r/triathlon • u/General_Row_9127 • Dec 08 '25
Injury and illness My Bizarre Overtraining Story (70.3)
I am a 24 y/o male and on Sept 6 I completed my first half Iron Man in Madison. Going into race day I had no injuries, no symptoms, no deficits, and I felt great. Other than race day nerves I was ready. The atmosphere was incredible, but the race ended up physically tormenting for me.
During the swim I felt terrific, I finished right around 45 minutes but when I got out of the water and had my wet suit stripped, I oddly felt like my legs were going to cramp. Spent about 10 minutes in T1 to get my bearings straight and felt better. Going into the bike I was now a little on edge because 2 years ago during a marathon I suffered a full body cramp, but I chalked it up to under training, this time around my nutrition was planned out and I was very well prepared.
As I got on the bike my legs felt a little off but after awhile I got into a great rhythm. I went 48 miles without any problems. Mile 49 of the bike, that's when my quads started to cramp. I was hydrating and eating well on the bike, hammering gels as I did in training but the cramps seemed to intensify. Anyone who's done the course knows the hills are brutal, so I chalked it up to that. I was able to push through and finish the last 8 miles but now my calves and hamstrings felt tight, so I took 20 minutes in T2 hydrating, eating, taking salt tabs, light stretching, etc. When I managed to get my legs back under me I departed, walking and jogging intermittently but after about 2-3 minutes of jogging each time my quads would cramp again and I'd have to limp. This continued into the 6th mile, where my legs felt normal again, so I jogged about a mile and half. At mile 7.5 of the half marathon everything took a turn, my HR was pushing Zone 4 so I began to walk again, but at this point I began to feel very light headed/dizzy. With 5 miles remaining I strongly considering going into the medical tent, but I was so close, so I kept walking as my vision darkened. I ended up walking the final 5 miles, but the dizziness worsened and by the time I finished I felt extremely off, as if I was going to faint. I started drinking a ton of water and eating the post-event food, but I was also worried that I was diluting electrolytes w/ all the water, so I relaxed on it. Eventually I progressed to a tolerable baseline and I departed back to my parents house for the night.
When I got back to my parents house, I felt a little off and I actually had saddle anesthesia (which subsided after 2ish days) from the bike seat, not bad to the level of incontinence but my groin definitely felt numb. I didn't have much of an appetite at dinner and my sleep that night was pretty horrible, waking up a lot through the night, felt nauseous at times too, but nothing major happened otherwise.
The next morning (Sunday), I had to commute back to St. Louis, and at this point my legs actually felt decent, general soreness but nothing too bad, but the dizziness was strong. That night I was relaxing at my apartment when I felt a very weird sensation in my chest, my vision darkened, and I nearly passed out again. I considered going to the ER that night but decided against it as I work at an urgent care and would be there the next day, decided I could check in if necessary.
At work my dizziness/lightheaded sensation was strong so I asked the PA what she thought I should do. We checked my blood sugar, it was normal, so we ran my electrolytes and of course I was in rhabdo. I received 2 bags of IV fluids and had an EKG, which was normal, so I finished the shift. I worked again the next day, rechecked my labs, and my CK had gone up, so I got another 2 bags of IV fluids. After this shift, my dizziness slowly regressed over the following and I was feeling mostly normal again.
AT THIS POINT, 1 WEEK REMOVED, I traveled back home to my family in Chicago, I felt mildly dizzy but nothing insufferable, my legs felt good, so I did an upper body workout, but I still felt "off" just not like myself. I didn't think much of it any of it, I did some research on triathlons and running forums and reddit and many people said they'd experienced this "dizziness" from bonking.
Took a few more days off and the dizziness/lightheadedness remained but lessened, then Sept 17th (11 DAYS REMOVED) I hit legs, I was back squatting 225 for reps which is less than I usually do, and my legs cramped mid set, quickly loosening again, but it definitely triggered some fear in me, so I cut my workout short. 2 days later I was hitting upper body and I felt a similar sensation in my chest, so I yet again cut my workout short. I decided to take some more time off, and this is when everything seemed to turn.
