Has anyone done a 25k run?

Question

I have done a 5k and a 10k run and a triathlon. My teacher from highschool invited me to a 25K run. He said the first time he did this, half way through the run he started to hallucinate. Is there any suggestions on how to prevent that. Has anybody else done a 25k run. He said he was well hyrdrated and everything so any help would do.

Thanks.

Answer 1

yes people have done it

Answer 2

There is nothing particular about that distance that would make a runner hallucinate. My weekly long run has often been nearly that distance and I have participated in numerous marathons (42.195 kilometers) and several 50K races. I have never hallucinated.

It is possible that a combination of over-extending oneself, heat, dehydration and/or exhaustion could cause someone to   hallucinate. If you are properly trained, reasonably fueled, hydrated and do not over exert yourself you will be fine.

BTW, 25K is an unusual distance. Road races are usually 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, 30K or the marathon distance in length.

Answer 3

Sonny is right, that's an odd distance.  

Hallucinations are not what one would worry about first and foremost.  Staying hydrated, and keeping electrolytes balanced are most important.

Most long distance runners use a gel packet (Gu), every 30 to 45 minutes, and/or will take in enough of a sports drink at water stops to help combat 'bonking.'

Some runners require salt over longer distances.

Just be sensible in listening to your body, and develop a system for fluid and nutrition intake while you train, i.e. before the race.

If you're are medically fit to run, and you do the right things for energy and fluid, you should have no major issues.

Answer 4

Some city's do have a 25K each year for the marathon warmup series, but it is a fairly rare distance.

To prevent problems just make sure you have trained for the event and keep well hydrated.  You should not have any problems with hallucinations.

About hallucinations that sounds odd that he would hallucinate at that distance unless it was extremely hot, he was out of shape, and did not drink water, or a combination of those.  I have never hallucinated at any distance below 100 miles but have at that distance several times.  In that case it is brought on from exhaustion and lack of sleep, things that are not present in most 25K races.

25K is a very modest distance in the big picture.  In NYC each year they hold a 3,100 mile race where the winner typically runs 75+ miles per day for about 47 days.