Figuring out the physical difficulties in running
Susan started running this year with a goal to race every month. Lately though, she hit a slump. She walks us through how she dealt with it.
In gearing up for the run at Albion Hills in Caledon through 5 Peaks Adventures, I was reflecting back on the challenges I have had over the last couple of months.
I’ve had a downward turn at the six-month mark of my 12 races in 12 months goal. Although I continue to participate in races, my training and stamina have been lacking, so to speak. So in the last six weeks, I’ve been tackling head-on all that has been holding me back.
Facing my fears was the first step. The next was to figure out why my energy levels seemed to have decreased so much. A quick visit to the doctor revealed that I have low iron. It’s not a coincidence that shortly before this, I started donating blood every 56 days, after a five-year hiatus. I guess, no more blood donations for a while.
Following doctor’s orders, I started taking iron supplements. It was also time to invest in a Lucky Iron Fish. So just over two weeks into getting my iron back on track, I already feel stronger and more energetic.
The next step was to get rid of annoyances and discomfort on the run. Having water with me is key but I needed to find a way to carry it that didn’t feel cumbersome. I invested in hand-held water bottles. It’s the way to go. They are a life-saver in this hot weather performing double-duty as small weights.
Speaking of annoyances and discomfort, I needed bottoms with a good elastic. Constantly having to hike up my shorts is especially hard to do when you have water bottles strapped to your hands. So those shorts are out, and new ones are in.
Finally, there was the undergarment situation. I shouldn’t even have to worry about what is going on between my waist and my neck while I’m running. So investing in a good sports bra has provided me with one last thing to think about.
What I’ve learned over the last several weeks may help other runners. If you find yourself in a slump, start figuring why. Get a check-up from your doctor and invest in comfortable gear. Doing a full evaluation was enlightening. I’m ready to keep picking off one race per month this year.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
