Years ago, back in another life it seems, I was jogging 40+ minutes every day. I really love running, I 'zone out' and the time just flies. I even ran a 10K. While training for that 10K, I was getting signals from my body that I was overheating, but I didn't know what they were. So I ran the 10, and ended up in the medical tent with heatstroke, with an IV and 15 people around me packing ice and massaging my various muscles as they cramped. Talk about embarrassing. Anyway, after that I had a chat with a doc and he explained what those chills while running were.

So, I'm now down 20 lbs and have been exercising regularly again. The 3FC 5K inspired me to throw a little jogging in, to see how things would go. I made it through the 20 minutes of walk 2 jog 1, but I was getting chills at the end. I wasn't out of breath, though. So clearly, my body's climate control is not yet ready to jog again, even though the rest of me seems to be. Also, my low back was a little tender when I finished. So, I'll stick to walking and try again in 10 or so more pounds, I guess.

So I'm a little disappointed. Not enough to fall off the wagon, but still. Any input/ideas would be appreciated.

I've just started jogging again myself. I don't have any scientific help for you except maybe start slower? Jog less and walk more in the beginning since you're just getting back into it. Remember walking is excercise too, no shame in it! Just remember to not get frustrated with yourself, your body will adapt, you've just gotta give it time.
~Heather

I did the 5k on Friday & Saturday on the treadmill @ The GYM and both day's about 40 minutes into it, I got the chills. I was sweating like crazy so I just figured my body was cooling me down. At least I hope that's what it was. I only ran 16 minutes of it and those 16 minutes were broken down to every 5 minutes, I'd run for 90 seconds and then walk briskly and then slow it down and catch my breath and then do it again until I was done. I do get a beat red face when I exercise. I sure hope it's not a heat stroke. That would blow.

I always thought the chills were because I was so sweaty too....

My suggestion would also be to start slower run 30 secs walk 1 min instead...

When you have heat stroke, you aren't sweating.

Check out this article, it has the signs and symptoms.
http://www.medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/article.htm

So I wouldn't worry if you are sweating, and have the chills, chills happen when you sweat!

Thanks for that link cait!

While that article correctly describes actually being in heat stroke, chills are a sign that you will get there if you continue. Chills while exercising and sweating mean that your body is not able to cool itself and your core temperature is rising. This is why we get chills when we have a fever. Chills while sweating and exercising are a sign to slow down, in fact.

If I were you I'd focus on walking for now. A lot of people overlook walking because it doesn't seem as "cool" or it doesn't have the cachet of running, but I know fitness walkers who lay down 10 minute miles and regularly walk marathons. I'm a runner but I have yet to walk any significant distance at a 10 minute mile pace. It's freaking hard and is an EXCELLENT workout. Fitness walking is serious exercise, not to be confused with just strolling along (which is fun, too, of course).

You can get the chills when you have a fever becuase your hypothalamus tells itself to raise your body's setpoint body temperature to fight whatever infection you may have. Your body then says "hey I'm cold" and you shiver for a while. Then your core temp gets to that set point and your body says "i'm okay now" and then your set point lowers. You feel coldest when your body temp. is rising, and hottest when your body temp is lowering. BUT when you are exercising, your set point does not rise, so it is different.

I notice that I shiver when I exercise at the gym- which always has a cool temp. If I am sweating, and wearing clothes that are soaking up that sweat, I am going to shiver becuase of the evaporation of sweat. That's all I was saying.

Maybe when you can try jogging again, start off a little slower, have longer walk intervals might help.

Tyler Durden- walking a 10 minute mile, that's insane- I really don't think I could do that AT all.

On the chills/sweating: Yes, sometimes we shiver when our clothes are wet and sweaty. I find this tends to happen once I am in cool-down mode, or just after it. Sometimes, though, it is a sign that your body is not keeping up with cooling you. It's important to be aware that this could be happening.

Cait: thanks for the level-headed discussion carried out in an adult manner. This is something I have rarely seen on forums.

On walking a 10 minute mile: At my best, I believe I jogged a 12 minute mile. For the first mile. Tyler, I understand what you are saying, and I do appreciate the benefits of walking. When I'm walking, though, I just don't 'zone out' mentally like I do when I move (slightly) faster by jogging, and that's the part I miss.

All the feedback has been helpful, and food for thought. I have decided that once a week, I will treat myself by doing a walk/jog for part of my workout. The next time, I will try jogging 1 and walking 3 (instead of 2) and see how that goes.

I agree- thanks for the adult discussion Keep me posted on how it goes, it is very interesting to me- I think all the quirks in the human body are so interesting lol. Good luck to you!

DAFFY First of all ~ Be wise ~ Second of all ~ stay within your limits (as they are today) ~ 3rd ~ get ready for the Memorial Week-end 5K!