Ask the Penguin: Headache From Running

Dear Penguin

These two things probably have nothing to do with each other but I’m going to ask anyway. I am a new runner and last Friday did my first two mile run on the treadmill. Thought I was going to die, but survived it and felt very accomplished for having done it. Did my second two mile run today and it was easier but still hard, so there was improvement.

The weird thing….I am not really a headache person, but by the end of both runs I had a headache. Is this just a weird coincidence or something I’m doing wrong?

It’s actually a great question. I’m glad that you asked.

Before we get to the headache, though, let’s talk a little bit about how hard it should be to run two miles. First off, you shouldn’t ever feel like you’re about to die. That kind of thinking will make you hate running and you’ll quit in no time.

Two things: 1] you should be able to carry on a normal conversation while you’re running. If you’re breathing is so labored that you can’t, you need to slow down. 2] you should be doing lots and lots of walking at this stage. We start our new runners with 30 seconds of running and 5 minutes of walking, for 30 minutes. Little by little you increase the running interval.

Chances are – and I’m not a doctor – that the headaches are caused by low blood sugar. It sounds like you’re just pushing too hard.

So, relax. Enjoy the process. Be kind and gentle with yourself. It’s the only way to run for the rest of your life.

Waddle on, John

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.