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Original poster

Can anyone help me with my running? I have ground to an unexpected halt!

41 replies

clary · 05/03/2022 13:19

Bit of background - I have been a runner for years, really a 10k runner but have done a few halfs as well. I have run regularly (3-4x a week) for at least 12 years and run daily for the last 3 or so. I also swim and latterly do a daily yoga practice. So I would say I was fit but not ludicrously so. I am a slowish runner (55min is my 10k pb, I swim a mile in about 45 mins).

So here is the issue - over the last while (six months? not sure really) I have really really struggled with distance. I am barely able to run 5k without having to stop - out of breath or just exhausted. Stamina for swimming seems to be OK as in, I can still swim my 1K-1-mile distance.

What is wrong and what can I do? I have agreed to do a 10k with a friend in about a month's time - she is not super fast and normally this would not be an issue but I am genuinely worried I won't get round?

I haven't done any races for a while due to Covid obvs; the last 10k I did was about 2.5 years ago now. But in lockdown I was running 7-8 k no worries.

Three things: 1) I have put on weight (lots of reasons, comfort eating due to other issues in my life, v sedentary job that moved to wfh, stopped doing 5:2) 2) I am post-menopausal (but that is not very new) and 3) I had Covid in the summer but not badly, one day in bed is all.

Anyone got any great tips for improving my stamina? Should I be eating more pasta or going to bed at 10pm every night? Would love you thoughts, TIA

OP posts:
Susu49 · 05/03/2022 15:00

Sounds a bit like overtraining - Google symptoms

Landedonfeet · 05/03/2022 15:00

Running daily
That will be a contributing factor

CatDogMonkeyPOW · 05/03/2022 14:58

Thyroid? I'm very similar to you in terms of running ability but I recently started to struggle and gained weight. Turns out I've got an underactive thyroid.

EmmaGellerGreen · 05/03/2022 14:56

Also get B12 levels checked. I felt like I was running through treacle, exhausted, couldn’t get my breath. B12 was really low. I had 6 injections over 2 weeks and I was back to normal. I have an injection every 12 weeks now.

Original poster
clary · 05/03/2022 14:52

Good advice all, thanks.

I do need to lose the weight - you are right, it is as if I am carrying around a massive bag of potatoes - bound to make it harder.

I will look at getting my iron checked too; that has been an issue before but stupidly bc I no longer have periods I dismissed it as a possibility, but of course it could still be a problem.

Will try to scale down to a couple of my runs being very short and that might give me the impetus to make a couple of them seriously longer, thanks :)

OP posts:
LizziesTwin · 05/03/2022 14:49

I think weights & improving your core strength would help. I agree that running everyday isn’t necessary, you need to rest especially when you aren’t 20.

Ribenery · 05/03/2022 14:44

I put on a stone and lost 10mins off my 5k pace

Weight is horrendous for running pace. Every now and then I pick up a big bag of potatoes and think that's how my body feels Grin

fellrunner85 · 05/03/2022 14:38

I'm wondering if it's the weight gain. It's so much harder to run when you're carrying more than usual. After my DD was born I still had 3st of baby weight to lose, and running was incredibly difficult - I felt leaden, tired, and rather like I was carrying a huge sack of rocks on my back. But once I shifted it I ended up faster than I was before (5k PB went from 23 mins to 20 mins!)

I would cut your running back to 4x a week rather than daily, and do something else that gets the heart rate up on the other days - spinning is great, I find, for replicating the sprint feeling of a fast run. Or even just your yoga or a walk.

Combine that with decent sleep, and a balanced diet, and hopefully the weight should shift and you'll get a bit pacier again.

Smarshian · 05/03/2022 14:20

I am not an expert, but I would start with not running daily. I think your body needs to recover between days and at least 2 rest days a week should help.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
Then I would suggest following a running plan, including a couple of shorter, faster runs and a longer run once a week.
Finally, running is such a mental game and sometimes when you convince yourself you are struggling it’s a self fulfilling prophecy, perhaps some positive thinking/ or motivational music will help?

morningstarz · 05/03/2022 14:17

Rest! Running every day is a recipe for disaster, your body gets stronger and fitter from rest… as this is when it recovers. I’d take a few weeks off, just do the gentle yoga, then ease back in. Don’t do more than 4 or 5 runs a week.

I’m a cyclist (I race). I’ve been cycling yonks. I’d never dream of cycling daily. At the most I might ride 6 days a week. I also do two - three weeks, getting progressively more difficult, then a recovery week. It’s so important to factor easier weeks in, as well as rest days. I also take several weeks off every 6 months or so. I’ve never lost fitness… just got progressively stronger.

gnatgnu · 05/03/2022 14:14

I was going to say get your iron checked too - sounds very similar to me when mine was low….

FourEyesGood · 05/03/2022 14:10

How are your iron levels? I struggled with stamina when I got borderline anaemic, so now I take an iron supplement (and try to make sure I get decent sleep - not always easy!) and that seems to have improved things.

Original poster
clary · 05/03/2022 13:46

yy losing weight is going to help I imagine. To be fair to me tho, I have been this wight before (ish) and still managed to run a decent distance.

sorry I was not reverse boasting about my 10k times; I was very pleased with 55mins too :D but I didn't want anyone to think I was some super-fast athlete just because I exercise regularly. I am not and never have been; but I was able to run for a decent while and now seemingly I cannot. I struggled round 4k this morning.

I am startign to wonder if it may be related to the Covid but I was really not that unwell and had no breathing issues with it at all.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 05/03/2022 13:30

You’ve pretty much described me and my situation @clary, although I don’t run daily or do yoga., I wouldn’t knock your 10k and 1 mile swim times though, I’d be pleased with them! My 10k pb was 1:01.

I’m wondering if some 1:1 coaching might help. A losing weight of course.

CanIPleaseHaveOne · 05/03/2022 13:25

Answer me ? It may help move it along!

CanIPleaseHaveOne · 05/03/2022 13:25

Givng you a bump as I am interested.....

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