I’ve been tired lately. Last night my dad commented because apparently it was the first day that I didn’t either take a nap or sleep in super late. I was surprised because I didn’t even really make note of that, but then as I thought about it it’s true. I have slept a lot lately.
As I think about it, my tiredness has seeped into running as well. Today I felt it a lot. I’ve been a bit discouraged because I want to jump up to 6 miles a day because I know I’m in shape enough for that, but for whatever reason 4 miles seems to be my limit. As I was deciding where to run today what it came down to was the distance, either 4 or 6 miles. I wanted to go the 6 mile loop, but I decided on the 4 because if I got exhausted I didn’t want to be miserable the last 2-3 miles. I’m glad I did because after 1 mile I was already exhausted.
I’ve been discouraged thinking I’m out of shape and frustrated because I can’t seem to increase my mileage, but I don’t think that’s quite accurate. My breathing was very relaxed. My legs are a little sore, but they weren’t hurting much as I ran. Neither did my core or anything. Normally I’d push it a little faster until I was at a pace that at least got my cardiovascular and respiratory systems working harder. And maybe brought a slight burn to my muscles. But for whatever reason, I can’t get myself to feel that. I can’t push myself that hard because I’ll get exhausted quick and not be able to finish miles. And I was already exhausted just trying to make it through the run.
I think the Lithium I’m taking is causing my exhaustion. I have to take it for probably another month, I’ll be doubling my dose in a couple days. But it’s a stepping stone for another medication that I will start after I run out of my Lithium prescription, and then I can stop taking it. So if that’s the case (one of Lithium’s side effects is fatigue) then I’ll just have to make it through another month or so and then hopefully the exhaustion will go away.
Anyways, today I did VA loop. Like I said earlier I was already exhausted one mile in. I stopped for a minute and stretched, surprised that my body felt great but I just struggled to move at the pace I wanted. So after a half mile I’d decided to go a pace that didn’t exhaust me, that felt good. The last mile I wanted to walk because I was so tired. But I didn’t. I ended up averaging 8:03.
Mood-wise I feel great. At about an 8. This is much better than a couple months ago.
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