I don’t know if I’m actually asking a question or just looking for commiseration. I started running 10 years ago (34yo) and took to it pretty well. I wasn’t the fastest but got better with miles and at my peak ran a 30:29 5k which was amazing! I got burnt out so I switched to spinning about 6 years ago and have kept up my fitness ever since working out 4-5 days a week and running on a treadmill sporadically. 6 weeks ago I signed up for a 10k (which I completed today). I figured since I kept my overall fitness and cardio up I could pick up on my low end which was 12-12:30 mm. I was so wrong. Training outside felt like I was trudging through mud and when I finished I felt like crap for the rest of the day. I started with 14-14:30mm and one run was great at 13:30mm. I feel so defeated. It’s not fun and it feels awful. I’m more mad because it’s not like I’ve sat on the couch for years! I’m so active. I feel a big part is, obviously, I’m older but I’m also in menopause and haven’t physically felt like myself lately. I just wonder has anyone else experienced this? I finished my 10k today but I was basically useless for the rest of the day. I’m older but I’m not that old yet!!!

  • PoppyandTarget@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    In perimenopause and definitely feel a slowdown, changing in my fitness. That said. many of my runner friends are well past menopause and are fit as fuck. PRing, and everything. So humbling! Every body is different. But if I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of racing, don’t let any one race define your fitness. You can train intensely at peak fitness and still have a meh race with disappointing results. Perhaps your body has reset to a slower pace and that’s okay! Mine certainly is slowing down. I’m making peace with that reality. I’m grateful I can get my ass out the door most days. I’m learning as we age and our bodies indeed change, to be grateful for the ability to move at all and the “wins” look a bit different. Again, another day may yield different results.