Unexplained Fatigue

[Kate]

Hopefully I am posting this in the right spot.  And I am hoping that there is at least a handful of (fellow runners) out there who have been in my shoes.

Over the last week or so I have been very low on energy.  Early nights to bed still feeling like I hardly slept when I get up in the morning.  I ran the 10K Wolfe Island Classic last Sunday, forced a half decent 5K run on the treadmill this past Friday and headed out for a very sluggish 12K this morning in what I didn't think was too bad a morning weather / heat wise.

Is it as simple as attributing all of this to the heat and humidity of the past week?
Am I suffering fall back from taking some time for some muscles to heal (aka laziness) over the last couple of weeks?  In June, some of my Sunday long runs consisted of a 19K and a 17K without any problem, but the last couple of weeks I have only run maybe 3 times in a week with a maximum distance of 12K on a Sunday.
When do you decide that maybe there could be an underlying health issue and get it checked out?  I am NOT a person who goes to the doctor readily.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

Happy running!   

[Rhonda]

No professional opinion here, only experience. My energy levels were very low at one time. I had blood work done and found out that my iron levels were off the chart on the low side. I can't remember the numbers but if normal is between 8-60, mine were 6. My doctor couldn't believe I was even functioning. Factors contributing to low iron in my case - a lot of running (did 2 marathons, a 1/2 and a 25k trail run in one year), donating blood regularly, and heavy menstrual flow were all factors. Doc put me on prescrip iron pills. Have scaled back amount of training and not allowed to donate blood for a while. Still tired sometimes but way better than before.
Get it checked out.

[Kate]

Thanks Rhonda.

Never gave it a second thought, but I donated blood last Monday.  Haven't in a while because of the amount of running I have been doing, felt guilty and kept my appointment this time.  When the nurse checked my blood to see if I could donate, she had to double check and put some on a slide and see if my iron was ok.  She said it barely met the criteria to donate.

Might explain lots, but I think I will contact my doctor and get some blood work done.  Just to be safe.

Thanks again!!

[Newt]

Kate,

Definately low iron/giving blood can cause the fatigue you described. Even if your iron levels are at the borderline of normal, giving blood can wipe you out for a couple days, especially when combined with this heat. I do all my training wearing a hrt rate monitor, after giving blood my heart will run 10-15 beats higher at same pace-run, power-bike for at least a month.

Still won't hurt to get it checked, as well it won't hurt to increase iron rich foods, which generally running women should eat more of anyways.

Peace
Peter

[NancyR]

Kate, I think the others beat me to it here, good advice.  Hope you are feeling more energy soon.

Nancy

[Rhonda]

May need correction on this.....eating iron rich food is not just enough. They need to be combined with vitamin C which helps the body absorb the iron.

[Kate]

I knew that the body wouldn't just absorb iron alone ... that there was something else that needed to be eaten/taken with for it to have an effect.

Thanks for all of your help!

[Kate]

Oh ... and is it okay to be TOTALLY FRUSTRATED???

Hips out of line, corresponding muscle issues and now this???  Who signed up for this?  Oh yeah ... I did.

[Rhonda]

It all just means you are ALIVE AND KICKING. Much better than the alternative!

[cucina]

Kate,

Take your HR first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed, if it is higher than "resting" it probably means you are overtraining.

Although low iron is certainly worth checking I think you should look at your training as well and maybe give your body a bit of a rest. Combination of weather and amount of running you have been doing I would be inclined to believe its overtraining.

[Kate]

Very true, Rhonda.  Very true!  I am feeling a little more optimistic this morning   

Janet ... thank you for that information.  I will check my resting HR first thing (tomorrow) and see if it is higher than resting.  Just to look into the option of over training.

Thanks!

[NancyR]

Just a bit of iron info - I love black strap molasses, my mom used to give it to us on toast! or a bit in hot cereal, and it has a nice amount of iron plus other good for you stuff!
Sometimes I put a tablespoon into a shake.


Nutrients in Blackstrap Molasses-
Here's what you'll get if you take just 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses:

4.5 mg of useable iron - You'll get more iron per serving than red meat! And, there's no need to worry about fat or cholesterol. That makes molasses an excellent addition to your diet if you're vegan, vegetarian, pregnant, or suffering from anemia. It is also great for children and adolescents who need more iron.

Calcium - About the same amount of calcium that you'd get in a glass of cow's milk.

Magnesium and Potassium - about 20 percent of the RDA (recommended daily allowance).

Vitamin B - Molasses is high in vitamin B complex. B vitamins help your body cope with stress.

Chromium - Your body uses chromium to help keep your blood sugar levels stable. You?ll find a fair amount of this trace mineral in molasses.

Other Minerals - Molasses also contains manganese, copper, and selenium.

[Kate]

So ... after feeling like a human pin cushion, the results are in.
To quote my doctor, "my B12 is in my boots".  Normal is a minimum of 135 and mine is 90.  Oooops.
Certainly not anythink I thought.
Vitamin B12 shot to get me on my way and a trip to my friendly neighbourhood pharmacist to get recommendations re: daily supplement.
Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions!
Kate

[NancyR]

wow Kate, I should have thought to suggest B-12. I don't eat meat and so I take B-12, you can get little strips to place on your tongue, I find they taste a bit icky... but they absorb better from what I understand. I take a wee tablet, everyday.

I've had to get a shot in the past, right in the fat on my belly! Ouchy.

Had you cut back on animal products in the last 6 months-1 year?

Glad you got to the bottom of it!!

Nancy

[runningwild]

Wow, never thought about B12!  I don't take any sort of supplement, but have wondered if I should.  I don't eat a lot of meat or dairy, and can't eat eggs. Are there any other dietary sources of B12?  Anyone know of any good supplement brands?  I've heard the stuff you get over the counter in the drug store is crappy.