Leg Weakness

JustJeff1977

I started running a few months ago for the first time in my life (I'm 48) and its going great and I'm really enjoying it. However, I'm curious if the fatigue/weakness I've noticed in my legs is ok. I generally jog 6.25 miles on Tues, Thurs, & Sat and then do a half marathon run/walk on Sundays. My legs feel fine on the 6.25 mile runs. It’s the times when I'm not running that they feel unusually weak- I have to use my arms a lot to get up out of a chair, etc. I really don't know- is this weakness good or bad and will I just get stronger at some point? Should I do anything about it? What should I do about it? This week I'm trying resting two days after the half-marathon to see if that helps.

stanmann571

How long is a few months?

What sort of taper up did you do?

Are you losing weight? AKA Are you feeding your training program?

TavistockToad

Do you do any cross training or strength training?

That's a pretty high mileage for a beginner runner.

steveko89

Weakness/fatigue is a different animal than being sore/tired or "feeling" the exercise from the previous day. The 10k/half on back-to-back days weekly just seems like a bad idea, especially being relatively newish to running.

Distance running isn't my forte, but if someone lifting weights told me they were feeling fatigued I'd suggest doing a "deload" week or taking the week to rest entirely to recharge; this is a common periodization for a lifting regimen but I'm unsure how that logic translates to running.

echoing @ stanmann571's questions:
- how long have you been running?
- how long have you been running at this volume?
- are you eating enough to support that much mileage?
- are you following some sort of training guide/program?
- were you fit for your running shoes? how many miles do you have on your current pair?

stanmann571

steveko89 wrote: »

Weakness/fatigue is a different animal than being sore/tired or "feeling" the exercise from the previous day. The 10k/half on back-to-back days weekly just seems like a bad idea, especially being relatively newish to running.

Distance running isn't my forte, but if someone lifting weights told me they were feeling fatigued I'd suggest doing a "deload" week or taking the week to rest entirely to recharge; this is a common periodization for a lifting regimen but I'm unsure how that logic translates to running.

echoing @ stanmann571's questions:
- how long have you been running?
- how long have you been running at this volume?
- are you eating enough to support that much mileage?
- are you following some sort of training guide/program?
- were you fit for your running shoes? how many miles do you have on your current pair?

I've been off and on running/walking for years, so when I got back to running 2 years back, I had a really good base... I walked a 36 minute 5K 4 years back.... I RUN 4-10 miles per week. I do 15-30. I did a cumulative 15 a couple months back on a Saturday(mostly walking) and I felt it for 4 days. even though it had been a relatively light week otherwise. I felt pretty good right up until about the last 30 minutes or so. but I was totally smoked by the end.

1BlueAurora

I think your idea to rest two days before you do the half marathon walk/run is a good idea. I'm wondering whether that half marathon distance might need to be reduced, too, at least for a couple weeks to see whether that helps. Are you feeling just weak, or sore? If sore, it could be delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). If the half marathon distance is too strenuous, you might be getting micro tears in your muscles. I'm no doctor, so this is all just guessing on my part. Congrats on starting to run!

SonyaCele

make sure you are eating right. if your muscles aren't nourished they are gonna let you know.

collectingblues

Is there a reason you're doing a half marathon each week?

ritzvin

JeffHaber wrote: »

I started running a few months ago for the first time in my life (I'm 48) and its going great and I'm really enjoying it. However, I'm curious if the fatigue/weakness I've noticed in my legs is ok. I generally jog 6.25 miles on Tues, Thurs, & Sat and then do a half marathon run/walk on Sundays. My legs feel fine on the 6.25 mile runs.

That's probably a bit (or a lot) much if you've only been running a few months.

777Gemma888

Are you watching your proteins, carbs and electrolytes? Muscle fatigue is a real pain in the butt. You could be experiencing DOMS.

If you're really concerned, see your GP who'll recommend a specialist for you.

JustJeff1977

Thanks for all of the responses.. Here are some answers..

I’ve walked for years, but started integrating short jogs into my 5K walks starting in late January. Jogged a full 5K without walking on February 27th. Jogged first 10K without walking on April 8th.

I have been losing weight the whole time- 1.5 pounds per week. Not eating any particular types of food though I do try to focus on protein a little bit.

No cross training.

The four days a week has been pretty consistent.

Not following any training guide but I do have the goal of running half marathons without walking.

I was fit for my current shoes about a month ago- so I have about 100 miles on them.

Thinking about it a little more, I think its more weakness than soreness

I do the half marathon usually for three reasons. 1. It’s the weekend and I have the time (about 2:40:00) 2. I usually need to credit the calories for stuff I’m eating. 3. (For all the runs in general), my doctor said to exercise for at least an hour and burn at least 500 calories to do any good. Every Sunday, I do question the wisdom of going 13 miles after having done 6 the day before. I often consider taking the day off entirely for a nice 2 day healing break, but always end up running instead for the above reasons, and I do like it.

My heart rate and blood pressure have improved greatly as a result of this.

I think the mild aching may just be normal and it doesn’t really feel bad to be honest. I guess it’s the weakness that is more concerning.

Goober1142

That's almost 30 miles a week?! Good for you! I just started running last month, but only one mile and walk a mile and boy are my legs sore! I was waking up every night with restless legs and a friend suggested taking magnesium supplements and it worked. So maybe think about magnesium? Or take a break for a week?

JustJeff1977

Thanks, I'll check into the Magnesium.

Since I'm not really hearing any alarm bells here, I think I'll just reduce a little bit- cut my Saturday run down to a 5K to help with Sunday's half marathons. That's about a 10% reduction in weekly miles too. Also, I'll shift my Tuesday run to Wednesday to make a 2 day rest happen after it on Monday and Tuesday.

I did a quick add, I'm getting an average of 68 grams of protein a day which is a little low according to MFP. I'll keep looking for nutrition tips, since I don't pay too close attention to it, I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

stanmann571

JeffHaber wrote: »

Thanks, I'll check into the Magnesium.

Since I'm not really hearing any alarm bells here, I think I'll just reduce a little bit- cut my Saturday run down to a 5K to help with Sunday's half marathons. That's about a 10% reduction in weekly miles too. Also, I'll shift my Tuesday run to Wednesday to make a 2 day rest happen after it on Monday and Tuesday.

I did a quick add, I'm getting an average of 68 grams of protein a day which is a little low according to MFP. I'll keep looking for nutrition tips, since I don't pay too close attention to it, I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

I'd suggest that rather than moving the Tuesday run, you drop one of the weekend runs to just a walk, and keep the other one as your long miler. You're doing a lot of volume, and 5 months isn't necessarily too quick it is relatively a lot for a new runner.

@MeanderingMammal You're the distance expert.

mbaker566

also are you fueling during the run. it might help overall. if you are, consider trying doing other fuels