36 former college runner. Can barely run 3 days in a row.

No, I can't.

not nearly as fast as you but yes, i can relate. i've gotten myself into injury trouble several times trying to build up volume too fast the past few years (i'm 32 now). long runs seem to really bring me to the edge, so i've started taking days off after them.

i had to really swallow my pride and build up on a gallowalking type program prescribed by my PT. it took like 2 months to go from 0 to 30 mpw which was tedious but it ended up working out. that was in april/may. i'm up to 50 now.

YeshuaHaNozri wrote:

not nearly as fast as you but yes, i can relate. i've gotten myself into injury trouble several times trying to build up volume too fast the past few years (i'm 32 now). long runs seem to really bring me to the edge, so i've started taking days off after them.

i had to really swallow my pride and build up on a gallowalking type program prescribed by my PT. it took like 2 months to go from 0 to 30 mpw which was tedious but it ended up working out. that was in april/may. i'm up to 50 now.

Yeah, for me there is no injury issue, nothing hurts. It's simply my lower legs start giving out. I can knock off 5:30/40 pace for 3 miles easy no problem. But running over 5 miles easy pace... legs just start to give way, almost like I'm running in sand.

Slow down. You can run another mile I guarantee, if you just slow down.

Maybe get together with Sham, he only runs 7 min miles.

Post college life is very different. Time is short. Full time job (40 hrs+), commute, family?, lack of sleep. I think that if most people tracked their day they would be suprised how much time they spend standing. All of this & more equal fatigue.

For me it was the faster running, not the continuous running that beat me up. i could jog 10 on the trails, but a set of miles or 1000s was embarassing. There is good news though, if you stick to it and start training daily, most, if not all, your fitness comes back.

Former D1 wrote:

YeshuaHaNozri wrote:

not nearly as fast as you but yes, i can relate. i've gotten myself into injury trouble several times trying to build up volume too fast the past few years (i'm 32 now). long runs seem to really bring me to the edge, so i've started taking days off after them.

i had to really swallow my pride and build up on a gallowalking type program prescribed by my PT. it took like 2 months to go from 0 to 30 mpw which was tedious but it ended up working out. that was in april/may. i'm up to 50 now.

Yeah, for me there is no injury issue, nothing hurts. It's simply my lower legs start giving out. I can knock off 5:30/40 pace for 3 miles easy no problem. But running over 5 miles easy pace... legs just start to give way, almost like I'm running in sand.

I think the Galloway Method would work for you. Try a 5/1 ratio. Don't walk for longer than 1 minute. If you're not recovered enough to run another 5 minutes, you're running the 5 minute part too fast. See if you can string together 5 of those, i.e., 30 minutes of moving time.

Maybe consider a more cushioned long run only shoe for the slow workouts. Rotating pairs has always worked well and saved my legs for faster workouts. I use Adios 6s on faster days and Solarglides for long runs. Makes a big difference.

Yes.

Be patient and your strength and endurance will eventually come back.

Former D1 wrote:

YeshuaHaNozri wrote:

not nearly as fast as you but yes, i can relate. i've gotten myself into injury trouble several times trying to build up volume too fast the past few years (i'm 32 now). long runs seem to really bring me to the edge, so i've started taking days off after them.

i had to really swallow my pride and build up on a gallowalking type program prescribed by my PT. it took like 2 months to go from 0 to 30 mpw which was tedious but it ended up working out. that was in april/may. i'm up to 50 now.

Yeah, for me there is no injury issue, nothing hurts. It's simply my lower legs start giving out. I can knock off 5:30/40 pace for 3 miles easy no problem. But running over 5 miles easy pace... legs just start to give way, almost like I'm running in sand.

I'm still not sure what "legs just start to give way" means. Your legs get tired after 5 miles? They go numb?

It just sound like you've lost endurance. But you've kept speed, which is great. But endurance takes a long time to build, and especially to re-build, when you're 10 years older than you comparison (D1, college years).

Maybe mix in some longer treadmill running? It can dramatically reduce some of the pounding stress as you slowly reintroduce outdoor running. Maybe set the mill on a steeper incline.

Maybe build strength back up by doing steep incline treadmill walks (don't laugh -- it's good stuff)?

Maybe try renting an elliptigo to supplement easy miles a few times a week as you slowly build back up?

Maybe try a carbon plated shoe several times per week to help transition back to longer runs? Although not quite as springy for most people, the Hokas Carbon X's have some spring and tend to last long than other brands.

