Running...a struggle all of a sudden.

Are you eating enough carbs to fuel your runs?

Karen

How significant of a temperature change? Heat and humidity can really cramp your style if you're accustomed to running in cooler temperatures. I had the most miserable run of my life last year when the weather went from pleasant and spring like to full blown summer heat & humidity practically overnight and I went out mid-day. Try running when it's cooler, early morning or in the evening.

Take your rest day, fatigue is cumulative and overtraining can result in poor form for both running and strength training which significantly increases the risk of injuring yourself.

If you've significantly upped your strength routine don't worry about dialing back your mileage for a little while (unless you're training for an upcoming race - then dial back the strength a bit)

Not sure where you live, but could the pollen be a factor at all? I know it is horrible here in Georgia where I live and even though it does not normally bother me, right now it is definitely dragging me down.

There could be lots of reasons - I've had a few phases in the last year where i just seem to lose my running mojo and it feels like hard work. I don't know exactly why - could be change in eating habits, less sleep, starting weight training, general fatigue... or just "one of those things".
My advice is to run through it. Perhaps drop your runs down to 3, 3 and 4 miles for a week or two then build back up again.
And don't underestimate the importance of rest, your body needs time to repair all the little stress tears that happen when you are exercising. It's good for your mind too!

Same thing has happened to me, I am thinking that its the strength training classes I am taking. I was doing great until I added those. I do a short 15 min workout/cardio a week plus a 1 hour cardio/strength training class (continuous movement) also. Plus I am running on the days I am not training. My motivation is lacking and my stamina is lacking. I am going to change my eating and see if that helps. Thanks for starting this topic.

This is happening to me too, and I think it has a lot to do with adding strength training. I thought it was just me, and just in my head. I also noticed that since I have increased my speed, I can't run nearly as far. I try to run slower, but then I feel like I'm not pushing myself. Thanks for posting this, I would love to see the advice.

PS: I usually run indoors, so for me the weather hasn't been a factor.

I would say number 2 maybe. I don't really know about carbs because im doing low carb and ive been doing better with cardio ever since i started doing low carb.

Check out some of the articles at www.boiserunwalk.com It has some great ones on fueling and form that might help.

The same thing happened to me. I attributed it to weight lifting, spin classes, step classes, etc in between my running days. Since then I've backed way off everything but the running and I am no longer having the problem.

I kind of hate that, because I really do feel I need to strength train. I am going to start up lifting again and see how it goes and maybe eliminate all the CLASSES in between.

Im guessing you are overtrained. I run 40-50 K's a week and I'm in excellent shape. Sometimes I get exhausted after a few K's, and then I know that I have overtrained. Most ppl don't listen to their body and pushes them self even harder when this occurs and it only makes it worse.

You don't suddenly become in worse shape when you exercise regually. Take a few days off and eat nutrious food and let you body restore.

After a few days of rest I'm sure that you will feel the difference.

Okay, keep in mind that I am still a newbie runner. However, a few weeks ago, I was up to running 4.0 miles (albeit slowly) without feeling like I was going to die at/near the end. I run 2-3 times a week and was trying to do a 2, 3, and a 4 mile each week. The last couple of times I have run, I can BARELY make it 3 miles and when I do, I have to stop and walk several times. I'm not sure what's going on.

In my head the possible causes are: 1. weather change from cold to humid, 2. muscle fatigue (I have been changing up my strength training routines and not having a full rest day during the week 3. weak mind.

Has anyone had this happen or have any suggestions as to how I can get through this?

This is identical to what sometimes happens to me and I have found that it usually occurs on the onset of a chill or cold or some other niggling little "unwellness". Therefore, if it happens, just go with the flow, stop or walk if you get tired.

I found that when I got back to good health again, I was once again back up to my previous fitness.

Just as an afterthought, Google "Biorhythms" - some people believe in them, others pooh-pooh it, however, physical biorhythms go in three week cycles, if you hit the low rhythm for your physical self, then you will more than likely find physical training harder than normal. It usually passes after that week (until the next time).

I honestly have no idea, this happens to me pretty much every week. Take this week for example, Monday I felt great, ran 4 miles almost no problem. My Wednesday run I could barely run a half mile, ended up getting a few miles in but walked most of it. My legs just felt like they had weights attached to them.

So I'm trying to figure out what I do differently leading up to a good run. Both runs were at the same time of day. Drank about the same amount of water during the day. The weather was similar for both, although Wednesday seemed a little hotter and more humid. Before both runs I did a quick warm up and stretched. Wore the same shoes for both runs.

Sunday and Monday I didn't eat particularly healthy, if anything I ate more healthy Tuesday and Wednesday so that doesn't explain much. One possibility could be that I had a low carb lunch on Wednesday, but ate carbs for breakfast and for a snack I had some fruit.

Sleep: I didn't sleep very well Sunday night, but slept great on Tuesday night. Maybe I function better on less sleep?

Also maybe I wasn't fully recovered from Monday's run because I ran a little farther that I usually do. I wasn't sore or anything though, and I didn't feel burned out until about a half mile in. Maybe I will try waiting 2 days between runs.