HELP I've lost my speed/ability

angelzoo

Hi All
Just wondering if any fellow Boardies have experienced what I'm going through at the moment. Ive been running the past few years and been running circa 8/9 min miles in training, sub 8min for races. Now although many on this may think that very slow to me it's times I've always been pretty happy with. I usually run 5 days a week and would be relatively fit, doing some gym work too. But over the last month/6weeks I'm finding my times dip drastically, doing 10/11 min miles over distances I'm used doing all the time eg 3milers, 5 milers, 10ks I feel like I've no energy in my legs and my breathing is struggled! even do complete 3 miles is a struggle and I've had to stop and walk on occasion, something I've never ever done before this.
Last year I had been doing alot of group running and due to changes n job etc I've been doing allot of training on my own. Lately I've been trying meet with friends who I used run with and find im totally off their pace and lagging behind which I find very disheartening. these are friends I used to be leader of a while back.
I've had no change of diet etc, am relatively young (30) . I did change runners a few weeks back which I had been blaming for dier times but surely I should be used to them by now.
If anyone has ever experienced anything like this all advice would be greatly appreciated as this getting me really down. Thanks!

RacoonQueen

Have you been sick lately?
Do you train with a heart rate monitor? If so, any change to average heart rates for certain paces?

Might be worth going to the doc to get things like blood pressure and blood tests done. Could be some sort of deficiency.

angelzoo

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Have you been sick lately?
Do you train with a heart rate monitor? If so, any change to average heart rates for certain paces?

Might be worth going to the doc to get things like blood pressure and blood tests done. Could be some sort of deficiency.

Cheers for reply. I don't use a heart rate monitor wish now I did. Thanks for advice , I'll book a doctors appointment for this week, haven't been sick but no harm checking the blood pressure etc anyways. Hopefully I'll get it sorted soon . Such a beautiful day today but can't face another bad time.

Cork24

angelzoo wrote: »

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Have you been sick lately?
Do you train with a heart rate monitor? If so, any change to average heart rates for certain paces?

Might be worth going to the doc to get things like blood pressure and blood tests done. Could be some sort of deficiency.

Cheers for reply. I don't use a heart rate monitor wish now I did. Thanks for advice , I'll book a doctors appointment for this week, haven't been sick but no harm checking the blood pressure etc anyways. Hopefully I'll get it sorted soon . Such a beautiful day today but can't face another bad time.

Could it be your just getting older ?

If you want to get faster you need to run faster in the gym try running at 8 for 10 mins then up it to 12 for 3 mins then up 18 for 1 min back down to 8 for 3 mins then back up for 18 for 1 min and back down etc..

Your shocking the body and the heart need to adjust that quicker to your speed this can make people faster,,

Old trainer used to have me do this all the time

rom

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=70639421 is worth a read just in case.

plodder

Cork24 wrote: »

Could it be your just getting older ?

:eek: At 30, I doubt that's the problem - nor over-training for that matter. I'd agree on getting a checkup with a GP. Other factors to think about (ie have they changed) - weekly mileage, weight, motivation (eg were you running with specific targets in mind before, but not now?) Sounds like group running suits the OP better anyway (as it does for many people). Aside from that, everyone goes through patches where motivation drops. So, it's worth experimenting with things and see what brings it back, set targets, keep a running log etc.

angelzoo

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I've been to the doctor and waiting on test results.
In the meantime I'm trying to get some exercise in. Will go for a run later on and see how I get on. Attempted a short run yest but again the lifeless legs occurred. Half thinking to just take a break for a week or two but it's hard to resist in this weather.
I'll def take the rest of your advice on board, sign up for some races, get some targets and try some speed work.
Hope your all making the most of the sunshine

angelzoo

Got my tests results back and it turns out I'm severly anaemic, with iron levels of only 3. So that ticks all the boxes as to why I've been feeling so bad. So going to take it easy for a while and try get those iron levels back to normal. Happy now to know that I can fix the problem and hope to get back to form soon!
Thanks for all your advice, it's much appreciated.

RacoonQueen

angelzoo wrote: »

Got my tests results back and it turns out I'm severly anaemic, with iron levels of only 3. So that ticks all the boxes as to why I've been feeling so bad. So going to take it easy for a while and try get those iron levels back to normal. Happy now to know that I can fix the problem and hope to get back to form soon!
Thanks for all your advice, it's much appreciated.

Exactly what I thought it might be. You'll be flying in no time, glad you got it sorted.

Wilberto

Last time I was told I was lacking iron it was suggested that I get Ferrograd C. They're available over the counter in chemists for not even €10.

Having said that though, since I actually bought them about a year ago I only used about 4 or 5 tablets!!

Even still, I'm grand now though.....