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!!!
I’m older than you and my menopause is almost done. I ran consistently throughout and before as well as being a regular gym goer for strength and flexibility. I think it’s a personal journey but my experience was that the early phases, so peri-menopause and early menopause, things were tougher. I got slower, felt exhausted, couldn’t sleep and put on weight without changing my diet. All rather depressing.
But I persisted with running even when I felt exhausted and had to walk sometimes and somedays thought I’d never manage a 10km run again, or even 5k! Things changed after a couple of years and my energy levels increased, my times started improving again and I now have easily enough energy and enthusiasm to try new sports in addition to running (standup paddle boarding, outrigger canoeing, cycling) and generally I feel much more positive, creative and energetic.
Everyone’s going to have a different experience of menopause and mine was a slog at first but I’m now so pleased I persisted with fitness as a sunrise 10km run now sets me up for a great day rather than being exhausting.
Sending best wishes your way!
Are you on any HRT at all?
I’m 43f and starting to feel different. Slower and constantly sore. Already dreading the long slog until menopause. Your post gave me some hope.
I’m taking HRT and have been for a while now. The HRT reduced the maddening hot flushes I started getting, but the upswing in my energy didn’t kick in until I was a couple of years or so into the HRT.
I’ll add a disclaimer as HRT is a sensitive subject among my friends and colleagues - I can’t and wouldn’t definitively link HRT to running improvements or energy gains and I’m certainly not a doctor. What I’ve said is just my experience.
Why is it a sensitive issue? Such a pity that HRT is so vilified and menopause such a taboo
Because there was a study that linked HRT to breast cancer at startling rates. However, the quality of that study has been questioned somewhat.
yes, that’s what i’ve heard about perimenopause - that it is more difficult generally than menopause: unpredictable, variable length, emotional rollercoaster, metabolism and hormone changes galore, etc etc.
i heard that it is good to think of perimenopause as the opposite of puberty, and remember how turbulent that was? so be patient with yourself and your body, that is what i am trying to do, too.
Thank you for this! I started menopause super early (36) and I feel lately things have changed and I don’t feel the same. I guess it will be an ebb and flow but right now I feel horrible! Weight gain, brain fog, slogginess. It’s awful. I know I’m not young but I’m also only 43 and my body acts like it’s 60!
Hey there! I went through menopause at 22, and while the peri menopause symptoms definitely affected my motivation, I’m fitter and faster than I was before! As long as you finish perimenopause and take the HRT, I think you should be right as rain. Running just sucks so matter how fit you are haha
This is so reassuring to hear, I am 50 and I noticed at around 47 I started finding running harder, I couldn’t recover as well, had low energy, in fact it affected other areas of my life, I just felt like I’ve lost my oomph. I am slightly better now, reading your comment gives me hope. Do you mind me asking how old you are
Your reply gave me so much hope. I’m nearing the end of peri (I think) and almost in menopause. The sleep changes are so hard and have had an affect on everything including running. I hope that it turns around.