Training on 1/2 thyroid any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[Realfoodieclub]

I had radiation treatment in 2010 which has left me with only half a thyroid gland. The side effect of this is that I am on a thyroid replacement therapy of daily tablets of thyroxine. My levels are spot on.

I am currently training for a half marathon in May and things have been going very well. I am using the asics plan and up until now have been having a great time on it.

I am only running twice a week as I am also training for a Swimathon in April of 2.5km. I am fitting in watt bike training when I can so I can keep my triathlon fitness going while training for the HM.

I have hit a brick wall this week. The running plan went from 7km runs to two 10.5km runs. The first one was great but my appetite completely dropped off after the run. I had a terrible time trying to eat as I felt it was the last thing I wanted to do. The second run left me in the gutter. No energy, aching all over and just generally feeling rubbish. It was like I had become hypothyroid overnight. To add injury to insult overnight I put on 3lb.

I have done some reading and it looking like even though my joints, muscles and brain was ready for the increase my metabolism wasn't. I seems it treated like I was under stress and the thyroid is not one of those glands that works at its best while under stress. It just seems to hibernate.

I have had two days off exercise and rested. I spent yesterday fuelling up with healthy good stuff and today I feel fit to go again.

My problem is I am supposed to be doing another 10.5km run and then on to 14km next run. I don't think that is a good idea.

I was thinking about going back to 7km and building up 1km a week, maybe my body can cope with that. So I would do 1-7km run a week and the increased Km run then a swim and watt bike session if I had the time/energy.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Tomas Graduate]

It's been said - and I firmly believe it to be right - that if you can run 16 km during training, then you can also run 21 km during a race. The "race fever" will carry you along for the last 5 km. So. If it feels like all the training is currently getting to be too much, then I'd back off for a week or two; there is still plenty of time to get you fit for the distance by May.

Adding 1 km per week is roughly in line with the general advice of not increasing your weekly distance by more than 10 percent. You've got 13 weeks to go until the end of April, so with 1 km extra per week, you should be ready.

You don't say how many runs you have a week, but as the purpose at this stage is to teach your body that running long distances is nothing to worry about, then you should be thinking of the weekly mileage and not just the longest run per week. Maybe aim for two short 5 km runs and then your increasing long run each week.

Of course, the worrying part of the question is your thyroid. It may be worth checking with your consultant if you're still in the system, and if not, then with your GP.

All the best, and let us know how you're getting on.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thanks for the help. I am doing two runs a week as I like to do triathlon cross training. Only so many hours! I am hoping the rest help also I think I need to increase my food a bit. With a hrm some runs are coming in 700-800 kcal. I will keep that xtra 5km In mind for race day, it makes sense.

[Rignold]

If you are taking the correct dose of Thyroxine, then your Thyroid function will be normal so it is highly unlikely to be a thyroid-related issue. Might be slight overtraining syndrome - sounds like you did the right thing having a couple of rest days, but I wouldn't scale back your plan. We all get days when exercise wipes us out. I do 10ks 2 or 3 times a week and did 19 at the weekend, then yesterday went out and felt so rubbish I came home again after 3k. I don't think that ever changes. I know ultramarathonners who do 100 mile plus training weeks yet have off weeks when they can't run 5k without feling crap.

Your body, and your thyroid can cope with 2k increases in running distance. Just let it rest when it wants to.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I think I am beginning to suspect over training myself too. I think it's that and low calorie intake on run days. I need to work on food. I need easy digestible food on longer runs days. My appetite just plummets. Thanks for the help,

[dille Graduate]

I also had troubles with the rapid increase of the asics plan, therefore I was looking for something else and found the HM plan from Jenny Hadfield (I think Baaza showed once the link to her training plans). It has 3 runs each week, but I am sure you can adjust it in a way to fit your schedule of two runs/one swim. I like the plan, because the increase per week is only about 1 mile for only one run of the week. So if you are not aiming for a speedy HM, the Hadfield plan is sure less strenuous than the asics one.

jennyhadfield.com/articles/...

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to dille]

It is quite a step up isn't it. I had a look at the Jenny hadfield, it looks quite interesting. Unfortunately I am not very good at different tempo runs. I am still working on that one. Thanks for the help.

[ajwyld Graduate]

Might be worth getting your thyroid levels checked "just in case" something has pulled things out of whack ?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ajwyld]

Thank you, I have check up bloods in March, so they will be checked soon, if they have gone out a bit they might settle and I will know for sure in a few weeks or I will feel normal again. Either way I will get them checked.

