Help/advice needed -1st marathon in 4 weeks + really struggled this week...anaemia or overtraining?

[chickensrun]

Hi, I've got my first marathon in 27days -well its actually 45km (Adidas Terrex South Downs). It's quite hilly (2770 ft ascent) and so I've been mostly training on the Downs. Had a couple of setbacks in April/May, but since then have managed to stick to my plan, but have perhaps overdone the increase in long run mileage and elevation...

I think I'm suffering from overtraining exhaustion or possibly even anaemic (only just read up on how long distance running can drop iron levels/Hb)

Last week's long run was 18 miles (Mon is long run day) and I felt I paced better than the 16 miles 2wks before and it went well on the day. But I was wiped out the next day, and I've been pretty tired all week in a way that is new.

3 weeks ago my long run was 16 miles

2 weeks ago it was my down week, I cut the long run back to 11 miles but prob didn't reduce the overall mileage quite enough.

Have already decided I can't do two more long runs (was planning on 20 miles tomorrow and a week later). I just want to be able to complete the event!

Was wondering whether I could cross train in a non impact way this week instead of all my runs.... Eg 4h of swim/bike/elliptical instead of a long run.

Then hopefully check if I am anaemic with the Dr this week.

I have been doing strength work, but could always do more...

At present I've run 2/3 of the distance of the full event. Would that be enough to complete the event? I'm concerned another long run will cause more damage than good...

I ran 18 hilly miles in around 4 h so was expecting to do the event in 6-6.5 hours, but TBH I just want to finish it and don't mind if I take longer. I would need to take it a lot easier if I were to do it now...

Thank you. X

[misswobble Marathon]

it’s normal to feel tired during marathon training. You could take a few days off and see how you feel. A week if needs be.

Good food and enough sleep is the thing Have you been eating well enough to sustain your exertions?

We’re not doctors 🙂so can’t comment specifically on your anaemia worries. Your doctor hopefully will be able to shed light on that

I have always done just ONE 20 mile run several weeks before the big day just so I feel confident I can do the distance. if you can’t then your 18 miler will have to do ,and you trust to luck and race day adrenaline to get you round

I’m not very well either at present and have marathon in November I was supposed to be running 26km today but didn’t

Your options going forward depend on your doc’s visit If you’re in the clear there then that will make you feel happier

Good luck at the docs 🙂👍

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I think since you’ve already done ⅔ the distance and you are wiped, that a few days fully off might be beneficial. It sounds like you are pushing pretty hard. I don’t think you are in danger of not finishing. I agree, another long run in your current state may cause more harm than good. After some days of rest, see how you feel and maybe get your last run in, but perhaps a bit slower than you normally would go. Best of luck!

[Cmoi Marathon]

HI chickensrun , if you've already done two-thirds over similar terrain then yes, you can complete the distance. My longest run before doing my trail so-called marathon a year ago was just over 33km and 965 m (3166ft) ascent, and the event actually came in at 46.45 km and 1,835 m (6020 ft) ascent.

I used a specific trail marathon plan as plans for road-based races were pretty useless, and it only included one 20-mile run. The only time I recall feeling particularly tired was after a 25km run a couple of weeks before the event, immediately after a fortnight's holiday.

Personally I think it'd be wiser to do less rather than more, and if you genuinely think you could be anaemic, get yourself checked out by a doctor asap.

A time of 6.5 hours would've been completely impossible for me. My moving time was 7 hours 47 minutes, and my chip time 9 hours 5 minutes, as I was happy to stop and chat, eat, take photos and generally mess around. I wanted to finish, and enjoy myself, and I did.

Hope the rest of your training goes well.

[chickensrun Half Marathon]

Thank you all, that's really helpful. I will take a few days off and take it easy from there. I'm not that great at slowing right down, especially on the hills where my heart rate shoots up even when walking a steeper bit. I guess its a good reminder for me that its better to properly slow down and make it all the way on the day!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to chickensrun]

Fresh legs for the day are worth their weight in gold 😊