Extremely Tired Legs-What's the cause of this?

Injury/Nutrition Other

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:03am EDT

About a couple weeks ago I was able to run 200m repeats at 32 seconds each and it felt easy, light, and very fluid. Easy pace at 7 minute mile wasn't a problem, and tempo runs were perfect as well. But all of a sudden, my legs have become extremely tired. I just woke up one morning and my 7 minute mile easy runs were feeling like 5 minute mile pace. I now can only run 45 second 200m repeats at the same effort I put into running 32sec 200m repeats. Walking is becoming difficult, and just in general my legs just feel weak and exhausted. this has been going on for two weeks. What could be the cause of this, and what should I do?

To be honest, I have been slacking off a lot in my diet lately, but even when I was eating junk food I still had good speed in my legs.

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:27am EDT

re: deadlegsQNA

Possibly over-training, possibly an illness that isn't making itself obvious in other ways. Possibly just sleep and diet. It's also likely hot wherever you are.

In any case, you clearly need rest. Never push on in a workout when you can't hit your paces! If target is 32s, and you're running 35s with what feels like too much effort, then stop the workout NOW and go take a nap. Hitting 33/34 with usual effort for a couple reps is no big deal, but once it gets obviously slow AND hard, it's time to pull the plug. Heart rate can be a nice additional clue if you monitor that.

Have you been running the same schedule as you've gotten weaker? How many miles is that?

Take the rest of this week 100% off. Eat lots of whole foods and drink plenty of juice, milk, and water. Go for easy walks. Try some strides on Sunday and if they feel good, slowly work back into it. If not, it might be a good time to visit a sports doctor for some blood work.

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:33am EDT

re: deadlegsQNA

Make sure you are getting enough carbs. I had dead legs for a year until I went to a nutritionist. I upped my carbs from about 200-300g a day to 500g and the problem disappeared. I also PR'd in pretty much everything. Also make sure you get about 9 hours sleep most nights.

deadlegsQNA wrote:
About a couple weeks ago I was able to run 200m repeats at 32 seconds each and it felt easy, light, and very fluid. Easy pace at 7 minute mile wasn't a problem, and tempo runs were perfect as well. But all of a sudden, my legs have become extremely tired. I just woke up one morning and my 7 minute mile easy runs were feeling like 5 minute mile pace. I now can only run 45 second 200m repeats at the same effort I put into running 32sec 200m repeats. Walking is becoming difficult, and just in general my legs just feel weak and exhausted. this has been going on for two weeks. What could be the cause of this, and what should I do?
To be honest, I have been slacking off a lot in my diet lately, but even when I was eating junk food I still had good speed in my legs.

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:36am EDT

re: deadlegsQNA

You might be anemic; you should consider getting a blood panel.

You mentioned your diet -- perhaps you're not getting enough iron. Do you eat enough meat?

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:37am EDT

re: Lack of carbs

Dead legs has been on and off for me. I had it for two weeks in february, then 3 weeks in april, and one week in may. I don't understand what it is. Could stress be the problem? I'm always working and stressing about little things.

8 years ago 07/28/2015 11:46am EDT

re: deadlegsQNA

deadlegsQNA wrote:
Dead legs has been on and off for me. I had it for two weeks in february, then 3 weeks in april, and one week in may. I don't understand what it is. Could stress be the problem? I'm always working and stressing about little things.

I'm going to revise my judgement based on this new information. If the phenomenon is "on and off", I think it's unlikely to be anemia.

8 years ago 07/28/2015 12:03pm EDT

re: I'm anemic

I'm definitely not anemic since I had blood tests in december and nothing came up. The dead legs is on and off. some weeks/months I'm fast and fluid, while other weeks/months I'm weak and slow.

8 years ago 07/30/2015 3:11pm EDT

re: deadlegsQNA

you said something about junk food?

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Extremely Tired Legs-What's the cause of this?

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