I definetly enjoy afternoon workouts better than morning workouts. Usually an early morning run will be easy to medium intensity only for me. If I am able to go around 9am to 11am then I will do a hard session. You may want to give the morning thing a try for awile. I usually find that I feel refreshed and ready to start my day after an easy morning run. Intensity may be a big factor in your fatigue level. How long? How hard are your efforts currently?
I think the lack of carbs definitely has something to do wit my energy level.
barefoot runner, when I was anorexic and had a lot of eating issues i thought like you did. i seriously think you should stop putting your ideas onto other people, they aren't healthy. you should not undereat, if anything runners should overeat. you have a problem and you need to see a doctor.
I am preferring black coffee before half an hour of running. It reduces the fatigue and I really feel energetic to have it.
I suspect it's all in the mind, and you are actually just fine in regards to food, and it's running after work for you.
Have you actually tested to see if your running ability is worse in the evening than it used to be, or vs the morning or lunch ?
oasis wrote:
Breakfast - big bowl of cereal w/ sim milk, sometimes eggs and toast + peanut butter
Snake - carrots
Lunch - Sandwich (chicken), yogurt, banana, carrots
Snack - apple, banana
Dinner - pasta or steak or chicken, always a well balanced dinner with vegetables, rice or potatoes
I drink about 64 ounces of water a day but am always going to the bathroom
Your afternoon snack is only sugar so it might contribute to the fatigue because you’re burning through it too fast? Try eating your fruit with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter or a handful of nuts. Or have some sort of bar that has protein in it.
oasis wrote:
I think the lack of carbs definitely has something to do wit my energy level.
Depends. How many calories you consume is more important. It seems to me that you just aren't enjoying your running, so you don't look forward to it. It's become a chore. Do a different route or a different type of training each day. Something, anything to get the joy of running back.
I have a nutrition coach that helps me make sure I am eating well and in a timely manner to perform well for each workout and it's geared towards my training plan for whatever race I have.
I have a smoothie throughout the day with chia/pb/oatmeal/banana/almond milk/sometimes spinach that seems to keep me energized. Chia is a great form of energy.
I also drink coffee a fair amount, but always hydrate alongside that.
Nuun helps a lot (and sometimes I'll just drink nuun all day instead of coffee).
Honey Stinger chews and waffles help a TON! I use those as my source of snack (especially before a run). Honey is a great form of energy.
Oatmeal has been a huge boost for me, too. That's always my go to meal before races (especially marathons).
I've seen a lot of energy boost with everything I listed personally (and thankfully most of it is from natural sources)! Now, it may not work for everyone, but sure doesn't hurt to try.
why did someone bump a 14 year old thread?
barefoot runner wrote:
your diet is horrible. milk, peanut butter, pasta, chicken... this is truly poisonous stuff. you also overeat.
i know this will sound irrational and stupid, but try not to eat anything but fruits (preferably organic) until after your run.
no breakfast. if you feel hungry, drink water until you get really hungry and have to eat. then eat a few apples, or pears, or bananas (try not to mix), very slowly. then wait until you get hungry again and eat a second type of fruit. drink water and eat fruits until you run. after your run, eat some pasta if you want, although i'd recommend organic steamed potatoes with a big salad consisting of greens (no iceberg lettuce, though), shredded carrots, whatever you can get, but veggies only!!!! no meat, eggs, fish, just steamed potatoes seasoned with spices (such as dill or whatever you want and some oil, preferably cold pressed organic unfiltered extra virgin olive oil) and a big salad. salad dressing preferably made of lemon juice and olive oil.
do give this a try for a few days varying the salad ingredients and the fruits.
most people think that they should eat a lot to get energy. that's not true. if the food you ate gave you energy, why do you feel heavy afterwards??? why do you have to keep eating? undereating and fasting prolong life, clear your thoughts and make you feel alert and in control. you'll have lots of energy.
i can offer other advice, which is probably not going to be welcomed. good luck!!!
If I ate like this, I would wish for death.
I'm kidding - I do recognize the merits of a whole food plant diet. I just like other foods too much to give them up, its not worth it to me. Good on you if you can pull it off.
willywanka wrote:
why did someone bump a 14 year old thread?
...and I never notice until after I post. Lets run shouldn't shut off comments on threads that are more than 5 years old.
I'v found a gigantic bowl of granola with good yogurt and fresh fruit really fuels me. Theres a real difference you can feel when you go for a run. Sometimes your fatigued and you didnt eat, then you do and can go forever. I also like snacking as I run, granola and fig bars.
oasis wrote:
Breakfast - big bowl of cereal w/ sim milk, sometimes eggs and toast + peanut butter
Snake - carrots
Lunch - Sandwich (chicken), yogurt, banana, carrots
Snack - apple, banana
Dinner - pasta or steak or chicken, always a well balanced dinner with vegetables, rice or potatoes
I drink about 64 ounces of water a day but am always going to the bathroom
I'm uneasy about the snake.