Maybe change up when you're running? Morning runs instead of evening runs if you spend all day on your feet at a demanding job?

Maybe find a full body workout program you can tolerate to help build lower body and core strength (e.g., kettlebell, balancing/stability focused stuff, yoga)?

Former D 1 wrote:

Can anyone else relate to this?

I ran in college. I’m still in naturally good shape, can easily pop off a 4:4x mile. Run maybe 20mpw. I can barely run 2-3 days in a row, can’t really go over 4 miles at a time. It’s like my lower legs lost their eccentric loading abilities. I just cannot run at all. Faster running like intervals and repeats aren’t a problem.. it’s continuous running that’s seems to do my legs in.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Really sucks, can’t even go slog slow ass trail miles.

Perhaps you can try incorporating lifting and low-level plyos such as jump-rope.

Fitness, nor endurance is really the issue. It's muscular.

I feel I could easily run 10 miles at 7:00 min pace. Sometimes the slower I go the worse it gets.

Best way I can describe it is my lower legs have lost their ability to eccentrically load.... It's the landing part. Nothing hurts.

Was just curious if anyone has ever experienced this. I find it odd, my speed is still intact, I can sprint basically same as college days, so I have the power for that, just not for slow easy running at any sort of volume.

Iron Bars wrote:

Former D 1 wrote:

Can anyone else relate to this?

I ran in college. I’m still in naturally good shape, can easily pop off a 4:4x mile. Run maybe 20mpw. I can barely run 2-3 days in a row, can’t really go over 4 miles at a time. It’s like my lower legs lost their eccentric loading abilities. I just cannot run at all. Faster running like intervals and repeats aren’t a problem.. it’s continuous running that’s seems to do my legs in.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Really sucks, can’t even go slog slow ass trail miles.

Perhaps you can try incorporating lifting and low-level plyos such as jump-rope.

I've actually considered the jump rope thing. I do currently do lift and do 3 jumping exercises mixed in, also lots of calf raises, which has seemed to kind of help.

fisky wrote:

Former D1 wrote:

Yeah, for me there is no injury issue, nothing hurts. It's simply my lower legs start giving out. I can knock off 5:30/40 pace for 3 miles easy no problem. But running over 5 miles easy pace... legs just start to give way, almost like I'm running in sand.

I think the Galloway Method would work for you. Try a 5/1 ratio. Don't walk for longer than 1 minute. If you're not recovered enough to run another 5 minutes, you're running the 5 minute part too fast. See if you can string together 5 of those, i.e., 30 minutes of moving time.

I think fisky is on to the direction you should consider. The goal is to increase volume or time on your legs. The walking breaks will allow you to focus on the goal.

It could be a nerve issue. You should have it checked out.

Former D 1 wrote:

I ran in college. I’m still in naturally good shape, can easily pop off a 4:4x mile. Run maybe 20mpw. I can barely run 2-3 days in a row, can’t really go over 4 miles at a time.

Could you handle running 6 days in a row, but only 2-3 miles each day?

Alternatively, could you handle 7-8 mile continuous runs if you only ran every other day?

Also, can you go on long bike rides and hikes?

I know someone with a very odd training schedule - he runs 3-4 times a day, 6-7 days a week, but never for more than 2-2.5 miles each run. Maybe something like that would work for you.

Former D1 wrote:

Fitness, nor endurance is really the issue. It's muscular.

I feel I could easily run 10 miles at 7:00 min pace. Sometimes the slower I go the worse it gets.

Best way I can describe it is my lower legs have lost their ability to eccentrically load.... It's the landing part. Nothing hurts.

Was just curious if anyone has ever experienced this. I find it odd, my speed is still intact, I can sprint basically same as college days, so I have the power for that, just not for slow easy running at any sort of volume.

go to a PT, have them work on your lower back and hips. i'd bet your nerves are getting crushed from sitting too much. have them break up the scar tissue and get your moving again. do a considerable warmup prior to running. build some lower leg strength with weights and hill intervals.

Don't listen to crazy ideas. You are probably just a FT type, who rely much on elastic energy return. This type can't run too much and should be based on moderate interval work with just short and easy running between. And some power work in the gym, of course. Race much better on tartan than road, not to mention cross country. Been there, done that.

I still run 7 days/week and being after 40, just raced a mile well under 4:30, but know this type of fatigue. A FT, when tired, can do nothing in trainig and in the race. Being older, you have to run intervals, but should be careful. Not to often, run very easy 2-4 days after a workout, avoid the concrete and regularly train in spikes (to keep the power in the lower leg). Good luck!