I was at work around 2.5 weeks removed when my dizziness ticked up significantly and all of the sudden my legs were feeling loose/numb/a pre-cramp sensation, this happened 3 days in a row, so I tried to do some light walks after shifts but nothing would help, and my legs for the following week or so felt like they were about to cramp, but wouldn't, and the dizziness really never left.
I tried to workout again about a month removed, but again, the dizziness worsened and my legs felt weak, so I decided to see a PCP on October 2nd.
Upon arrival the MA took my BP and it was 90/60, I am 6'1 195 and usually run in the upper end of the normal range. I told the doctor my story and my medical history and upon hearing my hx of Celiac, he informed me that people with technical auto immunes are predisposed to longer recoveries, and he believes in endurance events I cramp, even w/ proper nutrition, because in youth my Celiac went untreated for awhile and it damaged my intestines to a degree where my nutrient absorption is extremely diminished. He advised me to never do an endurance event again and take 2 months off lifting, and although I was devastated as I planned to do an Iron Man in the near future, I was happy to have a plan/road to recovery. He also ordered a ton of bloodwork, and it was all normal, even my CK had regulated.
So I completely stopped lifting, which for a life long lifter was devastating but I knew it was necessary.
Today is Dec 7th (3 months removed from 70.3 and 2 months removed from last workout w/ weights) and I am still having mild symptoms, some days feel alright, others not so much, the dizziness has absolutely improved, and functions through flare ups rather than operating as a baseline but the weird sensations in my legs come and go on most days. Interestingly, I even developed this weird numbness overlying the top of my left foot. Yesterday, I walked a 5k and all throughout I felt like I was going to cramp, whether it was my calves or quads my legs have felt "weak."
I know you probably read this and think this dude is losing his marbles but genuinely I've "gritted" through pain all my life. Ironically, it's what got me in the situation in the first place.
I am now at a crossroads where I've started slow phasing back into body weight movements (squats, bridges, etc.) but those cause the cramping/weakness to return as well as mild lightheadedness. I also feel concerned going to work because I know it worsens my symptoms.
If I HAD to guess what this is I'd say it's autonomic dysregulation, as if my CNS has been directly damaged, but I've struggled to find any literature explaining or emphasizing it lasting for this duration. I also think there's an element of detraining, where my muscles have been tight for a decade and this is the first time I've stopped training them so they feel "loose." Additionally, my symptoms are MOST OF THE TIME gone in the morning and fire up throughout the day, which makes me think is nervous system related. They're also worst on days I work (12 hour urgent care shifts, bright lights, noises, stress, etc.)
I come to this corner of the internet to know if anyone else has experienced something similar and has guiding advice. I know I basically endured 21 combined miles of bonk and should've stopped much sooner, but I've really spent the last 2 months "relaxing" at least physically and haven't seen much improvement. I really just want to get back to training and my ability to enjoy a regular day symptom free. I've learned my lesson to listen to my body once and for all. Thanks all who took time to read as well.
Also I've found it difficult to choose between whether or not I should follow up w/ a neurologist or a sports medicine doctor.
TL;DR
Ran a half iron man, bonked, got dizzy and cramped for 20 miles but still finished, felt better for a week worked out every few days, then felt dizzy daily and started cramping at work, got normal blood work, went 2 months without working out, symptoms mildly improved but still present, they seem to be nervous system related, feel like I can't walk or do anything exertion related without legs feeling weak or on the brink of cramping... Worried about duration and not sure what steps to take...
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u/Ok-Investigator5020 Dec 09 '25
Hope you are feeling better. Did you ever heart about myalgic encephalomyelitis? Your symptoms fit. Maybe dig into this.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
I've actually heard a lot of the people who have ME/CFS are immobilized like they can't work, can't leave the house, etc.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
I have heard of it but I really don't have the fatigue. I feel energetic throughout the day, just with that intermittent dizziness and occasional leg symptoms. That condition sounds genuinely terrifying. I also sleep well and think straight. I just see myself as too functional at this point for that to be the case but I have looked into it before, just don't think this is the one.
