A bit of background- I got to the end of week 5 last Thursday (18th) and had run for 20 minutes non stop and I think had run about 2 miles and was feeling brilliant about myself and my progress.
On Friday (19th) I donated blood. I was almost, but not quite, anemic (they had to put my blood in a machine as I was borderline - I had 28 and you need 25 to donate, if that means anything to anyone!).
On Monday (22nd) I did week 6, run 1 and although I managed it, it was so hard. It is little runs interspersed with walking and surely should be easy having done a 20 minute straight run?! I felt like my legs were going to drop off- I felt like I was running through treacle and I had terribly painful shins too.
Today (24th) I went to try week 6, run 2. I did the first 10 minute run and really really struggled. I got part-way through the second run and got interrupted by a phone call (grrrr) and had to stop running. I had to walk for a bit and found it really hard to run again. My thighs and calves felt like they were exhausted- I could hardly put one leg in front of the other, it was like all my energy had been drained. Not to mention that I also felt dizzy and was wandering around all over the place too.
Two other bits of information I should mention: I have asthma and nasal problems, which whilst it is well controlled can make it difficult for me to breath enough sometimes.
Secondly- I am also doing the 5:2 diet. My fast days last week were Tuesday (16th) and Thursday (18th) and this week were Monday (22nd) and today (24th). Not sure if that is affecting anything either.
So- basically my question is have I suddenly become really really unfit or does blood donation affect running, even 5 days later?? If so, when will I get better and what should I do about running in the meantime?