This weird thing has been happening to me after my workouts. I run on the treadmill and get so tired and hot that when I slow it down for cool down, I become really chilled. I feel like I might pass out, but it only lasts about a minute and then I feel fine. I just tell myself to keep walking and hold onto the side rails until I feel better. Have you ever heard of such a thing? It's kind of spooky.

Lemart23

That is spooky, Lemart. It has happened to me after sprinting at the end of a running race in hot weather and having to come to a dead stop in the finishing chute to have my number recorded. I would also get the dry heaves.

I have this picture in my mind of you running at top speed and then, just when you're about to blow up, slowing the treadmill way down to a crawl. If that's the case, maybe you need a more gradual cool down. The more intense your pace, the more gradual your cool down should be. If someone walks at 4 mph (15 minutes per mile) for 30 minutes and slows to 3 mph and then 2 mph, and takes five minutes in doing so, that's a reasonable cool down.

If someone runs for a half-hour near her maximum speed, let's say 8 mph (7.5 minutes per mile), and then slows the treadmill to a 4 mph walk for two minutes, that's a drastic change in intensity in too short a time. There is a potential for a sudden drop in blood pressure by slowing so suddenly. That can cause temporary dizziness, similar to when you get dizzy from standing up too quickly after sitting or lying down for a while. If it's possible, have a qualified exercise specialist or trainer monitor your blood pressure prior to, during and just after your workout to see if there are any sudden changes in your blood pressure. If there are, you should see your doctor.

The other possibility is that you're just throwing off a lot of heat in a cool gym. If a gym is a little cool, say 66 degrees (American College of Sports Medicine guidelines say 68-72 degrees, with no higher than 60% humidity is ideal) after you get all heated up, your body is still trying to cool itself after your workout. A wet, clammy shirt can lead to the chilled feeling. I always put on a dry tee-shirt when I'm done with my cardio workout before I continue stretching or lifting weights. There's a little more laundry to do, but it's better than feeling like you're training in a walk-in refrigerator!

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