Vegetarian - finding running really hard work

[oldwife]

So I have been running as exercise/sport since I turned 40. Now 8 years later still enjoying it but in the past few months have altered my diet to being predominantly vegetarian. (I tend to only eat meat/fish when away on holiday or visiting other people - don't buy it amd cook at home).

I am currently training for a half marathon and really struggling. I have done these distances before now and while it was hard it was nowhere near as tough. I feel as if I have NO power in my legs, breathing is laboured.

Could it be a lack of iron!? My diet is pretty healthy. I eat loads of veggies, some fruits, cool with lentils and beans etc. Drink gallons of water.

I do feel tired but that could be from the running. Or not.

Any quick fixes? My Half Marathon is in two weeks amd I have to do it.

I even bought chicken thighs yesterday for dinner.

A lot of vegetarians take iron supplements, and other vitamins - especially when they do activities that require them to physically exert themselves. Do you take any vitamins at the moment?

I'm a half marathon runner and I swear by iron. I have been taking it for a year now and it really helps. I run 25 miles a week a have an eight month old so quite sleep deprived but I feel fine when running.

I highly recommend iron.

Also do you use gels when on long runs? I use one every three miles of I'm running more than six miles.

Thanks for replies.

No supplements - I think maybe I need to look into it. I haven't used gels. I nibble (or used to) jelly babies for the sugar on a longer route.

Yesterday was an 8 miler but I had to walk quite a lot of it as just could not move. Was totally exhausted all afternoon.

Any suggestions for a quick fix? Iron wise. I have to do this half..

I will check out gels this week too.

Be a bit careful on what you take as an iron supplement. Some of the prescribed iron meds are notorious for giving stomach upsets, cramps, black stools etc. Can be quite grim so maybe try to increase via diet first then look into more natural supplements if you can.

Could your B12 be low? That can be an issue for vegetarians.

When I was vegtn I was also a regular blood donor...but sometimes got turned away due to low iron. One time I was fairly ill after donating when I think I shouldn't have donated. On paper my diet should have provided enough iron, but I don't think I'm cut out to be vegtn.

Floradix was a good supplement when I did have one.

Hope I'm not too late to this thread but do not take iron supplements without consulting your doctor first, please. I have been told that too much iron is extremely bad for you (also veggie). Get your bloods done so a doctor can identify what you're actually missing and recommend the relevant supplement. Please don't self-diagnose and prescribe yourself iron supplements. Good luck.