I steenk. I steenk like Mr. Clean.

March 3, 2006 9:28 PM

Does my exercise regimen need fixing? Or does the ammonia smell not really matter?

So my original question was going to be to ask why I smell ammonia after I run a couple of miles on the treadmill, but searching the archives got me this informative exchange (thanks, AxeMe!).

But now I wonder two things: (1) is it not considered a good thing to have this "side effect" — i.e., is it an indication that I'm not exercising in the healthiest manner possible, and (2) how does one most effectively "improve glycogen reserves"?

For the record, my workout regimen is to jog two miles, do some pushups and situps. But just a mile or so on the treadmill is all it takes.

posted by middleclasstool to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

It's not what you want to have happen after a workout, but to my knowledge it's not threatening either. Runner's World magazine has said in the past that it's a sign of overtraining, and I've had it in the past.

Are you just starting into your workout regimen? Have you increased its length or intensity recently? If so, back off to your previous level and increase the length/intensity more slowly.

Following your own internal link, I didn't know that the body broke down the amino acids to use them as a fuel source, but it makes sense. I just thought it was muscle breakdown. As far as I understand it, it's either impossible or incredibly difficult to improve the absolute amount of glycogen your muscles can hold (otherwise "hitting the wall" in marathons would be less of a problem for mortals/normal runners), but you can train the muscles to be more efficient in using the glycogen they've already stored by doing longer runs at moderate endurance pace--one where you're not so out of breath that you couldn't keep up a conversation if you had to.
posted by mhespenheide at 10:49 PM on March 3, 2006

I used to exercise to the point of exhuding an ammonia aroma. It didn't happen to anybody else at the gym except very rarely so I took at it as a badge of honour, I was lifting more and stair mastering more etc. I didn't know it wasn't supposed to happen till I met a long distance runner. No damage occured, though I have shaved my head so from the ears up I look like Mr. Clean. That may be coincidental however.
posted by substrate at 10:57 PM on March 3, 2006

You improve glycogen reserves by eating carbs. Drink plenty of water, too. You should piss clear several times per day. Here is the article from the other Ask MeFi thread.
posted by fixedgear at 3:36 AM on March 4, 2006

Response by poster: Are you just starting into your workout regimen?

Re-starting, yes. I was damn near totally sedentary from about age fifteen to about age 29, then started running, then stopped because of time problems. By the time I quit, I was up to two miles a day. Now I've started back up at the two-mile level. Which my legs aren't really thanking me for. Perhaps I'll slow it down.

I'm absolutely positive carbs aren't my problem. But water may well be.
posted by middleclasstool at 7:47 AM on March 4, 2006

Yeah, I've actually tried fixing this (thanks to andrew cooke's suggestion), and can't figure it out. I started eating carbs 30min-1hr before my morning run, and I'm drinking plenty of water. Nothing seems to help, though maybe I'll try sports drinks as mentioned in the article. I also started running late in life, so maybe it just comes with the territory? My roommates were adolescent athletes, and they're all like "OMG WTF that means you're starving yourself and you're going to die!!!"
posted by unknowncommand at 8:01 AM on March 4, 2006