Running a marathon triggers more than just sore legs discover 11 surprising things your body goes through, from shrinking in height to powering your brain.
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Running 26.2 miles isn’t just a test of willpower and endurance it also triggers some wild reactions in your body.
Here’s a breakdown of what actually happens to your body during those grueling miles.
Over half of long-distance runners experience a runny nose, thanks to something called exercise-induced rhinitis.
As your breathing ramps up, your nasal passages go into overdrive, flooding your nose with mucus.
Not the most glamorous side effect, but a common one.
Believe it or not, you might cross the finish line a little shorter than when you started.
Researchers have found runners can lose nearly half an inch in height during a marathon due to spinal compression and fluid loss between vertebrae.
Don’t worry it’s only temporary and reverses once your body rehydrates.
One of the most frustrating marathon mishaps? Muscle cramps.
They’re often triggered by neuromuscular miscommunication between your spine and muscles. Going out too fast is a common culprit.
If cramps strike, slow down and stretch before they wreck your race pace.
You just ran a marathon and earned that medal and the post-race feast only to find yourself nauseous. Intense exercise elevates levels of peptide YY, a hormone that suppresses appetite, while lowering hunger-inducing ghrelin.
Your stomach may need a minute before it's ready for that burger.
Marathoners often end up with blackened toenails due to three main causes: shoes that are too tight, repetitive trauma to the nail from running, or gripping the toes too much.
The dark color comes from blood trapped beneath the nail. It’s unsightly, but common.
Speaking of toes, that black nail? It might not stick around. As the tissue underneath heals, the toenail can detach and fall off. Thankfully, it’ll grow back eventually.
Even after months of training, marathon day puts your feet through hell.
Repeated pounding damages tiny blood vessels and can temporarily reduce your red blood cell count.
After the race, rest and load up on iron-rich foods like leafy greens and lean meat.
Most runners finish a marathon lighter than they started but it’s mostly water loss
To rehydrate safely, drink about 500ml of water per hour until your urine is a pale yellow. For perspective: runners in the 2018 London Marathon collectively lost enough sweat to fill over 2,000 bathtubs.
That post-run euphoria is real. Marathon running increases endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine all feel-good brain chemicals.
It also puts your brain into an alpha-wave state, linked with calm and mental clarity. Some studies even suggest it can boost cognitive function by 10%.
No matter your pace, the day after a marathon will make stairs your nemesis. That’s because racing pushes your muscles beyond their normal limits, causing microtears and lactic acid buildup.
The result? Painful DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Yes, nipple chafing is a thing especially for men. Sweat (which contains abrasive salts) rubs against your shirt, irritating the skin and potentially causing bleeding.
If you haven’t already, invest in some nipple protection.
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