I think it's usually more of a problem with walking/trail running/hiking than road racing. I've heard different theories on what causes it, so I don't know what to think.

 

Bloating causes fat fingers. Too much salt, TOM.<br>
More importantly, tell us the story about getting something to wear for your meeting!

 

Too many visits to Taco Time? <running now>

 

i've been wondering the same thing? seldom happens, but bothersome when it does.

 

I'm not sure what causes it but I do know that if you hold something (anything) in your hand, it will go away and if walking long distances, try to keep your forearms parallel to the ground. Worked for me!<br><br>
Alex

 

Econo, I have heard that pulmonary edema is a possiblity if it occurs at high elevation.

 

it's positional? hmmm<br>
hally, I salted up prior to this road race. Lotsa wheat thins.

 

Hi Econo! I am totally stumped by this puffy finger thing. It seems to happen to me on hot days so I am inclined to say that hydration is the problem. During marathons I take in mainly sports drinks so I feel I should be getting sufficient salt/electrolytes. During ultra's I also take "Succeed" (sodium/potassium) tablets.<br><br>
Last marathon I ran was in Maui at the end of January, and my fingers got REALLY swollen during the final 6 miles. And at every aid station I drank gatorade. Strange<br><br>
The "arm position" suggestion intrigues me...I gotta think about that some more..<br><br>
miss you....arf<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

Art! Hi! (waving madly)

 

I wanna know the answer too. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Seems worse on hot days and especially bad walking around shopping malls. Your body's way of trying to conserve water? I'd say not enough water or too much salt then.

 

Here is what the Mayo Clinic says:<br><br><h2><a class="nuwiki_top_link" href="#user_top">[top]</a>What causes hand swelling during exercise? I walk several times a week, and my fingers get puffy to the point that I can't get my rings off.</h2>
<br><h2><a class="nuwiki_top_link" href="#user_top">[top]</a>Answer</h2>
<br><h2><a class="nuwiki_top_link" href="#user_top">[top]</a></h2>
<br>
Hand swelling during exercise is a fairly common problem. Unfortunately, the cause usually isn't clear.<br>
During exercise, your heart may redirect blood from your hands to the exercising muscles. This cools your hands. In turn, the blood vessels in your hands may overreact — which could lead to more blood flow in your hands and possible hand swelling. Hand swelling during exercise is unlikely to be caused by an electrolyte imbalance, weather conditions or drinking excess water.<br>
There's no proven way to prevent or reduce hand swelling during exercise. Before you exercise, you may want to remove your rings and loosen your watchband. During exercise, it may help to do occasional forward and backward arm circles. You might also stretch your fingers and then make fists several times during exercise.

 

econo--- looks like you fatfingered your response to art, i mean arf. sorry, couldn't resist. my vote is too much salt, too little water. that's what does it to me. glide

 

Yep, Glide, me too. But I seem to show it first in my fat feet and ankles... If my rings are tight, I know I've been hitting the salty stuff too much!

 

..notice how nobody complains about Fat Wrists??

 

Nope.<br>
I'm sticking with the Mayo Clinic's explanation.

 

I'm gonna guess.......twinkies?

 

Carrying your hands too low? Blood pooling down there and not circulating back up as fast as goes down?

 

I agree with Ilene....a gal I run with said it is from the arms not getting enough circulation - if you eat a ton of salt it makes it worse. She said if you really shake out your shoulder area it will help. All I know is I don't like it when it happens!

 

Yo glidegal! I blame the iPhone, which is trying so very hard to correct my "mistakes."<br><br>
OK, on the fat fingers...I'm doing the right thing, then. I usually clench and unclench my fists a few times when it happens. Thanks for the Mayo Clinic info.<br><br>
Now, for a way to get rid of fat legs! hmmm

 

Run .. a lot ..... <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

Econo, oh cry me a river....you do not have fat legs!

 

On this topic, don't you wish KR had a "mobile" version? Reading and posting from an iPhone is slow and clumsy.<br><br>
Carry on.

 

Opie once typed out a RR on a mobile phone....<img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif">

 

I requested a mobile-friendly template months ago. Response was "Good idea!" Then it died.<br><br>
I reported that my searches were being throttled months ago. Response was "Really?" Then nothing.<br><br>
Am a little frustrated with Kick.

 

My PR page in my profile will not let me edit. I asked for help, and they changed my longest race to a 100 miler, and then told me to change it to the correct distance...<br><br>
But I still can't edit.<br><br>
To stay on topic, my fingers get fat when it's hot. While it's not only when I'm running, it gets worse then. It's a good thing it's hardly ever hot here.