Total loss of stamina almost overnight - tooth infection to blame?

[IrianofWay]

I ran a 10k race last week. It was a really hot day but I did OK. Up till that point I had been running 10k three times a week with a shorter club run as well. I felt the fittest I had been in ages.

SInce then I had just totally lost my mojo. I ran 10k on friday but it nearly killed me and managed a 5k in about 45 mins this morning.

I am struggling to work out why - the only thing I can come up with is that I have a tooth abcess that I can't get treated until next week. I had been taking loads of ibuprofen and paracetamol but it seemed to suddenly eased this week and now it just aches a bit. I know when you get a cold it can make you slower but would an infection of this kind have this effect?

running in unaccustomed heat can really take it out of you ime, that might be part of the problem Irian?

Thanks suzanne. I just didn't the effects would last over a week.

hmm, I see what you mean, could be the infection...sounds reasonable to assume that it would reduce the overall amount of 'ooomph' available to you?

(hope you're back on form soon :) )