IV THERAPY AND VITAMIN SHOTS PROVIDE RUNNERS ESSENTIAL FLUIDS, VITAMINS
Summers in Chicago are hard to beat: the lakefront, baseball games, concerts on the water, street festivals, rooftops, fireworks. There’s so much to see and do and truly something for everyone. For serious athletes and everyday runners alike, summer in Chicago can bring hydration challenges.
Though the city is at its finest this time of year, it’s also at its hottest and makes training potentially dangerous. It’s a no-brainer that the hotter it is, the more you sweat and the faster you lose water. Since 75% of Americans don’t consume enough water, exercising in the heat can quickly lead to dehydration and injury.
The good news is there’s a lot you can do to stay hydrated and train at your peak performance.
“At a minimum, I recommend working in a Vitamin B-12 shot every-other-week into your training regimen,” said Dr. Jack Dybis of IVme Chicago. “These shots boost your energy and your mood and improve sleeping. All of this helps keep you training at your best.
“For hydration, I recommend IV therapy treatments immediately after a longer run. If it’s hot and humid outside and you’re losing a lot of water through sweat, getting an IV after a particularly grueling run, no matter the distance, is a good idea.”
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE IV THERAPY
At all of its locations, IVme offers a variety of IV therapy treatments. Dr. Jack recommends the “Athletic Performance” IV for runners. This specific IV has a combination of vitamins and fluids that hydrate, reduce inflammation, increase muscle recovery and boost your immune system.
One benefit of getting IV treatments and vitamin shots vs. drinking water and orally taking vitamins is that the fluids and nutrients your body needs go directly into your bloodstream. You don’t battle vitamin absorption issues and don’t have to worry about water sloshing in your stomach or carrying a water bottle while you run.
Another benefit of post-run IV treatments is the recovery time. Athletes often feel sore and achy for two to three days after a exceptionally intense run. With an IV treatment, you’ll feel back to normal within six to eight hours. Post-race IV treatments are especially great for marathon runners flying out of Chicago, making a long drive home or hoping to get back to work on Monday.
BEAT THE HEAT WITH PREVENTATIVE CARE
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy and prevent serious illnesses, whether marathon training or not. If you’re not sweating, not able to make urine, feeling thirsty or have dry lips, chances are you’re already dehydrated.
“Even just 1-2% dehydration from your baseline can cause increased thirst, dry mouth, decreased urine output, headache, dizziness and tiredness,” said Dr. Jack. “All of these things cause poor decision making and contribute to people getting into worse shape, including heat exhaustion and stroke.”
Whether you’re joining the 45,000 runners at this year’s Chicago Marathon or simply exercising in the heat this summer, it’s critical to take extra precautions around your hydration. IV treatments and vitamin shots are a great solution.
*Please note that Chicago Marathon weekend is one of the busiest for IVme and appointments are highly recommended. IVme offers hydration stations for marathon training teams, in-home appointments and private spa-like rooms at both of our Wells Street and State Street locations.