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Original poster

Lost my power when running! Middle aged...

42 replies

powerdownrunner · 22/01/2024 14:02

Any other runners, running in middle age ( peri-menopause) who have any advice?

I like running trail and hills and have always particularly loved the feeling of power I have running up hills and inclines, like I can feel the strength in my body powering me up.

Well that's disappeared. Totally. I struggle with every step to keep going and need to walk where I used to run. This is quite a sudden change.

I thought it was because I have tailed down my running and if I got back into training it would come back. So I've been running twice a week ( not long runs - only about 3 to 6k) and strength training for 45 mins twice a week.

But its made no difference, other than I am now shattered. Really, physically worn out and tired in my body.

Is this due to peri-menopause? What can I do about it? Any advice on diet/ supplements or training? I am on HRT and have been for about 18-24 months.

I feel really despondent about it. That feeling of power and capability was one of life's small joys. I don't want it gone forever!

OP posts:
Original poster
powerdownrunner · 23/01/2024 07:40

DumpseyDaisey · 22/01/2024 17:11

I get this when my iron and b12 are low. I've found as I get older I don't seem to absorb enough from my diet to cover what running takes out. Worth getting those levels checked too.

Thanks. I had stopped taking an iron supplement but started again recently so I’ll see if that makes a difference. Do I need to go to dr for b12 test?

OP posts:
Original poster
powerdownrunner · 23/01/2024 07:39

redheadsaregreat · 22/01/2024 16:54

57

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Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
powerdownrunner · 23/01/2024 07:38

LuckyCharmz · 22/01/2024 16:57

Another other peri meno symptoms that might indicate you aren’t absorbing your oestrogen or need to up the dose?
Have you added in testosterone to your hrt regime?

I think I am on maximum oestrogen, but not on testosterone. Could this help?

OP posts:
PurpleOrchid42 · 22/01/2024 19:11

Well you really need to see a doctor if this is a sudden change.

Nevergoingtowualify · 22/01/2024 18:15

I get you! I'm severely anaemic, only found out when I could barely run in the autumn, I'd been doing ultra marathons up until then. I'm in my late 50's, do get your bloods done

DumpseyDaisey · 22/01/2024 17:11

I get this when my iron and b12 are low. I've found as I get older I don't seem to absorb enough from my diet to cover what running takes out. Worth getting those levels checked too.

NeptunaOfTheMermaidBattleSquadron · 22/01/2024 17:04

Are you on any other medications at all? A combo of sertraline and olanzapine did this to me. I've taken both separately at other times in life and never managed to repeat the issue so think it was just an interaction.

LuckyCharmz · 22/01/2024 16:57

Another other peri meno symptoms that might indicate you aren’t absorbing your oestrogen or need to up the dose?
Have you added in testosterone to your hrt regime?

redheadsaregreat · 22/01/2024 16:54

powerdownrunner · 22/01/2024 16:52

@redheadsaregreat How are old are you?

57

PaminaMozart · 22/01/2024 16:54

If it's this sudden and drastic, you'll want to see your doctor for a thorough physical, including complete blood work.

Original poster
powerdownrunner · 22/01/2024 16:52

@redheadsaregreat How are old are you?

OP posts:
Original poster
powerdownrunner · 22/01/2024 16:50

Maybe I will look into the thyroid thing.

It’s not like I have had a gradual decline. It’s more like falling off a cliff.

I did a race Sat and I could’ve cried at the end. It’s a course I did last year and all the places I could power up last year I was struggling to walk up this year. I really struggled through the whole course. It was awful.

I used to do races and feel elated and pleased at the end. Now I just feel shit.

And I’m absolutely shattered since the race. Utterly beat.

This just doesn’t feel normal or like a normal age related slow decline.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 22/01/2024 16:38

There is no getting around the fact that getting older comes with needing to make some adjustments. I'm nearly 70 and, these days, I only go for a couple of short runs a week.

But I weight train, seriously, and do a fair bit of HIIT. 60-90 minutes most days. I think I'm actually fitter than I was in my 50s - even if I can't run as fast or as long as I used to. I can still ski several hours a day and keep up with fellow skiers half my age.

Himawarigirl · 22/01/2024 16:21

My dad is a lifelong runner, multiple marathons in his 70s etc. he experienced this and it turned out he had a thyroid issue. He’s now on medication for it and is back to normal. But he noticed his usual runs were taking longer and felt harder so he mentioned it when having a check up. They investigated and actually he did need the intervention provided.

redheadsaregreat · 22/01/2024 16:18

Oh gawd I know this. I used to do more HIIT up until maybe mid 2021. I changed things up. Increased my weights based training. Still do HIIT but more short in duration.
I've lost my jumpability. I'm not as springy. I feel heavy. I also thought I'd ramp it up incase it was due to doing slightly less but no. 6 months of pushing it and I still feel heavy footed and not at all springy.

I feel like had I not scaled it back for 18 months I still would have lost some ability. I didn't ever stop. I just scaled it back a bit. And now I have pushed it up a bit. It's gone. Is this what happens with age. I mean no one is as springy at 80 as they were at 40. No one. Not even Olympic standard people. It must just slowly decline.

Original poster
powerdownrunner · 22/01/2024 14:19

Its a bodyweight strength training class at my local gym.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 22/01/2024 14:14

What kind of strength training are you doing?
Have you tried Caroline Girvan?
Not just her weights based workouts, but also her HIIT...