[fleabates]

<p>I am doing the Crooms Fool Run 50 miler in a few weeks.  It will be just my second ultra and I am hoping to do much better than last year.  I finished last year but was wrecked afterward.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Due to things out of my control  I have to fly for work from Orlando to Nashville the following day.  I have heard you shouldn't ride in a car for long periods after a race and some other things like that.  But I am not sure if those are just wives tales meant to scare you or actually based in some fact.  Anyways sitting in a plane at high altitude already didn't sound good to me. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Then I read the story of the guy (and man I should remember his name) that died the day after completing Hardrock.  So needless to say I am a little freaked now.  I am just completing a flat 50 miler as opposed to Hardrock so there is probably no comparison.  I read he had some other factors such as a history of high blood pressure and things.  I am 36 and in great shape with no extenuating factors so I guess I am over worrying about this.  But I wanted to ask the question:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does anyone fly the day after an ultra? </p>
<p>Is this even something to worry about?  Should I take any precautions?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice as I am sure many of the experts on this blog have traveled the day after a big race.</p>

 

[phredmur]

<p>I don't think it's that big a deal. The greatest risk is probably a blood clot from sitting still for long periods. But I wouldn't worry about it; I don't think it's an issue for most fit, healthy people.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I ran the San Francisco One Day 12 hour last fall and had to stop an hour early to go straight to the airport to get on the red eye back to New York. So I ran 54 miles, got into a rental car and then returned it and hopped on a plane overnight. I did take an aspirin to thin my blood a little. The thing I noticed was that it was hard to sleep in a plane seat when I was so sore. Then it was hard to get up and walk off the plane after sitting all night. The thing the people around me probably noticed was that I smelled a little funky, having just run all day before the flight. And then there was the salt caked on my cheeks and neck . . .</p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>DVT....Deep Vein Thrombosis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Word on the street is that you are at increased risk after running long distances.</p>
<p>It's very rare.</p>
<p>My brother has been in the airline industry for over 25 years (trans-Pacific flights) & has never seen a case in all those years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That said, I have always flown home the day after a 100km, or 100 miler.....no qualms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A couple of years ago, six of us piled into a mini-van & drove 27 hours straight down to the GrandCanyon.....after a nights sleep, we ran the 50 mile Rim to Rim to Rim & romptly piled back into the van for the 27 hour drive home. Two days later I flew to Europe.</p>
<p>The only issue I developed was a fear of mini-vans., & an appreciation for leg room...though the drive did make the 10 hour flight seem relatively short.</p>

 

[fleabates]

<p>Wow.  So I don't feel so bad anymore getting on a measely 4 hour flight a day after the race...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I will take an aspirin just to be safe, which I probably would have take anyways.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good to hear that after 25 years your brother has never seen a case of it...</p>

 

[Buzzie]

<p>Compression socks.</p>
<p>They're great after any long run. (IMHO) And, good for staving off DVT. (Or so I understand.)</p>

 

[ChrisG]

<p>I've done several flights and long drives after running ultras. No problems. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I second Buzzie's suggestion for compression socks/calf sleeves. My feet swell when flying and the compression helps a lot. I wear them every time I fly now even if I'm not running. I think most drug stores sell cheap compression socks for diabetics if you want something just for the flight.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll add that your immune system will be compromised after running. You might want to take an immune booster before your flight to help prevent any colds/flus. I got a cold once coming back from Las Vegas Marathon. Wow, that sucked (the cold and the marathon). </p>
<p> </p>
<p>ChrisG</p>

 

[Sherpa John]

If you're THAT paranoid i suggest not even running the 50 miles...<br><br>
In 2009 i ran 100 miles and then hopped on a plane some 4 hours later... And the flight was 4 hours long with a layover.<br>
In fact... I've always flown home from a 100 miler rather quickly.<br>
Last year i ran western states,. Then left right for the airport... And flew for an hour flight... This was 4 hours after the race.<br><br>
People do this alllllllllll the time.

 

[cgerber]

<p>The guy who died after Hardrock (Joel Zucker) had some <strong>serious</strong> underlying health issues (his BP was so high at medical check-in they recommended that he not run... I want to say it was 240 over something).  He ran anyway, AMA, and died on the drive home a day or two after the race. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Compression socks and walk around on the plane.  I've never flown to a race, but when I drive I try to stop every hour or two and do a 15-20 min walk.  Helps with the recovery too.  That may be harder to do a plane, but getting up and walking around + calf pumps, etc for edema should help alleviate the risk.</p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p>...also...post-race massage (if available), & sleeping with elevated legs (ask the hotel for 2 extra pillows) will make your legs feel much better the day after.</p>