Why has running become such a slog?

[theonlygothinthevillage]

I've been running regularly for about 6 years, with breaks for the latter stages of pregnancy and recovery. I've never been hugely speedy (nor have I tried to), nor have I been interested in competing, but have kept it up just to avoid becoming too much of slob.

For the past couple of months, though, it's been seriously difficult. 30 seconds in, and I feel like a sack of spuds. I'm consistently much slower than I was even 6 months or so ago. I sometimes stop and walk (which I never did before), and once I've done that I find it very hard to start running again. I can't understand why it's become so difficult! Is it just age (I'm 39)? Does anyone have any ideas?

A bit of background: I'm slim, don't have any health problems, and typically I run only twice a week, covering 18-20km in total.

I don't know the answer but am would love to know why its happening as i'm going through the same. I've been out for a run this morning but after the first mile my legs felt like lead weights and I walked the rest of the route. I have been told its due to over training though I only do a longer run once a week and 2 shorter runs on alternative days so don't really think that's the answer.

i'm bit older than you (42) and not been running as long, only 2 years and have a half marathon in 4 weeks time. at this rate I won't be doing it and am thinking about going back to power walking as I had no problems with that.

Glad I'm not the only one, at least! I have a few techniques I use to overcome the urge to walk (e.g. deciding I'll carry on running until point X then see how I feel, by which time I'm usually happy to carry on running) but, yes, feeling like 'lead weights' is a good way of describing it.

I guess I could try taking a break from it for a week if I can't identify any other likely explanation ...

I don't have any answers but a couple of years ago I was running 8k five to five times per week, switched to swimming because of a problem with my ankle and haven't been able to do anything like that amount of running.

I do other forms of cardio instead, think it's best to have as many options as possible for getting my exercise fix :o

(I'm 48 if that's relevant)

I noticed something was wrong when I was at the gym and I couldn't keep up with a very unfit 70 year old. My legs felt like lead and I was becoming breathless quite easily, so I went to the Gp. I was early 40s.

Lots of blood tests later and they found I was very anaemic. I did have other symptoms though- are you tired generally?

Thanks ... I'm not generally tired, but maybe that would be worth checking out as I did have very low iron when I was pregnant. Otherwise maybe I'll just have a week off. It's a good excuse to laze around :D

I hope it's not age, I'm 43 and don't feel like this running! Could you be a little bored with it? Maybe try some other exercise, like swimming or a class of some kind? Some people have recommended to me mixing up runs, so doing different routes, doing intervals and so on. Maybe a break or a change of running pattern/route might help.

Distance running can deplete it iron levels although it doesn't sound like you are running such a high mileage that this would be the cause. It certainly might be worth checking out if you have had low iron levels before.
The other thing is dehydration so ensure you are generally drinking enough fluids. Are you running on an empty stomach ? Have you altered the time of day you run ?
If you don't feel generally tired, and you are in otherwise good health, I would carry on with some easy running without expectation and maybe it will pass. A week off is a good idea. I find running can be tedious but I do miss it when I tell myself not to run!