Sometimes I feel like I'm just OVERLY EXHAUSTED after a run....!

A few days ago, I did my first 40 minute run on an indoor track and at the end, I just felt like I was going to keel over and faint or something.

Today, I did an outside run-- I'm not very accustomed to running outside, and it was pretty hot, but not unbearable. I was planning to do a 30 minute run. I got through the first 23 minutes then walked for about three then ran the last 3-- I run really slow, The total distance was less than 3 miles and I walked part of it.

So, when I got home, I was in a hurry-- I needed to take a shower and then change. I got in the shower, my face was still really red. I don't think I spent enough time cooling down, and I felt so crappy in the shower I had to get out. Then, I started to get dressed, and I still felt so crappy....!!! Finally I actually lay down for a few minutes with the fan blowing on me...and after about five minutes or so, I recovered and I felt fine....I know that since I was in a hurry, I didn't spent enough time on cool down, but still, is that normal?

I can't decide if I'm just really getting a good workout, or if I'm really pushing myself too hard. I don't feel this way after every run-- just the ones where I get over-tired.

I think it's normal, I've been trying to run recently and at the end I feel SO wiped out. each time i go I really push myself, so maybe that's why, but I think it's my body gaining in stamina, I'm tired because I'm pushing past my limits, thereby expanding my limits.

I feel like that sometimes too and I've been running for over 4 years. For me it just depends on the day, my mood, lack of sleep, lack of food, etc... It goes away, so I don`t worry too much about it...

I never feel like that during or just after a good workout. I usually feel pretty elated with the whole endorphin rush and all. But I definitely feel like that by about 10:00 in the morning. (I workout at 5:30 AM) I am generally begging my husband to let me nap by 4:00 and I collapse into bed by 8:00.

And just when I get used to it...I up the exercise.

I totally feel that way when I exercise. I'm doing C25k (I'm on week 3), and every run turns me bright red and nasty sweaty.

I feel that way sometimes - like someone said, it depends on the day, my mood, my energy level, the wind, the temperature... I went running yesterday and I didn't dress right (it was warm out and I wore a black luon top with black crops... I really should've worn a lighter top and shorts) and my run was slow, partially because i put on a couple of pounds (hopefully mostly water weight... heh) and I was wayy too hot. And I was tired after. Some days though i come back and I think I can run another extra couple of miles, no problems

Priscatip - I'm like that too... I"m always red after a run... haha. The first "nice sunny day" run this year where I just wore a tank top, I came back and thought I'd managed to sunburn myself on my first sunny run because I was red. LOL.

Well, that's good to know....if you feel that way sometimes after FOUR YEARS!

Eliana, you are so lucky if you feel elated! Sometimes, I do, and it's AWESOME!... What I'm talking about is where I feel almost sick, or like I'm going to pass out, or just puke or something. It's not pleasant at all. I feel that way maybe a third of the time, and I can't figure out what the variable is...
Usually it takes about five to ten minutes for the feeling to go away. My face turns beet red when I exercise hard, but I've been that way ever since I was a teenager. I was a jock in high school and college-- I rowed on the crew team which is a high intensity sport. I remember getting exhausted, but I dont remember if it felt like this.

Uber, my husband gets like that. Are you on any meds that would cause it? His meds cause brown-outs (head rushes, basically- nearly passing out). Prior to taking that particular medicine he was having issues with nausea and heart palpitations. He had a really high heart rate from very little effort. Do you get that?

Likely this doesn't fit you, but he has overcome it by slowly, slowly building his endurance. But you've already done that...

Are you eating enough to support your exercise? Are you eating correctly around your workouts? Are you sleeping enough, and taking rest days?

For me, those are all factors in whether or not a workout feels too hard.

Also, I loathe running, so any running workout would, to me, feel like torture. Whereas I love biking, and even when biking very hard, I feel awesome. I think the love of and enjoyment of the sport matters in how "hard" it feels.

Because I loathe running, I simply will not do it. It's not even the "best" exercise for fitness or weight loss. So I am unapologetic on this count

Are you eating a carb rich diet? I saw a chart in my nutrition class (I'm sorry I keep spouting crap from that class on these boards!!) that showed the difference in just regular exercise for people who ate a protein rich diet, a mixed diet, and a carb rich diet. Which I don't mean carb loading, just lots of carbs. The difference I saw was substantial, in endurance. Perhaps try that, like change the balance so that you get a big percentage of carbs, and a mediumish percentage of protein/fat.

Also what about hydration? Because the first sign of dehydration isn't thirst, it's fatigue. Are you staying hydrated? Maybe you can run with a camelbak so you can drink while running. I plan on doing that, I think it would be helpful.

Sarah-- I actually really enjoy running, when it's good, it's awesome, and nothing else I've done has improved my fitness this quickly. I don't enjoy that feeling I've been getting though... luckily I don't feel it every time.

Oodles... I did have to up my carbs a little. By the time I got almost through C25K I started wanting to eat more and I was actually losing better. But, you have given me food for thought about hydration. That is my WORST thing!!! I have to constantly remind myself to drink, as I hardly ever feel thirsty. I don't get hot easily and I don't sweat at all unless I'm exercising hard. I know yesterday I was thirsty when I got in the shower, and after I got out, I went downstairs to get a big glass of water, then I lay down, and five minutes later I felt fine.

I'm going to try to drink more on my running days and see if it helps

Eliana-- that brown out thing sounds awful! Luckily, I don't take any medications and I don't think I'm really going to pass out-- like I'm not dizzy but I feel like I'm too exhausted to take another step. Like I'm too exhausted even to stand up.

I feel like that occasionally...I don't know why though. I've heard that if you don't eat a snack right after you exercise, sometimes that will have you feeling extra sluggish after working out.

Sometimes I run and have no issues - and I feel energized when I'm done. Other times I run and it takes everything in me to get through my run. When I feel like that I'm tired for the rest of the evening after running.

I also second the "are you eating enough"...if you aren't eating enough you WILL be tired, especially if you're running.

I am happy to report that I took OODLES advice and drank a whole bunch of water all day yesterday-- I know I drank four big glasses of water starting in the afternoon until shortly before I went for my run. Last night, I was planning a 30 minute run and I ended up doing 40 minutes and it felt terrific-- I was tired in the normal way afterwards.

I'm going to really focus on drinking water now and see if that was the problem! Thanks guys!

I'm glad to hear that! I don't think water is talked about enough on here. I've noticed a lot of women poo-poo it even. For me, I've noticed the more adept I get at an exercise, the MORE I actually sweat and that sweat needs to be replaced. I find it difficult to drink while running (the bouncing makes it tough!) so loading up before and after is a good idea. And then of course drink a lot through out the day. I usually let up around dinner time so I don't have to keep getting up throughout the night.

I drink a lot of water...it gives me energy.

I agree about the water. I've really been concentrating on strength training and have not increased my water intake. (I already drink a lot of water, probably 10 glasses a day). Well well... my urine was yellow yesterday afternoon! A first for me! So...more water for me is needed during these workouts of really building muscle.