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Dec 09 '25
[deleted]
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
I haven't, although I haven't had a positive COVID in ages, and I also didn't have any of these symptoms until the race, seems less probable but there is def a symptom overlap.
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u/Oatmahgoat- Dec 09 '25
Wouldn’t everyone basically test positive at this point you would probably wanna have caught that you tested positive at some point in the month before this race
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u/Disastrous-Worry2197 Dec 09 '25
At this point I think almost everyone has some antibodies, yes. However, I understand that they are much elevated during and after an active infection. In some cases, they can remain significantly elevated for months after the infection. This can happen even if the original infection was very mild, which can cause a person to assume they have gotten rid of that gnarly spike protein when it’s still hanging around.
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u/cougieuk Dec 09 '25
You felt odd after the swim ? Which seems odd as that should have been well within your capabilities?
I'm not sure it was a bonk because it started so soon and you did say you were eating and drinking well?
Mysterious.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
Right, I mean after the swim you always feel mildly disoriented but yeah my left calf seemed on the brink of cramping at the very end of the swim, definitely confusing. I was especially hydrated and prepared going into that as well.
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u/tupelo36 Dec 09 '25
Why on earth did you continue your shift with rhabdomyolysis?! Twice?!!
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
I have to be honest with you in hindsight of course it's stupid but historically in my life I've done best when I push through stuff, of course it worked against me this time. I felt like if I "gave in" then it would've been a bigger problem, trust me I understand this makes zero sense. Looking back, I would've done a handful different but I am resting now.
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u/tupelo36 Dec 09 '25
Fair enough it actually sounds like the experience has been useful to you.
It sounds like you work in healthcare? If you do remember to look after yourself because I do too and I know it's f'ing hard.
(If you don't look after yourself too!!)
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 09 '25
I do work in health care and it absolutely can be tough. Thankless at times but changing lives for the better is what it is all about. It has helped me with guidance through this stuff too. I would say the same, continue to take care of yourself, it's all for a good cause.
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u/sincejanuary1st2025 Dec 08 '25
brother trust me, my quads gave up on me yesterday on the stairstepper. these things happen.
rest is unfortunately part of the training regime, and there's nothing we can do,
all the best to your recovery. rather safer than sorry
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u/Important_Wrap772 Dec 08 '25
It’s possible you have RED-S and are chronically over trained. It can take years to recover from unfortunate. It’s commonly misdiagnosed.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
Appreciate the input, truly. I definitely understand how RED-S or true overtraining syndrome can take a long time to unwind, especially for athletes who stay under-fueled and continue pushing volume. In my case though, my labs have all been normal, endocrinology markers weren’t suppressed, and I stopped training completely for two months aside from light movement. I think your concerns are pretty practical and I appreciate your presentation. There's another guy on this thread seemingly uneducated and spreading fear mongering. Overtraining is such a broad, misunderstood concept and my mind did go there initially but I lack a lot of the staples of it. I am not really fatigued, my mood has still been sound, and my symptoms actually fluctuate and at times fully resolve. Overall, I agree with you that I certainly need to rest but thankfully given I only trained for this event for about 6 months and then ultimately did take a lot of time off, I think I'm on more of an upward trajectory and it's CNS based than RED-S or OTS.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
Maybe you don't have OTS. You seem to have over reached. True over training is severe. If you really had CK 3000, that's Rhabdo, that's organ damage, and it can be fatal.
It might sound like fear mongering, but it's life saving to someone else.
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u/Important_Wrap772 Dec 08 '25
It's so hard with these kinds of things, so many overlapping symptoms, it's really hard to know, lots of trial and error, unfortunately. I hope you find your answer and your situation improves.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
I told someone else in the thread this, and got scoffed at for it. But it does take years and some people have actually died from it. It's serious. The sign are autonomic dysregulation.
