I am trying to get into distance running. I have really enjoyed the handful of 5ks that I have done and would like to do my first 10K in November with a friend.

I am currently 9 months post surgery (gastic sleeve) and have lost 110 lbs! I have been working on running since I was cleared for regular exercise by my doctor but I have had the hardest time building my distance. At this time I am only about to accomplish 1.5 miles straight before I feel like I am completely out of engery and am going to give out. The rest of the work out I really have to push myself to accomplish 3 miles.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on attaining better energy and great distances???

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

I am trying to get into distance running. I have really enjoyed the handful of 5ks that I have done and would like to do my first 10K in November with a friend.

I am currently 9 months post surgery (gastic sleeve) and have lost 110 lbs! I have been working on running since I was cleared for regular exercise by my doctor but I have had the hardest time building my distance. At this time I am only about to accomplish 1.5 miles straight before I feel like I am completely out of engery and am going to give out. The rest of the work out I really have to push myself to accomplish 3 miles.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on attaining better energy and great distances???

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

I have to believe that if you've run a handful of 5ks that you know how to train for any distance you want to run. I will ask you this: are you hydrating properly when you're training. My surgeon told me to take a 32oz bottle of Fluid with me to the gym every time I go and make sure it's empty by the time I leave (I have little or no problem accomplishing this doing the 5ks I do when I'm on the treadmill). Also, are you still taking your Vitamins and getting proper Protein?

There are people here WAY more versed at fitness training than I am and I'm sure they'll be along shortly. In the meantime, let's look at my questions to you.

Well that's just it, I have run a couple of 5k's now but I didn't "train" for them. I just went out with my husband and had fun in the Color Run and the Glow Run. We weren't there for time but for fun and exericse. I would like to start training for time and distance but am having a hard time keeping my energy up.

I do drink plenty of water throughout the day and throughout my workout. I don't think i'm drinking 32oz during the work out...probably more like 20 or so. So that is something to work on.

I have not been taking any vitamins as my primary doctor did not seem to think I needed them. All of my levels have looked normal post op. Also, I am getting plenty of protein throughout each day...without the use of protein shakes.

So that's a start....what now?? =)

Well that's just it, I have run a couple of 5k's now but I didn't "train" for them. I just went out with my husband and had fun in the Color Run and the Glow Run. We weren't there for time but for fun and exericse. I would like to start training for time and distance but am having a hard time keeping my energy up.

I do drink plenty of Water throughout the day and throughout my workout. I don't think i'm drinking 32oz during the work out...probably more like 20 or so. So that is something to work on.

I have not been taking any Vitamins as my primary doctor did not seem to think I needed them. All of my levels have looked normal post op. Also, I am getting plenty of Protein throughout each day...without the use of protein shakes.

So that's a start....what now?? =)

Define "plenty of protein" ?

I absolutely did not wake up with the ability to just go out and jog a 5k. In January of this year I couldn't stand for more than 10 minutes without breaking into a sweat and needing to sit down. I just got to the point where i could do 45 minutes on the treadmill then decided i wanted to do a 5k. Having a goal motivated me to keep at it and I just kept adding more and more time until I got there.

I'm sorry, you were probably looking for a better answer.

You may look into eating complex carbs 1-1.5 hours before your run, perhaps with some protein. Some say 2:1 is a good ratio of carbs to protein. Running requires a lot of stored glycogen (energy) and it will be depleted during your run if you do not take the opportunity to fuel up before the run and/or during the run. Back when I was running in 1-2 hour blocks of somewhere between 6 and 15 miles, I would fuel up on some carbs during the run at 30 minutes to prevent hitting a wall at 45 minutes. Same thing applies to my cross fit workouts today. I do not run so much continuously anymore or as hard, but am still a strong believer of fueling up on complex carbs before an intense WOD or, in your case, a long endurance workout. You can try gels, energy squares, whatever, but I have also found regular food like apple slices and nut butter or steel cut oats and protein powder work very well as a pre workout snack. The carbs are needed for both optimal physical and mental response both during a workout and everyday life. Good luck!!

Thank you Fiddleman for the information!! =D

Anytime. Happy to help!