Running low on steam...........

[Glitter]

Please lend me advice.....I run 4x a week, usually 3.5 miles in 34 minutes. I don't know if that's good or not, but I stick with it, recently I added the .5. I run it on a treadmill at a level 2 incline. I lift weights 2 other days and I take Sunday off. The past week or so I have been having trouble getting past 2.25 miles. My legs just feel weak. I have been lifting very hard, could that be it? I've also been gaining weight here and there too, some of it I know if from too much cheating, but I've been having trouble getting very tired - exhausted. I think it may have something to do with my adrenals. I'm going to get bloodwork in the next week and see the doctor in early january. I'm just disappointed that I can't get my run in. Especially if I don't do it first thing in the morning, I have noticed I do extremely bad if I work out later in the day. Any ideas?

[DarcySparty]

Hmmm...this sounds very frustrating. I think the most important thing is to find out what the blood work shows. If it's something medical, then all the good eating in the world won't do much good. However, I also think you're making things more difficult by poor eating. I know that, in the past, I exercised but ate badly. Those workouts were awful, and my stomach was often upset. Just try your best to keep a 95% perfect P2 (I know that the times where you feel crummy and feel low about yourself are the most trying times). If you can, bump up the doctor's appointment. And, just realize that if you get 2.25 miles in, that's a heckuva lot more than if you'd just stayed in bed. Give yourself a little break and a little credit for continuing to run, even though you feel so badly.

Best of luck. Let us know how things turn out.

[bec]

How are you fueling for your workouts? Even with a relatively short distance, you need to fuel and hydrate properly. You should start your morning with a good protein, and enough carbs to get through your workout. What you are experiencing while running, is called bonking. When I'm running more than 30 minutes, I take a gel fuel (usually a Gu) before my run. If I'm running longer than an hour, I will take another mid-run. It helps me to not get dehydrated. Some people like sports drinks to help replace electrolytes. This is one of those instances, when I need to consider how my body is functioning, versus how strict to SB I intend to be. By planning a large portion of my protein to be pre-run, I am allowing my body to function and call upon the energy it needs.

[Glitter]

Thanks! Well, generally I eat a lot of protein as I am very sensitive to grains. I do eat a ton of veggies and beans, and usually crackers. For breakfast I eat eggs, or leftovers. The really odd thing that even stumps my doc, is that I can get up at 5:30am, have a cup of coffee and some water and run 3.5 miles with no problem. However, if I wait and run say after dinner, trouble hits. Lately, it is very apparent something isn't right when I run. I tried running Saturday at noon and got that leg stringy weak feeling. I had eaten eggs for breakfast. I know I am hypoglycemic bad - if thats a diagnosis. I cannot eat grains for breakfast, and MUST always pair them with a protein. I do best with triscuits as my grain with tuna salad or chicken salad. I also take a minute break to drink water during my run. I know it's not far, but it is something I can stick with. I have really increased my weight lifting, I am noticing positive effects on my droopy parts! I'm wondering if I worked my legs too hard, though they are not sore this week.

[bec]

What about a starchy veggie or fruit. I do really well with some yogurt and a banana as a pre-run fuel. Honestly, it sounds like your body is craving something. What about salt? I know some people have a salt issue, and really need more when they are exercising more. Try this test, the next time you are feeling weak while running. Bring a packet of salt and just lick a little (kind of like you are about to take a shot of tequila, but no booze ). If it tastes really good, it is likely a salt imbalance. Try an electrolyte replacement, salt tab, or even just straight salt. I know this may sound counter-intuitive on a board and WOE that tends to deal with hypertension, and other heart problems, but, some people just burn through the salt when they exercise and sweat.