Running and TOTM

kelli543
kelli543 Posts: 24 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I run about 15-20 miles a week, usually in four sessions - one long run 6miles+, one medium 4-5 miles, one short-recovery session, and one long recovery - both of these with a UKA coach at my running club. It has taken a long time to get into running (I on;y really started a couple of years ago) and I am not particularly fast, and can't go particularly far but I have noticed that about one week in four running is a *real* effort. Everything hurts, I can't go as far, or as fast and I am more exhausted afterwards. I certainly enjoy it less - it is a chore during this week.

Is this just psycological - just me blaming something for a duff week? Or is there some genuinely physiological reason why my hormones doing their monthly flip makes running so much harder?

ETA: I'd ask the coaches, but they are both blokes and would be terribly embarrassed to have some daft old bird asking them about periods!

Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    It could be a little of Column A and a little of Column B. Everyone's hormones are going to be different, and everyone's body is different. I am sometimes more tired feelings, but my workouts generally stay the same. But, I feel that I'm generally lucky in the department, no unusual heaviness or crampiness. Just go with how you feel. If you have to ease up, do it. If you think it's totally psychological, push really hard and see what happens.
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I do find working out a little harder when its my TOM especially the first few days. it is much better now I take a multivitamin that includes iron.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    as i understand it, you're supposed to take a 'recovery' week every 4 or so weeks anyways - so you could just scale down the running volume for that week...
  • kelli543
    kelli543 Posts: 24 Member
    Ha ha! An excuse to skive off...

    It isn't cramping or anything, I just feel a LOT more tired and achey - all the normal aches and pains seem worse. My muscles seem stiffer, warming up takes longer and feels harder, and the lovely golden window where running is fun - once you are warm and before you are knackered - seems much shorter. I usually just push on through, but am SO tired *yawn*

Categories