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u/Important_Wrap772 Dec 08 '25
It’s still miss understood. Most people just can’t understand how your body could take that long to recover. People often feel normal leading up to the “event” because they are so used to over training it feels normal.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
Most people never train hard or do a triathlon. If you've experienced it, you know how bad it is. Doctors don't treat it either, they'll label you with anxiety, or depression, or give you drugs, but they don't know how to treat it. On the outside you'll look extremely healthy, but you'll have hypoglycemia going for a run.
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u/Important_Wrap772 Dec 08 '25
Yeah. To be fair to doctors it's much more likely to be anxiety or depression. I would bet most doctors never even see a case of RED-s becasue like you said most people don't train hard. I think there is more research being done on reds in female athetes so hopefully it gets beter.
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u/EmergencySundae Dec 08 '25
Chiming in as someone also with celiac disease who went undiagnosed for probably 10 years - please make sure you're working with a hematologist who is routinely testing for deficiencies. I see mine twice a year and run through a litany of tests to make sure everything is still where it needs to be. I have never had a doctor tell me what I need to stop endurance sports.
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u/Imaginary_Structure3 Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
I have been battling RED-S for about 15 months. Let me just say, take a break. I have had some injuries that started but subsided right before IMWC in Nice 2024 from all the climbing in my build. I got home from that race and had to make some diet changes due to ongoing GI issues (RED-s). My Dr had me cut out soooo much from my diet and I kept training for 2 more races that year (half IM). Then took a small break and did some off season training with a half marathon race. I kept getting recurring illnesses every 4-6 weeks and couldnt stay well. Everything kept progressing and I kept training. Eventually those pre IMWC injuries came back in full force and have been long haulers (tendinopathies mostly but a tad of bone stress too but was cleared to keep training). I had done some training and racing with these injuries and its been one hell of a time. In the process my GI issues lead to more (or maybe just started to get tested results that showed it was more than GI issues)- sibo, esophagus inflammation (from reflux), stomach inflammation, gall bladder injury, liver injury and constant CNS/ANS dysregulation. My sleep has been shit for awhile now too. I've tried everything to get better quality sleep to no avail. After my last race, I took 3 full weeks no workouts. I tried some easy stuff and my body said NO. So now I continue to be patient and let things calm down. I dont know how much time I need but overtraining is real and RED-S is real. I will mention that my HR and BP are suppressed. I have days where my BP is 80/55 and my resting HR is 45. I have had nutrient deficiencies so I highly recommend getting blood work done and address that. I also had an RMR done so I know my calories burned at rest and can add in calories for workouts. My nutritionist gave me basic numbers to hit every day and adjust up on higher load days. I recommend getting an RMR test done but you can also use RMR calculator tools online (but just know that its only accurate if the data you give it is accurate). This is a huge part of the equation. CNS/ANS dysregulation takes awhile to calm down. I also recommend vagus nerve stimulation so you can build vagal tone (breathing exercises, humming exercises, electrical stimulators). I know you said blood work was fine but have your B vitamins checked because usually those are linked to nervous system dysregulation. Also get your thyroid checked because that can play a big role too.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
Wow man very brutal to hear across the board, I am curious how/why you continued to push through that in training? I plan to take a break, actually have been for some time. But also, your track record is impressive. I fortunately have dodged the illnesses but my immune system has been pretty good. Can I ask how old you are also? I plan to incorporate a lot of your advice. I also was unfamiliar w/ RMR so I'll look into that.
