Track days and motion sickness

[Cucciolo]

track veterans and noobs alike.. did you ever get motion sickness after your first few morning sessions? Today was my second day ever at the same track and the second time that I get motion sickness after the first sessions. Is this normal when you start doing track days and once used to it then never happens again.. ? Sort of like sailing.. that you have to get used to. If not, there might be something wrong with me.. inner ear or something. i am a little worried...this little problem will take the fun out of my future track days.

Please ...don't be noob averse ... and let me know what you think. I would appreciate a short yes is normal or no it's not, Thanks

[ducpainter]

track veterans and noobs alike.. did you ever get motion sickness after your first few morning sessions? Today was my second day ever at the same track and the second time that I get motion sickness after the first sessions. Is this normal when you start doing track days and once used to it then never happens again.. ? Sort of like sailing.. that you have to get used to. If not, there might be something wrong with me.. inner ear or something. i am a little worried...this little problem will take the fun out of my future track days.

Please ...don't be noob averse ... and let me know what you think. I would appreciate a short yes is normal or no it's not, Thanks

I never suffered motion sickness at the track...

fear?...

you bet.

[darylbowden]

I don't think it's motion sickness (for me at least), but I do get nauseated at the track quite often actually.  For me, it's a hydration/heat/sun combo that seems to do it to me, but it does happen.  This might sound strange, but I've found that if I can make myself vomit, I feel fine and I can go back out at 100%.

[El Matador]

I felt pretty nauseous at the track before and after the first session. But then It kinda went away. I just chalked it up to nerves.

[Cucciolo]

thanks for your input guys. It could have been nerves/fear since early in the morning I was pretty hydrated and it wasn't hot.  Like you said Matador.. and it did go away after lunch, at least last weekend.. but yesterday.. the nausea lasted all day.. it wasn't fun. About vomiting.. I bet it would have worked, but I never get to induce it right.. (I've tried many times back in the day..to sober up of course.. but ended up with a red face and with sore abs instead each time..  LOL)
Next track day I will try taking a motion sickness pill 1 hour before the first session..(if they are non drowsy.. need to check) they work pretty good for flying and they get rid of the nausea pretty good whether it was provoked by fear/nervousness or motion.

[Statler]

If it is motion sickness I suggest scapolomine (sp?).  It's a patch for behind the ear.   Maybe even cut one in half as it's good for several days.

I get horribly seasick and it's a great non-drowsy fix on the boat.

Never got motion sick at the track though.

[ducpainter]

I get a little nauseous after lunch...

are you eating a lot for breakfast?

[Cucciolo]

I get a little nauseous after lunch...

are you eating a lot for breakfast?

Yesterday, I only had a 2 egg omelet, a banana..and a glass of FRS drink for energy. I don't think that is too much.. is it? oh.. wait a sec.. and cheetos.. LOL..

[DesmoDiva]

I don't think it's motion sickness (for me at least), but I do get nauseated at the track quite often actually.  For me, it's a hydration/heat/sun combo that seems to do it to me, but it does happen.  This might sound strange, but I've found that if I can make myself vomit, I feel fine and I can go back out at 100%.

Sounds like you suffer from hyponatremia, low salt level in the blood.  I have this problem anytime I'm sweating a lot.  I feel nauseous, and sometimes vomit, if i don't take in enough salts.  It took me a couple really close calls, almost passing out, to figure out what was wrong.  Now I prevent it from drinking half strength Gatorade when sweating.  As long as I'm hydrating and taking in salts, I no longer have this problem.  

Sometime just water isn't enough.  You need to replace the salts your sweating out too.

[ducpainter]

Yesterday, I only had a 2 egg omelet, a banana..and a glass of FRS drink for energy. I don't think that is too much.. is it? oh.. wait a sec.. and cheetos.. LOL..

would be for me...

[darylbowden]

Sounds like you suffer from hyponatremia, low salt level in the blood.  I have this problem anytime I'm sweating a lot.  I feel nauseous, and sometimes vomit, if i don't take in enough salts.  It took me a couple really close calls, almost passing out, to figure out what was wrong.  Now I prevent it from drinking half strength Gatorade when sweating.  As long as I'm hydrating and taking in salts, I no longer have this problem.  

Sometime just water isn't enough.  You need to replace the salts your sweating out too.

Hmm, that's interesting.  Is there anything besides Gatorade i can use?  Maybe a salt lick? 

[lin]

If it is motion sickness I suggest scapolomine (sp?).  It's a patch for behind the ear.   Maybe even cut one in half as it's good for several days.

Diving is another hobby of mine. I see a lot of motion sickness from the boat rides to the dive sites and different remedies including the patch. I've never used it, but have several friends who do so hesitantly.

A couple things regarding Scopolamine aka the patch. It's serious stuff such that a prescription is required the last time I checked. Dry mouth is the most common of several possible side effects. Withdrawl symptoms are common from what I've seen as well. I'm not saying you'll have these problems. For instance, it seems to work fine for Statler. I'm just suggesting that you try something over the counter such as Triptone,  Dramamine, or Bonine. Bonine has a different active ingredient than the first two. Depending on which one you use and your body chemistry, drowsiness could be an issue.

That said.. you sure you weren't just nervous? or you weren't hydrated, rested, and/or nutritionally deficient (salt, potassium, blood sugar)?

[DesmoDiva]

Hmm, that's interesting.  Is there anything besides Gatorade i can use?  Maybe a salt lick? 

Yes, a salt lick would work.    

Powerbar has a new product out that is just electrolytes, doesn't have all the sugar Gatorade has.  I haven't had a chance to try it yet, because I'm having trouble finding it in my area. 



*runner not included.

[gm2]

use this instead of gatorade: http://www.rei.com/product/520007

fwiw, i always sit out a session after i eat lunch.  (for those track days that don't stop for lunch, which seems to be most)


edit: and yeah i've gotten sick feeling first thing at track days before but i'm 99% sure it was nerves and getting up so bloody early.  if i have to get up that early i need an hour to sit and do nothing.

[Ducnial]

If you are having serious butterflies/cramps in the morning, just before your first session then I'd suggest its a nervous stomach. Be careful what you drink the night before and what you consume in the morning, no greasy food,  no acidic  or sugary drinks like orange juice,  Gatorade or Colas, high sugar drinks are  the biggest cause of upset stomachs for athletes.   Eat only as much as necessary to keep the rubbles away and eat it early (+2hrs) to give it a chance to settle. You can always take a Granola to tide you over.   While racing bicycles it was not uncommon to see riders with nausea and craps frequenting the porta-pottys first thing before a race.  Give it some time, if it is nausea brought on by emotional stress it will go away after a few trackdays.  Also except for Pepto Bismol or other OTC antiacids  I'd shy FAR  away from drug related solutions  like Dramamine or Scopolamine (patch)  These are powerful drugs that can induce dizziness, drowsiness and mental confusion in some people, that why they are regulated.