Suddenly can't run anymore?

[Louisamith]

Just some background info -- I am a 20 year old female who has been running since I was about 7. I competed competitively in high school with some good results had a proper coach ect, so without bragging, I feel like running comes pretty 'naturally' to me, and have never understood people who don't feel comfortable running.

1 week ago I was doing around 100 kilometres a week, generally 15km a day around 5min km pace. Just cruising along comfortably, feeling great getting the endorphin rush, nothing too strenuous just out there for the love of it.

Literally in the span of one day, I find i cannot run 1km without stopping to catch my breath! and to make it worse this 1km is nowhere near the pace I know I can run at usually it is around a 7minute K! its ridiculous. I even went to get the covid19 test (which came back negative) just to rule that out despite having zero of the symptoms.

I generally just feel like absolute death when I run, my legs feel like lead. Also I've noticed I've clearly lost my 'natural' running style as I'm scuffing my feet/nearly tripping over sometimes when I'm trying to run (this one hurts the most because my natural running style is the seriously the one thing about myself that I'm proud of haha).

I have not changed a thing in my diet/lifestyle ect so am really struggling to figure out what has happened to cause this huge fatigue. My mental health has also declined massively because running is one of my coping mechanisms and probably brings me the most joy in my life so this is just really putting a strain on me.

I'm not sick, I'm still getting 8 hours of sleep/night, and the temperature is usually around 15 degrees Celsius.

Also I don't have health insurance, and am a student so don't really have the money to go to the doctors right now, so any help/ideas/suggettions would hugely appreciated

Please help!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

I think you need a break! Try a as few days off.

[O505k Half Marathon]

I have no medical experience but do suggest you go to your GP. Assuming you are in the UK this costs nothing.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hi! Welcome to the Marathon Running and Race Support community!

Looking at your recent schedule, I wonder if you are showing early signs of Overtraining Syndrome:

runnersworld.com/uk/health/...

I also suspect you suffer from anxiety generally, and I tend to agree with Tasha99 - take a break xxx

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Is there no free care you can get...for people in a tight spot that can't afford medical insurance, or could your parents/a guardian help?

If not, for this to come on so suddenly I wonder if you're coming down with something and symptoms will start to show...or if you're suffering with a little runners fatigue from the constant strain on our bodies when running.

Maybe allow yourself a few days off without any pressure, ideally rest but for your mental health try a walk and maybe one of the free meditation apps.

If that helps, when you decide to run again maybe try alternate days and some 5K runs rather than always 15K...don't beat yourself up if you run slower or can't do the distance in mind. Your body is clearly trying to tell you there is something going on right now.

I assume as a serious runner, I don't need to tell you about hydration and nutrition but I know plenty of young women who suffer from low iron/mild anemia which is draining so it may be worth making sure you're getting enough iron in your diet.

Good luck figuring it out, hopefully you just need a bit of rest and will be fighting fit in a couple of weeks 🤞

[Hidden]

I would put it down to either overtraining or coming down with something.

I know you had a covid test but they are only 65% accurate and if you are getting covid you will only test positively during the symptomatic phase. You would see ill health in your running before your daily lifestyle. It may be something else that your body is dealing with and cannot perform as well.

With your training are you factoring a cutback week in every 4-6weeks? These are hugely important for recovery for the whole body, not just legs. If not I would suggest you add them in. You also need to do different variations in training eg shorter faster, longer slower, intervals, hill reps etc. This works your muscles differently and can stop fatigue of just doing the same all the time.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

With all your running experience something really seems off. If rest does not help, then perhaps a visit to your GP to run some tests and maybe have your oxygen levels tested? If you are in the UK it should be covered by NHS and free to you? I'm in Canada so I may not have all the facts on the UK system. I know its not nearly the same but getting out for a walk or a bike ride in the sun was helping me mentally when I could not run for a couple of weeks recently.

[AVjeeper]

@Sarah, I am experiencing something similar. Up until January I was running 4 miles at a time, three times a week. Didn't run in Feb as it was cold outside. The past 6 weeks I am dying/exhausted after 1 mile to 1.5 miles, running three times a week. I don't feel sick, haven't changed anything that I can think of. I just can't run more than a mile and a half anymore. I'm going to the Dr. and asking for a full physical, blood work, O2 test, cardiovascular function test, and anything else that is available.

[Kwinholt]

Hi Sarah, my name is Karen and I have been an ultra/ marathon runner for over 20 years and I agree with everyone’s advice to take a break and listen to your body and if possible see a Dr. I was having trouble about 10 years back , falling at one race 5 times and there was nothing around me to trip on. And one day I couldn’t even move my foot right , it was twisting sideways and I even took my shoe off thinking it was my shoes. Long story short , I went to the dr . They first thought I had MS and did tests and MRIS that ruled that out. But low and behold, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s. Looking back I can see the signs but not being as educated in Parkinson’s I didn’t even think that. Just thought Parkinsons was a “shaky” disease but it is so much more. I started the meds and was able to continue running and did Spartans with my son until July 2019 . I was running the San Francisco marathon raising money for Parkinson’s and I severed my hamstring and had to have it reattached. I am just now starting back to walk/run but my Parkinson’s has progressed and makes it more difficult. I’m not sure I’ll ever do marathons or ultras anymore but who knows. Don’t ignore your body . If things continue and don’t seem right, see a dr. Take care. Karen