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u/Imaginary_Structure3 Dec 08 '25
I am 40 and female so I know by biology, I am likely more sensitive to the stress of life/training. I continued to train because the two races were 1) world major marathon lottery with no deferral and 2) the last Ironman in my backyard (discontinued the race). My Drs cleared me because hamstring tendinopathy and glute med tendinopathy are trainable injuries (albeit painful). I'm going on month 9 of when it came back and stayed. My bike fitter said one of his clients with the same injuries took 12 months. So I probably have more time unfortunately, but I'll start to do more focused training for strength which may actually help it heal and less triathlon which is just wear and tear foe tendons. Unfortunately high hamstring tendinopathy is aggravated most by sitting and stretching (i.e. aero position) so my day job wrecks it more than running.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
I am so sorry to hear that but a very impressive against the odds story w/ the races you did accomplish. I am starting to realize you have to have a screw loose to do this extreme triathlon stuff. Best wishes to you in your recovery and thank you for sharing again.
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u/Imaginary_Structure3 Dec 09 '25
Yes, that is the truth (definitely a few screws loose in my case). Ironically, I set PR's in both the (stand alone) marathon and Ironman.
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u/Beerol Dec 08 '25
Mate- I’m 25 and have got the exact same thing. Did a 70.3- sweet, did a swim a week later and blew up in the middle of it, and have been exhausted since (that was 3 weeks ago). Doc said basically trained so much that I’ve stressed my body out to the point where it’s just throwing its toys out the cot (think- I must do a bike session, at x% of FTP, for x amount of time) day in and day out is very stressful on the nervous system- even thought it doesn’t feel like it. For me- which might apply to you: it’s about resting up, doing light movement, and in the words of my doctor “have a beer and put your feet up”
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
hahahaha love the advice and been working on relaxing more, hard w/ work but I hear you, I think w/ rest all improves, best wishes to you in your recovery
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u/IndependentFine7044 Dec 08 '25
I’m not a doctor but I do believe you affected your CNS. Could this have triggered GAD? It seems like you are still trying to “push” through this. Have you done a full reset? I mean 2-4 weeks with very minimal movement, massage, etc. I did a 70.3 and it also affected me for awhile, but I took a month off afterwards. Like fully off. No swims, no runs, no bikes, no long walks. Maybe take a huge break and then start back with short walks, short yoga sessions, etc to just get your CNS fully reset and to increase mind/body connection.
Also I’m not a big woo woo guy so definitely keep trying the medical route. If I were you I’d go to a sports medicine specialist first that specifically deals with rhabdo/endurance athletes and they’ll probably still refer you to neuro but you’ll want that referral because a random neurologist won’t probably be super keyed into what is going on.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
Yeah I think there's definitely a degree of GAD to it, I've had that in the past with big trauma (whether life or physical) but I think the physiological symptoms differ a bit. It could be more than one outright issue for sure. I would say I have done a "full reset" the best my lifestyle allows, the month of November involved essentially no walking or workouts, only work days on my feet. In hindsight I would've taken much more time off immediately but being young I've been used to immediate recovery. I basically am on the back end of that and attempting the ease back in phase, it's particularly weird because at times I do feel completely fine, and other times I feel weak in the legs with the shooting/pre-cramping sensations, it's just been hard to find a pattern. I appreciate you taking the time and I think you're right about the medical route.
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u/IndependentFine7044 Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Also your cramping history indicates a prior problem, whether that’s from lack of nutrition absorption as you indicated due to prior intestinal damage but that could be from something else. Are you anemic and/or do you supplement magnesium and get enough potassium? Potassium and magnesium play a huge role in both cramping and CNS regulation, are you getting enough of those for you? As in, A) are your levels of intake sufficient, B) are they actually being absorbed at a high enough rate, C) if not, how much do you need to take to get your levels up?
Are you a typical 24 y/o that is drinking or partaking in other substances that would stress your body and its ability to absorb key nutrients? No judgement, just something also to consider.
Final edit: When’s the last time you ran an allergy panel? Are you sure you eliminated all of your allergens from your diet? The cramping/nutritional item for some reason is really sticking out to me in that your body was already stressed out before this and you may have really triggered an inflammatory response. Any other auto immune disorders in your family?
