Running getting harder not easier

dydn11402
dydn11402 Posts: 103 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I don't understand what's been happening to me. I started c25k 5 weeks ago and was feeling great. A week ago, even 3 weeks ago I was able to run 10 minutes straight and felt great doing it. For the last few days I feel terrible 2 minutes into it. I can't breath, my legs hurt and I just feel like stopping. Been pushing myself but end off totally exhausted. To add insult to injury I've gained 2.5 lbs this week.
Any insight as to what may be happening?

Replies

  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Try slowing down. No reason to race through it. Go at a pace that you can complete the workout.
  • JohnnyCashMoney
    JohnnyCashMoney Posts: 142
    Use a HR monitor and slow the heck down.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Agree with slowing down.

    Also, how's the weather where you are? If it's like it is here, it went from comfortably cool to beastly hot and humid in the past week. I don't think anyone can maintain the same pace in high temps.
  • dydn11402
    dydn11402 Posts: 103 Member
    I dont think its my speed because I'm going at the same speed I was going before (which is slow to begin with). Even during my warmup walk im feeling the difference.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Maybe you've been under eating. You have to fuel that activity. When I don't eat enough, within about two weeks I know it by my total lack of ability or motivation to perform.
  • Wgbn32
    Wgbn32 Posts: 38 Member
    Same thing happens to me. I think its just your body adjusting to the added stress.

    I continued my same routine though and just yesterday I ran my first mile without stopping. 13 minute pace...which i know is crazy slow...but it was a huge accomplishment. I actually ran a mile and a half.

    The key is just to push through the tough days. Stop when you need to stop but stay consistent. Eventually you will break through.
  • JankaLee
    JankaLee Posts: 35 Member
    Agreed. Weather plays a big role. It's been averaging 88 degrees here..and for a Canadian gal like me that's too damn hot! Even working out in the gym has been a struggle. Slow your pace down a bit, make sure you're also working on your flexibility and core strength on your off days. Make a log of what you are eating/drinking before your run. Were you perhaps more hydrated on the days you did well? Did you eat something that typically leaves you feeling great or sluggish?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I don't understand what's been happening to me. I started c25k 5 weeks ago and was feeling great. A week ago, even 3 weeks ago I was able to run 10 minutes straight and felt great doing it. For the last few days I feel terrible 2 minutes into it. I can't breath, my legs hurt and I just feel like stopping. Been pushing myself but end off totally exhausted. To add insult to injury I've gained 2.5 lbs this week.
    Any insight as to what may be happening?

    You're probably trying to push yourself too hard...it takes time, and a lot of it to up your fitness. Also, it is pretty much mathematically and scientifically impossible for you to have gained 2.5 Lbs of actual fat this week unless you've really been going to town. Remember, 2.5 Lbs of actual fat in a given week would be an excess of calories over maintenance (your MFP goal has a deficit) of 8,750 calories over 7 days. Not impossible to do, but you'd really have to just be letting yourself go balls to the wall on food and drink. If you haven't been doing that then you didn't gain 2.5 Lbs of actual fat...it is water.
  • Surfrider
    Surfrider Posts: 364 Member
    My first guess would be your diet. You need to sufficiently fuel your body. Not just calorie counts, but good nutritious food. If I start eating too many empty calories the first place I notice is in the gym, not the scale!
  • Liz_Mfp
    Liz_Mfp Posts: 172 Member
    Slow down, take more rest days
    :-)
    Really.
    It works !

    Remember, not everyday is race-day
  • Liz_Mfp
    Liz_Mfp Posts: 172 Member
    I dont think its my speed w
    because I'm going at the same speed

