the last few years. Although you need to replace fluids lost in sweat there is a danger of drinking too much fluids which may reduce your blood sodium levels and make you unwell. This problem is more likely to occur if you are running for more than 4 hours, take on more fluid than you lose, or if you are taking particular tablets in clouding non steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets (if you require anti-inflammatory medication you should consider withdrawal).

- Try and train to drink while you run. There is emerging evidence that iced drinks after exercise may be associated with the development of abnormal heart rhythms. Please consider resisting drinking large volumes of iced drinks.

- The sports drinks with carbohydrate concentrations are designed to provide calories in a form that can be absorbed with a decent proportion of fluid. You will need to experiment to find one that suits you.

- Alcohol is dehydrating. A pint of beer produces more than a pint of urine and spirits have an even worse effect. Drink non-alcoholic drinks before you train and immediately afterwards.

- Weighing yourself before and after your training runs will give you some idea of your fluid losses; hotter conditions will mean higher fluid loss and cooler conditions lower fluid loss.

  1. Clothing.

- Wear comfortable clothing. Trendy clothing with sewn-on trimmings can rub your groin and nipples until they bleed. Wear kit that is comfortable. Don’t wear it from new - wear it and/ or wash it before you run in it. Vaseline applied to these areas can protect the skin.

- Find shoes that are comfortable over long distances. Remember the shock absorbency of your shoes will diminish as they get older. Wear the right shoes for you.. Take along your old trainers for inspection. By the time of the marathon you will have a pair that are comfortable and not worn out.

-Please ensure the skin on your feet has hardened up before Race Day.

  1. On the day.

- Do not participate if you have received a positive COVID-19 result, feel unwell, have a fever, have had diarrhoea, vomiting or chest pain within the preceding days. You will certainly not perform well and you will put yourself and your future running at risk. Remember running with fever can cause serious complications. You can defer your entry with a medical note from your GP.

- If you have a medical problem which may lead to an emergency, such as fits, diabetes, asthma or if you are on any medication e.g. blood pressure tablets write details on the reverse of your number. Please email details before the race.

- Wear appropriate clothing for the weather. On a cold, wet day you can become very cold if you slow down or walk; a hat and gloves prevent heat loss and can be carried if not worn.

- If it is hot wear loose mesh clothing, start slowly, and pick out the shade on the course.

  1. At the Finish.

- Do not stand about: This will certainly make your blood pressure go low and you are likely to faint. Keep walking or sit down for a few minutes. You will tend to get cold once your muscles stop working so once finished, go to the Bag Collection Area or wherever your clothes are stored and change into warm, dry clothing. Foil blankets do not stop you from getting cold.

- Drink as soon as you can because your body will be short of water and sugar; sports drinks, cereal bars, or your favourite post training snack.

- If you feel faint lie down.

  1. Medical Aid.

- Train sensibly and follow this simple advice and you will have done a lot to avoid the need for medical aid.

- If you drop out make for a first aid point where you will be ferried back to the finish. There are medical teams placed throughout the Marathon route, please see the map provided.

Conditions Associated with Marathon Running.

1 . Exertional Hyponatraemia (Water Intoxication)

This presents several hours after the start of the race as a result of excessive fluid intake with headache, mental confusion and often vomiting and in severe cases, epileptic seizures. It can be a problem with non-elite runners drinking too much fluid before, during and after the race. Please ensure you train using the fluid you will drink during the marathon. Risk factors include female, low body weight, exercise duration greater 4 hours and environmental weather conditions.

  1. Hypothermia and Hyperthermia

See above

  1. Exercise associated collapse

One of the common findings with the above conditions is ‘altered mental status’. What this means is that you start to feel unusual and not the ‘norm’. You may feel giddy or confused. More importantly your friends or running buddies may notice a change in behaviour. If this happens slow down and go for the nearest medical area. If you buddy cannot continue phone for an ambulance via 999. We have a service within the marathon that enables ambulances from Saint John Ambulance to be sent to your assistance.

  1. Cardiac Arrest

This occurs in 1:50,000 runners. The runners are normally affected in the later stages of the marathon. The most common cause is coronary artery disease. This affects the arteries supplying the heart muscle. If you have a family history of angina or heart attacks please consult your GP before running. Cardiac arrest can occur in young runners. The cause is usually a condition which affects the heart such as HOCM or congenital problems. Please consult the cardiac specialist who manages your condition before running and ensure you email details to the organisers of the Marathon. If you experience chest pain in the weeks before the race please consult your GP. Please do not ignore this. One of the younger runners who suffered a cardiac arrest in South Africa had experienced chest pain in the week prior to the Marathon. If you experience chest pain while running please stop and notify the first aid team. There are numerous teams situated throughout the course of the Marathon.


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