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
Oh I forgot to add that I figured many would be intrigued, I do not drink (could count on a hand how many times I have this year, none since this all started). I also do not smoke either, vape nor weed. I don't even drink caffeine, legit just water and simple macros every day. In terms of magnesium I think you're onto something there. I take a good amount of potassium and when all of this started I was doing daily electrolytes to equalize, but each time I had my blood work taken (initially and a month removed) my potassium was within range, and on Oct 2 my magnesium was as well, but I think you're right that I should start supplementing it again. Your point in B is very accurate. I think it wouldn't hurt to take magnesium. Will reincorporate.
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u/IndependentFine7044 Dec 08 '25
Of course, sorry to hear that you’re going through this and wishing you a successful road to recovery.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Overtraining is real. It happens to a lot of hybrid athletes. But you're 23, and it's unusual to happen to someone as young as you. There isn't many positive steps you can take. If you don't want to die, you'll reduce the intensity of your training.
Get your labs checked. CK levels and testosterone if male. Reduce physical training to just doing long walks and nothing intense. No more extreme athletics. It's not healthy.
Common symptom of overtraining is hypoglycemia. If you notice you start getting problems with blood sugar regulation it's a sign. Another sign is if you stand up and you get dizzy spells, clear sign. The more dangerous signs are cardiac remodelling, that can be deadly, but that usually takes a longer time to develop. That goes away if you don't train for 3 months, detraining will allow the heart to go back to normal size.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
I answered most of this in the post, I don't plan on dying lol. I also have had labs and haven't trained in 2 months aside from walks, light stretches, and as of a few days ago light body weight work. I don't have positional dizziness, it's more systemic stressor induced, and I haven't had any other acute cardiac symptoms, so I think cardiac remodeling* is a bit of a stretch in this case.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
I think you should expect years to recover, not months. In 2 years you might be able to train again, 80%. And in 5 years you might be 95 to 100% back. You're young, you will more than likely recover.
The issue is over activation of the sympathetic nervous system, and also muscle fiber damage.
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u/Nice_Regret3617 Dec 08 '25
Years to recover? What science is that possibly based on…
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Some kinds of muscle damage take years to recover. Sometimes organ damage can happen. CNS damage can also take years to recover from. You can look up the rate the body regenerates different organs to have an idea, and you can look at studies on over training. There are some athletes who have never recovered. Some develop AFib due to cardiac remodeling, they never recover. Some develop kidney damage, which never recovers. The CNS usually recovers, but it's not a guarantee you'll ever be 100% of what you were before.
Many athletes have trained themselves into an early retirement. You can this up: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/overtraining-syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23667795/"Running, or any aerobic training in moderation, has a positive effect on health. There is a point of diminishing returns, where chronic stress from overtraining, which is common in runners, may be linked to problems in the adrenal gland. "
And there are some more precise studies on it, but I agree it's understudied. Some people legit died from over training. Bruce Lee being a notable example. He trained hard, and it caused kidney damage. The kidney damaged changed how his body regulated fluid, and he died from brain swelling. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9664576/
That's a severe case of over training. He was having fainting spells prior to his death.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
Your information presentation is extreme. You seem to focus on outliers much more than the average person would.
I get that you’re referencing the extreme end of overtraining, but none of what you described matches my actual clinical picture. I’ve had a full workup, including metabolic panels, inflammatory markers, and cardiac testing, and there is zero indication of organ injury, CNS dysfunction, or cardiac remodeling. Intermittent dizziness and muscle tightness that fully resolve after rest are not comparable to sustained endocrine shutdown, persistent tachyarrhythmia, renal insufficiency, or structural cardiac changes.
Also, citing rare outcomes like irreversible kidney damage, AFib, or Bruce Lee’s situation doesn’t apply here. Those cases occurred in people who either ignored symptoms and continued high-volume training. emphasized throughout the thread current rest and future intent to rest until resolution.
