When does increased energy kick in?

[60sgirl]

Hi I’m on week 4 and enjoying the actual runs, finding them quite exhilarating, but always feel absolutely zonked afterwards - find it hard to accomplish anything else in the day and have to fight the urge to get back into bed! Does this pass? Or am I doing something wrong? I was hoping for an increase in energy as a result of 3 runs a week, but this hadn’t happened yet. And advice?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Normally you’ll start to notice increased energy when you get up in the mornings first. After your run, being tired is normal... and back to bed is an option, you’re still way up on those that didn’t get up and run.

[ripple1973 Graduate]

Happened to me too around week 5-6. I found having something to eat before running helped a lot. Now I’m on week 8 and feeling good and energetic after my runs . See what works for you. 💪🏽💪🏽

[telford_mike Graduate]

Each week the programme gives you more running to do. You already have extra energy, but C25K makes you use it all up, so naturally you still feel tired afterwards. When you get to weeks 7, 8 and 9 the plan sort of slows down a bit with just a few minutes extra running each week. That's when I began to find that some of the extra energy was left over for me. Good luck!

[60sgirl Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks for this very clear explanation. I shall persevere and look forward to future weeks when there will be energy to spare!

[Hidden]

I run in the early morning, shower and dress, then head up to my office job.

I am running so high off endorphins I almost have to pinch myself to lower my level to meet the tedium of my day today, haha.

But let me tell you in the late morning I find myself utterly knocked out, yawning and bone tired. I wish we had napping pods!🛏️💤😪😴

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

We should have siestas in the afternoon like the Spanish!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I’m just finding it now, 6 months in and exercising 5 times a week at the mo

[icklegui Graduate]

Everyone's different - it could be that you might feel better running in the evening, if that's possible for you? I like telford_mike 's explanation too, hopefully something will work out for you soon and you'll be running AND energised

(standard note though, if you find yourself excessively tired and it doesn't clear up, do consider getting checked out!)

[60sgirl Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thanks I will keep that in mind. I do already run in the evening for 2 of my 3 sessions - with the same exhausted end result! I am fine on my rest days though, so hopefully it is just a question of my body adjusting to more being asked if it (I also do a weekly circuit training class, which is quite challenging). Thanks to everybody here for your advice and support.

[Liliuk]

You'll have good run, and not so good one. But when you reach the stage of continuous running, believe that you are ready. For me, i managed better when I ran consistently every other day (sometimes running 4 times a week) and a good diet (not too heavy but balanced). If I ate sugars I would really really struggle. Good luck!!

[triumphbabe Graduate]

I think a lot depends on your age and basic level of fitness. I'm 67 and when I started in January this year I was totally exhausted all the time. However I now find I can do a run and then carry on as normal the rest of the day. As you get fitter, it becomes less tiring but, as others have said, if it doesn't improve then definitely get checked out by your GP.

[60sgirl Graduate in reply to triumphbabe]

Many thanks - that's encouraging. I'm 57 and very unfit, so that probably explains it!