    It's your speed :-)
    If you slow down you can go longer :)
  • blackcloud13
    blackcloud13 Posts: 654 Member
    Any idea what's behind the weight gain? Might be related. Also be sure you're downing enough water
  • shannongoneau
    shannongoneau Posts: 246 Member
    Try out interval running. I really like it and it pushes me to go faster and lets me slow down when I need to.
  • dydn11402
    dydn11402 Posts: 103 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes the weather turned really hot suddenly and it's possible I haven't been drinking enough so I will concentrate on that. As far as what I've been eating, my cals have been under but I've eaten more sugar in the past week than before so maybe that's played a role. Will hydrate and eat cleaner and keep plugging away and will hopefully push through. Thanks for the help :)
  • Sinarv
    Sinarv Posts: 7
    As frustrating as it is, maybe your body is telling you to slow down....I was the same way as you and I kept pushing myself...so much so that I ended up on two weeks of antibiotics and the doctor banned me from running for a month....I could only walk...I really exhausted myself...I felt ok but I didn't listen to my body,,,,and it finally told me when I just stopped functiioning...take a break and do something else like yoga, biking, zumba...trust me its not nice to have your own body teach you a lesson....
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    as long as you dont have any underlying medical issues like hbp, diabetes, etc then i'd say make sure you aren't somehow increasing your pace
  • Lynnmi07
    Lynnmi07 Posts: 131 Member
    Has your diet changed? Are you significantly under eating and it is now catching up to you? Are you dehydrated? Are you doing other workouts on top of it that you weren't previously? Do you have rest days?
  • Surfrider
    Surfrider Posts: 364 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes the weather turned really hot suddenly and it's possible I haven't been drinking enough so I will concentrate on that. As far as what I've been eating, my cals have been under but I've eaten more sugar in the past week than before so maybe that's played a role. Will hydrate and eat cleaner and keep plugging away and will hopefully push through. Thanks for the help :)

    Both dehydration and empty sugar calories will absolutely do it. Hydrate and eat clean and let us know in a week how you do!!

    Good luck!
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes the weather turned really hot suddenly
    Heat has a tremendous effect. Everybody feels it and slows down when it gets hot.
  • dpollet2
    dpollet2 Posts: 68 Member
    Yes. Just yes to all of the advice above. Sometimes that first mile is a bunch of curse words that I can't post here. It could be any number of things. When that happens, I usually take a few days off.
  • Gwen_B
    Gwen_B Posts: 1,018 Member
    I just say take baby steps. Slowly increase speed and distance and don't take too many breaks in between or it will be like starting over and over!!! I went from running .25 miles to 5.5 miles!! You can do it. just don't give up!!!
  • ozigal
    ozigal Posts: 173 Member
    Eat a banana about 20-30mins before you go out for a run for the energy. Make sure you are well hydrated and SLOW down. It's not about distance, it's just about getting it done at that stage. Speed will come later. Right now you just want to get to a point where you can run for the alotted minutes. Distance and speed are NOT a consideration.

    I did the same thing as you and I felt the same way.
  • lnxjenn
    lnxjenn Posts: 64 Member
    Also make sur eyou're not getting sick. I know I can't run or walk or do the elliptical very well if I"m having respitory problems, like allergies. I'm finally catching up with my workouts after having bad bad cough with my allergies. Slowing down might be a good idea as well.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    I dont think its my speed because I'm going at the same speed I was going before (which is slow to begin with). Even during my warmup walk im feeling the difference.

    Do you feel okay in yourself OP or have you got a temperature etc?

    The reason I ask is because I have had identical reactions to my own training during the last few weeks, then today, sitting at my PC I suddenly couldn't breathe, had to call in sick to work and went back to bed - I have an infection and am off to the doctors first thing tomorrow to see if he will give me antibiotics.

    Don't beat yourself up over feeling rotten during your training, there could be a far different reason for it.
  • DavidMartinez2
    DavidMartinez2 Posts: 840 Member
    Yes the weather turned really hot suddenly and it's possible I haven't been drinking enough
    Running in the heat sucks. When the temperatures go up your body has to work much harder in trying to cool your core which is taking energy you usually use for the workout. Don't get discouraged, once things get back to a reasonable temperature you will be like a beast when you go run.
    Also hydration is important, especially in heat, but drinking a gallon of water is not going to counteract the effects of crazy high temps. Even if you hydrate you will still feel like crap until your body acclimates to the warmer temps. My wife is doing C25K and is working very hard to get out and run as early as possible in the morning before it gets a chance to heat up.
  • Zekela
    Zekela Posts: 634 Member
    I agree that the heat could be a factor... extreme heat or cold will hinder performance... Heat doesn't affect me that much though. However, lack of food does, probably you aren't eating enough and / or not getting all the required nutrients your body needs. Also, try changing up your course (I find straight and flat courses allow me to go faster compared to running around in a community, on a treadmill or say a half a mile loop).
  • dpollet2
    dpollet2 Posts: 68 Member
    Not sure where you are from, OP, but if you are in an area that is very hot, know that if you hydrate well you will get used to the heat. I'm in south Texas, and run races all summer. Drink plenty of water all day long, not just right before or during a run. It's tempting to jump on a treadmill some days, and yeah, sometimes I do that too, but if you plan on running any races outside it's important to train outside and get used to the heat.

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