Am I Training Too Hard?
by Greg
(Hendersonvill, NC)
I am 57 years old and have been a runner for 30 years. Lately I have experienced built up fatigue. I have also lifted weights for 5 years. I average about 30 miles a week at 8:30 a mile and lift upper and lower body 4 days a week. Could this be too much? I no longer compete. My running days per week average 6 days a week.
Answer by Dominique:
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your running question.
We are at our top physical performance levels in our twenties. We are both a little bit past that, you a bit further than I am.
There is no doubt that you are slowly going to feel the effects of getting a bit older. The built-up fatigue could have to do with your running and additional exercise, but maybe a virus has gotten a hold of you and this may also be lifestyle-related.
For example, I am a father of quite young children and find this to be a particularly tiring period. Both my wife and I working, getting up early, coming home late, taking care of the kids, demanding jobs etc. Regardless of my running, I am tired quite often, can't wait until the weekend comes, but then I have got plenty of chores to do as well!
I can't look into your situation any further or read into what this fatigue is exactly caused by. The best thing to do is to go visit your doctor and get a check-up to make sure all is fine. In the mean time it best to make sure you get some extra rest and you may want to reduce the running and additional exercise a little bit by reducing the mileage or taking a few walking breaks in between.
It is so hard to pinpoint the exact reason of your fatigue, so I guess just make sure you take extra care of yourself and try to do everything well to reduce the fatigue and get back to normal.
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Best of luck with this and hope you get well soon!
Cheers,
Dominique
