HELP.. Lost my ability to run?!?!?!

inge88

Okay, here's the story.. I started running in October and build it up quite quickly... So halfway November I did my first 10km. In December I even did 15km. It wasn't easy, but I could do it and I really enjoyed it. I ran twice a week, 10km on Wednesday and 15 on Saturday. My last 15km run was on the 28th of December.
Over New Year's we went on a hike - 135km in 3.5 days. Absolutely exhausting and hard on my legs and feet. So I gave my legs a week's rest and tried to get back into running... and FAILED! I really struggle now. I still try twice a week but I just can't seem to do it. I struggle after 1km and want to stop! My body feels tired, I am not in the right mindset. I have only done a 10km once ever since my hike and it was a huuuuge struggle. I only completed it because I really forced myself to do it, hoping I could get back into running.. it hasn't helped..

Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have advice?

I try to run less now, just to do 5km.. but I am really not enjoying it and find myself stopping way before I am done. I want to get back to enjoying running again instead of hating and dreading it!

Mrscanmore

I'm wondering if you went too hard too fast. I usually do one long, slower run a week, and then 3 - 4 shorter runs (depending on the distance I am training for). I also follow John Stanton's (of the running room) running program, and so on my long runs I do 10 min run, 1 min walk. I even do this on race day. The one minute walk allows your body to recover, and when you get to that low spot, it is easier to think that you only have a few minutes left until walk than trying to think about how many km you have left until you are done!! I'm thinking there probably aren't any running rooms in Australia (They are from Canada) so if you can't find more info on the runningroom web site, and you want me to send you some of the training programs, e-mail me and let me know. You may also want to find a running parter! I know that I can go soooo much longer when I'm running with my parter!

iRun126

I feel your pain! The same thing happened to me last Spring. I am not sure why it happened, but I lost my speed/energy. I ran a 10 mile race in April at a 9 minute/mile pace. Then by the first week in May, I was signed up to run a half marathon and struggled to keep a 10:30/mile pace. For a while I was really frustrated, but instead of trying to keep my previous training paces, I decided to slow way down and work on my endurance. I ran my first marathon this fall at an 11 minute/mile pace. After the marathon I decided to take a month off from running and go to other aerobic classes and spinning classes at the gym. This is the best thing I could have done because I was having fun, staying in shape, and not stressing about running. This winter I have started running again and am trying to regain some of my speed. I have decided to run for 30 minutes 4-5 days a week. I started at 5.0 mph on the treadmill and every week I have increased my speed by .1 mph. At the beginning this seemed too slow, but I think this will be key in helping me feel confident with my foundation and feel like I am making progress every day. I would suggest trying the same thing. Just pick a time, not distance, and run this amount of time a few times a week at a comfortable pace. Then each week increase your speed little by little. Try to relax while you run and not think about your pace. The goal is to just get back into a running routine, not get back to where you used to be on the first day. I enjoy watching movies while I run on the treadmill, but if you run outside or do not have a TV nearby, you could make a fun playlist. Good luck!