Me vs. My Father

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2009-07-05 10:07 AM

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New Haven, CT
Subject: Me vs. My Father
My father (age 63) is training for a 20K (New Haven Road Race) which is awesome.

However, he REFUSES to hydrate or take nutrition during his long runs.  Today he ran 14 miles in about 2:30 which is terrific BUT he didn't drink a drop of water or take any nutrition.  I had to basically fight with him to even have a solid recovery meal.  I finally "convinced him" (by having his 5 year old grand daughter tell him) to drink a chcolate milk and have some cereal with yogurt and fruit.  I told my father that I think what he is doing is great and support his goals (I frequently run with him) but that not hydrating is plain dangerous and collapsing on the side of the road is not macho. 

Questions: (a) am I being over protective and should just let him be and (b) if we agree, at a minimum, drinking water is important, how do I convince him to do it? 

2009-07-05 10:15 AM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
I don't know how you would go about getting him to hydrate. I do run with a guy that doesn't take any nutrition in when he runs, even for a marathon, and he is a sub 3hr runner.
2009-07-05 10:31 AM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father

It might be a generational thing.  I'm 56 and when I played high school football we were forbidden to drink anything during our hot summer practices.  The coaches told us that drinking water would make us sick and give us cramps. 

You (and your daughter) are doing the right thing to encourage him to drink and eat, but at the end of the day you can't force him to do it.  There's lots of articles here and elsewhere on hydration and nutrition, maybe you could convince him to read some of the current thinking.

Mark

2009-07-05 12:20 PM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
I come from primarily a running background.  It would never occur to me to eat and drink during a 12 mile run.  I would make sure that I drank plenty before and after, but never during.  Just a thought that maybe it's never ocured to him?  When we learn new things, they always seems a bit crazy to us at first. When we see others be so successful with these methods the ideas go from crazy to brilliant.  I'd just show him how these things help you.  For me as a runner the logistics of running with food and water available are hard to imagine.
2009-07-05 2:02 PM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
I don't think you are being over protective - I think you are about your dad and don't want him to get dehyrdrated during a run !

If he'll go for water, he'll have to find out the most comfortable way for him to carry it ... I went through quite a few hydration systems before finally settling on Fuel Belt brand - around the waist.  If he hates carrying water maybe he can stash it every few miles along his course?
2009-07-05 3:34 PM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
Eating may not be improtant, but staying hydrated is, especially for an older guy.  How about getting him a HRM? When he starts to dehydrate, odds are it will affect his HR, and then you have something to point out to him.  I agree with the idea that there may be a generational gap  - being told for years that you can't drink or you will cramp up tends to stick with a person.

2009-07-05 3:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father

He's about my speed and I couldn't imagine getting through a run that length without anything, like a gel, or water - esp in the summer.  My limit is about 1 hour!   Perhaps weigh him before and after, to show how much water he loses?  I think finding a good, quick, article is a good idea.  Ask him if he ever feels lightheaded or even just plain thirsty.  If he says yes, then show him how easy it is to have a gel or two and take a small bottle.  Have you asked him why he persists with this?

2009-07-05 4:02 PM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
I love to go back to the literature and see what "experts" are thinking about this topic.

Here's a pub med reference to an article.

Perfect Storm





2009-07-05 4:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
Showing him a couple of good, solid, scientifically backed articles is probably your best hope.  It's unfortunate that he is so stubborn to the point that he would jeopardize his own health in that manner, but it's his choice.  He may have to learn the hard way.
2009-07-05 8:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
Is there any way you two could happen to be in a running store where you could ask a knowledgable person about what YOU should be consuming during a run? He might listen better to someone else, especially if it's not directed at him.
2009-07-06 5:28 AM
in reply to: #2263285

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New Haven, CT
Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father

Thanks all.... I showed my father the posts and here is his reply: "I find carrying water very uncomfortable.  I would do so if there was a confortable way to do it." 

So.... I guess I need to take him to "Fuel Belt Emporium" and see what they have.

2009-07-06 5:54 AM
in reply to: #2263733

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father

Maybe a hand-bottle would work or a camel-back?

2009-07-06 10:26 AM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
Just an interesting tidbit- my grandma and grandpa have both been hospitalized for dehydration (not while running, just while being.)  While talking with my grandma about hydration, she shared with me that as you get older, your body sends you fewer "thirsty" signals.  This results in my grandparents drinking maybe a glass or two of water per day because they just don't think about it and don't feel thirsty.  I would be miserable if that's all I drank!

Maybe your dad doesn't even know he's dehydrated and needs  more information about other ways to tell that he is dehydrated instead of relying on thirst only.
2009-07-06 11:20 AM
in reply to: #2262588

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Subject: RE: Me vs. My Father
Having just come home from the hospital, and done some research, while I haven't found a solid connection yet many docs think that endurance training and dehydration are contributing factors to DVTs and PEs, blood clots in the lungs.  The hassle of carrying water is better than  hospital admission, IMO
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