Gagging/Dry Heaving while running.

Question
Hi,
My name is Matt, i am 18 years old, i have been running cross-country and track and field since 7th grade. I race the 800, 1600, and 3200 for my events. My problem involves me gagging and dry heaving on some kind of mucus or spit in the back of my throat. This gagging only occurs when i am trying to pick up the pace, or for that matter during the finishing kick on my last couple of laps during a race. I was wondering if there is any solution to this gagging at the end of my races?

Answer
It could be mainly due to a hydration issue that's causing such a thing to occur. I haven't really read anything on this, other than it being called 'cotton mouth', and what most people have said on cotton mouth is that is its caused by a lack of proper hydration before the race. Try to have perhaps 4-8 oz of water just prior to a race to help wet the back of the throat, and perhaps try a little water to gargle the back of your throat with and of course, spit that out.  This may help the issue.

Coach Rick Karboviak
http://1MileNation.com