When Heidi Frehlich lined up at first of Desert RATS by UTMB 100K race in Colorado in April, she had no concept that one in every of her worst fears was about to come back true. Frehlich, who has risen via the ranks of the extremely path group during the last couple of years, was ready for a standout efficiency and holding sturdy in second place when disaster struck: she began to enter anaphylactic shock on the course.
“The 100K was really going fairly nicely right now, I used to be comfortably in 2nd, slowly closing in on 1st, and feeling strong,” Frehlich wrote on Instagram post-race. “That was, up till I bought some water from the help station round 40K and started projectile vomiting shortly after, which shortly was not with the ability to breathe, with 5K left till the following help station.”
Frehlich, who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, was pressured to make use of her EpiPen, and mentioned that “attempting to hobble 5K within the warmth whereas combating to breathe and never move out is definitely worse than you would think about.” Whereas it may appear practically unattainable for Frehlich to have been uncovered to nuts after solely taking water from an out of doors supply, she says cross-contamination was the seemingly wrongdoer. “One thing so simple as one individual dealing with peanuts or tree nuts and touching my flask and even touching the water jug with out washing their arms first. That’s all it takes.”
“Positively one thing that’s at all times been behind my thoughts, however hoped I’d by no means have to really expertise,” Frehlich informed Canadian Operating. “However sadly extra widespread than you assume. I’ve a pal who’s celiac, and skilled one thing comparable whereas operating an extremely final yr.”
Frehlich was a professional triathlete at a younger age, however says cross-contamination wasn’t a critical concern in that sport. “It’s undoubtedly a difficulty I’ve solely actually skilled in path/extremely, because the gas/water stations have far more than simply some drink cups and bananas and gels (however even most gels are off limits for me, as many firms both put nuts in them or use a producing facility that isn’t protected),” Frehlich explains. “However a really terrifying factor to have behind your thoughts as you allow an help station out to a bit of path that’s distant, inaccessible and has no service.”
Frehlich has shared her expertise as a result of she says that whereas extreme allergic reactions are widespread, they’re typically neglected. “It’s terrifying that you are able to do all the things proper (pack all your individual meals and clear your arms continuously), however have your race, not to mention doubtlessly your life, finish as a result of one thing out of your management,” she says.
To study extra about meals allergens and security, take a look at Meals Allergy Canada, a non-profit group devoted to serving to Canadians with meals allergic reactions.