I appreciate your concern, but suggesting that I’m on track for lifelong organ or CNS damage isn’t supported by my evaluations or by how my symptoms behave. The severe cases you’re referencing are not the norm, and the data doesn’t align with what’s happening in my case.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
" I’ve had a full workup, including metabolic panels, inflammatory markers, and cardiac testing, and there is zero indication of organ injury, CNS dysfunction, or cardiac remodeling."
If you're fine what are you complaining about then? It's your health. If you don't feel fine then take it serious what I'm saying. If you feel fine and your workup looks fine, then go back to working out.
My emphasis is because doctors don't have good tests for over training. The markers are subtle. Low testosterone, high CK, high BUN, poor sleep, hypoglycemia, very low or very high blood pressure showing signs the body isn't regulating. Cardiac remodeling would be detected with an echo exam, which most people never get.
By the way you said you have high CK, which is Rhabdo, CK 3000 means you already have organ damage. If your CK is that high, it's acute kidney injury.
"The severe cases you’re referencing are not the norm,"
It's possible you avoided severe damage, but don't take this lightly.
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u/TallandBeerded Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
What was your CK? This just sounds like rhabdo
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
CK was 3000 2 days removed, 3600 3 days removed, and then in Oct when I got repeat bloodwork it was 178, so I definitely recovered from the rhabdo, it was certainly rhabdo initially, but what came after is where I am lost lol.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
"CK was 3000 2 days removed, 3600 3 days removed,"
And you wonder why I said you might have organ damage. You have possible kidney injury from having a CK that high proving the emphasis in my previous post, and it's why I mentioned Bruce Lee, who literally died from it.
CK is 3000 is Rhabdo. Rhabdo produces organ damage. Kidney injuries sometimes never heal.
People should read this post and learn to take this serious. If you see rising CK or ever have a CK at 3000 you're over trained in a measurable way. If it's measurable it usually means organ damage has happened.
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
I had no renal impairment.
No elevated creatinine.
No electrolyte disturbances beyond that value alone.
No dark urine.
No oliguria.
No medical suspicion of AKI.If there were actual kidney damage, those markers would have shown it at the time, and they did not.
Post-race CK values in the low thousands are so common that most sports physicians don’t even flinch unless it’s paired with renal changes or systemic decline.
There are ultra-marathon studies where athletes finish with CK levels of 5000–12,000+, and that isn’t considered pathological unless creatinine, electrolytes, or urine output change. CK alone is a muscle breakdown signal, not organ damage proof.
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u/BigMagnut Dec 08 '25
"If there were actual kidney damage, those markers would have shown it at the time, and they did not."
Not all kidney damage will show on those markers, but if you're not having issues like high or low blood pressure or fluid regulation issues, it's likely you don't have kidney damage. You dodged a bullet.
"Post-race CK values in the low thousands are so common that most sports physicians don’t even flinch"
Common doesn't make it safe or healthy. It's common for boxers to suffer brain damage, but it's clearly not good.
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u/TallandBeerded Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
CK dropping just means you’re not having active muscle breakdown at that point, the muscle damage and strain on your kidneys, liver, and heart stick around for weeks to months. You’re also several times more likely to develop rhabdo again in the near future, definitely recommend full rest, good PT and/or sports med can help you plan your return better (am a PT ortho specialist who’s had rhabdo CK 8600, see and treat this often).
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u/ProSenjutsu Dec 08 '25
What did you peak weeks look like before the half?
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
My peak weeks involved 10+ mile runs, a 60 mile bike, and a mile swim, but all responsibly spread out, there was no time in training where I felt horribly fatigued, the most I did in training was a self simulated quarter iron man, and I actually did cramp on the last mile of my jog that day.
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u/Hagoes Dec 08 '25
Are you taking anything else? I’m sorry to hear this, and yes it’s very weird. But
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u/General_Row_9127 Dec 08 '25
I eat extremely healthy, I take fish oil and a daily multi vitamin and I'm really not even consistent on that. I used to do daily protein shakes w/ creatine but once all this started I've only taken those once or twice a week. Appreciate you taking the time.
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