Nausea during running

Question
Message:
I hope you can give me some advice on how to prevent nausea during running. I have an 11yo son who is already an accomplished middle distance runner. His PR's include a 5:02-1500m; 5:25- mile; 10:45-3K. However, since starting the fall XC season he has been experiencing bouts of nausea almost every time he runs. Sometimes he is running hard, and sometimes easy, but almost always will experience a feeling of nausea half way thru the run. This causes him to slow his pace until it passes or becomes tolerable. I know dehydration and lactic buildup can cause nausea, however it even occurs when he is running easily on an indoor track not yet in O2 debt or even sweating. We have tried altering his pre race meal from running on an empty stomach, to varying the time: 1, 2, and 3 hrs after eating. He avoids high protein, high fiber and fat before racing. I can't figure out what has changed from the outdoor season to now.  He finds this extremely upseting as he has been very competitive in the past and now feels limited in his ablility to train and perform. Any suggestions on where I can find info on other possible causes, tips for prevention, treatment, etc..

Thanks!


Answer
Hi Vince
You sure do have a super star in the making,but i would precede with caution.I'm a little mystified myself.One thing i would say is at 11 years old his body is still developing and maybe it can't keep up with the demands on the respitory.Weak abs play a very big role on oxygen transport and this could be contributing to the situation.There is never one thing that produces a good or bad result.There are a number of factors.I think also he does not have a good solid understaning of the pace necessary to stay out of od which leads to nausea.He probably is so competitive that he doesn't focus on his race and pace and goes over edge to far.I don't no who his coach is or what kind of schedule he follows,But working on some pace intervals of 400,800,1200 and paying close attention to even pace so he gets use to a comfortable rythim hitting his splits on target.Based on his pr's i really don't think there is anything wrong with him.I really think it lies in and around inexperience,over competive,uderstanding of pace,desire to please,respitory and musculature still developing.Vince if you would like to call me and discuss it further,i would be happy to at no charge to you.You can get contact info on my web site.
Hope this helps a little vince,but as i said feel free to call any time.I'm in albuquerque new mexico.

The very best

John
www.rentacoachinternational.com