No talk about exercise would be complete without some discussion of injuries. Knee pain and back pain are the usual culprits but I'd like to take just a moment to discuss the lesser known Gross Hematuria, also known as runner's or jogger's hematuria. This is a condition which I had the pleasure of experiencing this summer. While training for the Peachtree Road Race 10K foot race which is on July 4th of each year in Atlanta, Georgia. I was working in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in June and ran in the heat. When I returned to Atlanta I continued my midday runs in the heat. As I trained in the 90-degree plus temperatures my hydration was affected and one day I found myself urinating blood right after a run. Needless to say this really got my attention.
I contacted some friends and soon had an appointment with a urologist. After numerous tests my final diagnosis was Gross Hematuria caused by dehydration. The bleeding was likely caused as the walls of my bladder rubbed together as I ran with an empty bladder.
The solution was easy; I was instructed to stay hydrated and not to empty my bladder before running.
Since my diagnosis I ensure that I drink water or Gatorade about 20 minutes before I run and stay hydrated. It's been working well so far!
