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Ammonia Smelling Sweat

Posted by Steve Carton on Jun 26, 2008 11:37:40 AM

Sometimes when I run a long training run (upwards of 12 miles or

so) at the end, I feel like I can "taste" or "smell" ammonia. I've

always assumed that this is caused by my body depleting all my glycogen

stores and going into ketosis. I've never tested my pee with a

keto-stick, though I do have some, left over from an Atkins stint

several years ago.

 

Last week I ran a 16 miler in San Francisco San Francisco Long Run (Wow)

and then wrapped my clothes up in a hotel plastic bag and packed them

for the trip home. The next morning, back at home (Annapolis), when I

opened the bag, the running clothes reeked of ammonia. First time I've

ever noticed that. I didn't eat anything prior to that run and had two

gels during it (breakfast of champions). So the question is, am I going

into ketosis? And, more importantly, is that a bad thing. I think

I am and that it's bad because it indicates consumption of muscle

tissue to supply energy. But I'm no physiologist or nutritionist. So I

may be dead wrong.

 

Thoughts?

739 Views Tags: training, marathon_training, ketosis, ammonia_smell


Jun 27, 2008 3:25 PM Active Toby Active Toby    says:

Here's a link for more information about ammonia production and its relation to endurance sports:

http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HNT?PAGE=ARTICLE&ARTICLE.ID=1282 Hope this gets you started!

Jun 30, 2008 8:47 AM Steve Carton Steve Carton    says in response to Active Toby:

Interesting -- I'll have to try their product. Do you get a kickback for it? If so, I'll mention your name

Jun 30, 2008 9:50 AM Active Toby Active Toby    says in response to Steve Carton:

If anything, its a good place to start with all the info they have on their site, despite Hammer being under allegations for contaminated substances. There's info on their site about that too but with any supplements these days, you run the risk because the majority aren't controlled by the FDA. Active Expert Gale Bernhardt wrote a great blog about this topic:

 

http://community.active.com/blogs/GaleBernhardt/2008/02/20/potentially-contaminated-water-and-supplements

Jun 30, 2008 1:09 PM Steve Carton Steve Carton    says in response to Active Toby:

Thanks -- I'll check it out.