Why is my body getting tired faster when I run?

Question

I recently began running (within the last month) and up till Monday I've been seeing very positive results with my body. The last two days though, I've noticed that my body has been getting tired a whole lot faster. Now I'm a large man (309 pounds, but I've been a power lifter all my life so it doesn't look 309) so I'm also trying to balance my diet with routine, is their any advice that anyone can offer me on rest breaks, better nutrition, things of that nature, thanks in advance!

(Since I've been running, I've also lost 40 pounds, and even though I might be hitting a wall, I am in no way getting frustrated)

Answer 1

because your body used a lot of energy to run far. just like a car runs out of gas.

Answer 2

dont overtrain...im trying not to but still get good workouts

Answer 3

I've hit this wall before.  It was when I expending too much energy in my routines.  You're working too hard it seems, and I would suggest taking more breaks in between workouts.  If you work out 6 times a week normally, I would suggues adding another day of rest in there.  Our bodies tell us what they need, and we have to listen.

Answer 4

...

Congratulations on your successful venture into improved health!

You mentioned that you lost 40 pounds since you began running - and that you have been running but a month or so.  That is a tremendously fast weight loss.  Not that that is bad, that's not the point, but this tells me that you are probably on a fairly strict weight-loss diet, which could be nutritious, but still consist of food of considerably fewer calories than what you burn off through daily activities and exercise.

Nearly everyone hits running plateaus, but you're hitting one way early into your running program.   Again, this suggests that you may be eating much less than you reasonably need for your daily activities and exercise.

So, some basics that will keep you on the road to health and fitness, and contend with the tired feeling you are experiencing.

-attend to nutrition!  You may actually be eating less than you need to keep up your exercise schedule.  An odd comment, perhaps; at least make sure you are not eating empty calories (i.e., eat food, not junk); eat enough, but not too much; and eat mostly plants - vegetables, whole grains, fruits.

-vary the amount you run day by day, and/or vary your cardiovascular activities.  Take a full day of rest and recovery from your primary cardio activity at least once a week.

If you are running only, and already can run 30 to 40 minutes non-stop, a week's schedule could look like:

Mon - Run 40 minutes

Tues - Run 20 minutes

We - 40 minutes

Th - 20 minutes

Fri - 20 minutes

Sa - 60 minutes

Su - walk, exercycle, bicycle, swim, Spin, elliptical for 60 minutes - something that reduces the pounding on your muscles, bones, and joints.

If you want to run more than this (good for you!), then after 2 to 3 weeks of running this amount, increase the duration you run each day by 5 minutes a day with each successive week until you reach the total time you'd like to be running on your long days.

If you can vary your cardio routine, do it.  With a routine of variety in cardio activities, a week may look like:

Mo - Run 40 minutes

Tues - [other - bike, swim, exercycle, Spin (not walk)] - 40 to 60 minutes

We - Run 40

Th - Other 60

Fr - Run 40

Sa - Other 60

Su - walk, swim, 40 or more minutes

Do keep up a lifting routine that you are comfortable with!

Regards,

Running_Dad

P.s., this is not medical advice - and really, with such a fast weight loss, if you're not in contact with a medical professional to assist in overseeing this, well, that would be a good thing to do.

P.p.s., be sure you are wearing shoes that work for you, for your weight, running style, running surfaces.  The number one reason for running injuries is improperly fitting shoes.  If you haven't already, go to a running specialty shop, talk to the folks working there, let them know what you're doing and what your goals are, maybe get a gait analysis.  The folks in the running specialty shop will do their hardest to make sure they can match shoes to your running needs.

Answer 5

You need to hydrate A LOT.  Hydration is super important.  During track season I would drink about half a gallon a day.  It keeps lactic acid and other impurities flushed out of your muscles and allows your body to perform at its peak level