[Hidden]

i had 7/8th of my Thyroid removed when i was 21 and i am 57 now , I have been very lucky so far and the 1/8th is still working fine and no tablets needed , From what i know if you are on the replacement tablets and the dosage is right , you should be ok but always best to check with the Docs as well just to put your mind at rest

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks , your lucky that your body has compensated, mine did for three years then went out but it does give me the right energy to run since I went on replacement therapy. I am having a annual check up in march, so I will get it checked.

[Hidden in reply to Realfoodieclub]

i am surprised every year when the blood test result says ok again for another year , i am always convinced it will be this year ,every year so far lol

[Buffy007 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm always amazed how many people have thryoid problems. And it does control everything - and as you say, sensitive to stress. You're doing all the right things - bloods are the most important 'tho. I have mine checked every 6 months (altho' I often forget) but that's what my doc stipulates. I would try and get them done a month early - what's the harm in going now? (I had 7/8s of mine taken away too at age 17, that was 38.11 years ago!) I am 5.9" / 10st 3lb - but just have to look at food and I put on a pound. Constant way of life / small portions / 75mg thyroxine. Good luck.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Buffy007]

I'm on 75g as well it seems to suit me well. But sometimes I know what you mean about looking at food. I am feeling a bit better from the training break at the moment but I will keep an eye on it, thank you.

[Rignold]

My daughter was born with no thyroid function at all so has been on thyroxine since day 1 (well actually day 11 when they finally diagnosed it). She is a whirlwind of activity, fencing, fighting and swimming (she is on course for a place in the County team). There are several Olympic runners who are hypothyroidic - Galen Rupp the 10k silver medallist and Gail Devers the three times Gold Sprinter, and I believe Carl Lewis as well. There is some debate, in fact, as to whether thyroxine should be considered a performance enhancing drug.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Wow she shoulds like a right whirlwind, you must be very proud, nice to hear inspirational stories. The media spend too much time on the negatives of things and we start to believe them. I can't help but laugh the thought of me being on Performance enhancing drugs. Anyone would be so surprised considering my speed. I don't think anyone would suspect me of cheating hehe.

[Sharonb9999 Graduate]

My thyroid gland doesn't work at all. My own anti bodies attached it & killed it off. It took many many montbs to stabilise my thyroxine dose & years later I still get bouts of chronic tiredness & various other annoying side effects. It sounds like you've taken on a massive training schedule. I'm running 3 times a week & swimming 2 or 3 times a week and for me that's plenty. If your body is telling you its not coping so well you should listen to it. It would be horrible if you ended up with an injury that stopped you doing anything for a while.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Sharonb9999]

I have eased off a bit and it seemed it seems to of helped a bit. I think the increase was a little bit too big for me. Thanks for the thoughts.

[Slookie Graduate]

I know nothing about thyroids (but have learned a great deal here just now) but feel you need some petrol in the tank RFC. Is there anything small but powerful you can eat for energy or perhaps something in a drink format if that is easier to, scuse the pun, stomach? I can run on the morning of a fast day without any issues but am sure if I tried to run after a couple of days of insufficient calories I would conk out feel crap and give up very early on. Then I would probably eat the sofa cos appetite suppression has not been a close friend of mine since that experimental time with the Malibu and Creme de Menthe.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Slookie]

Oh my Malibu and creme de menthe, now there is a combination. I have found bagels and am trying them out. High in carbs and protien but I find them very easy to eat. Also I have upped my calories. I try not to calorie count but I did a check after the 10.5km run and there was quite a big deficit. On average I always eat about 1500 1800 kcal so a long run eats into it a bit. My body dosent like to go under 1400 kcal. Thanks for the thoughts.

[Hidden]

I know nothing about thyroid problems so can't comment on that, but my Asics plan had similar jumps and I decided to just do it my own way - the standard advice on here - 1 x 5K, 1 x intervals and 1 x longer run each week seems to be working for me, I did just under 9K yesterday, so I should reach 10K in a couple of weeks maximum, on target with the plan. Have you thought about liquid foods? I use them when my appetite means I can't get enough in to fuel my runs. Here's one I found the other day... liquidise 1 banana, I tablespoon of peanut butter and 250ML milk - it's rocket fuel! Or liquidise orange juice with a couple of figs and a banana...

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Hidden]

They sound good. I will give them a go. Thanks.