Am I anemic, or is it something else?

Question

I love(!) running, and after successful winter and spring track seasons, I decided to bag volleyball in favor of cross country.I've noticed for over a month and a half now that I usually feel fine before I run, but as soon as I start I feel sleepy, and my body feels really weak, especially my legs.I get really tired, and feel like I'm in a fog.

(My calves have been tight while running too, but I stopped to stretch them today, and then they felt ok.)

I started taking a viatmin, but that only helped when we would have a morning practice and I hadn't yet used up any energy during the day. Today, my coach said that I might feel better if I took it at lunch.

We just did a morning 5-miler and I did well and felt awesome, but I got sleepy in the car and was sluggish and groggy all day.

I eat about 2 and 1/2 hours before I run, and I definitely eat enough. Today I had a banana, half a pita, a granola bar, some carrots, and a bottle of water. I also get plenty of sleep(at least 8 hours)

Today was really bad.I went to bed at 9 the night before,but it didn't help. We started school yesterday, and we have practice right after.We did a 4-miler. I felt like I had narcolepsy, or that I'd been drugged! I felt terrible and was slow.

It was especially bad about a month and 1/2 ago when I came back from getting my wisdom teeth out(I thought it was from blood loss and the liquid/soft diet).

I would get this feeling when I did track and club volleyball at the same time, but I just thought it was because I was doing too much in a day(5 hours a day,plus meets, and 8+ hour tournaments on weekends) and wearing myself out. It wasn't ever this bad, though.

As to not leave anything out, I had a minor eating disorder issue throughout June(bulimia).

The issue isn't lost blood during my period because I rarely ever get it(I had it 2 weeks ago--for an hour. I usually get it three times a year)Lately, I've been really cranky and tired, except for post-practice runner's high: )

Sorry this is so wordy. I just wanted to be thorough. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Caroline

Answer 1

way more carbs..  if you're a runner?  You should be eating big meals.  A banana, half a pita, a granola bar and some carrots isn't really enough.  Try more like a big plate of pasta and a salad, and then before you run a granola bar and a banana.  I work as a carpenter and i eat a banana and a granola bar before i walk out my door.  And 3 sandwiches a snack and a ton of water while at work.  Snack after work, and if i work out, i eat a huge dinner.  Big pasta and a salad, or hamburgers (several).  It's because i burn it, and if you're running, you will too.

I found that if you're giving your body the required amount of sustenance, your metabolism speeds up, and you burn energy more efficiently.  You wont be as tired and you will end up burning more because you have the energy to run at your highest potential.  If its hard and tiring, you aren't getting enough to eat.

Answer 2

I can't give you an answer as to what is going on but I will say this go see a doctor asap because this sounds like something that needs to be treated really soon. I'm glad to hear you defeated the eating disorder and I don't think it has anything to do w/ your period.

Go see a doctor soon, and good luck I hope you feel better really soon and can finish out your season to the best of your ability.

Katie  

Answer 3

go to your doctor