Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

I'm not doing my 1st 1/2 until Oct, so I do know I have time.

In Nov I was in a car accident (my SUV was totaled, while at a complete stop).
Since the new year I've been really concentrating on my overall fitness. Slowly building myself back up.

Even prior to the accident I've had sore knees & a back that will spasm. So I really want to strengthen my runs before I really get into the mile adding training.

I've been doing 7miles for about 2months. This morning I decided I would do 8. I'm slow (took me 1hr 17min), but it was totally doable, & I was so excited.

BUT NOW....I'm beat!!! Please tell me it'll get easier. Because I'm really scared that when it's time to add the rest of the miles, I won't be able to.

Any words would be great!

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

Back when I used to run regularly, the most I would run is 7 miles and I was still able to do a half marathon, I finished at 1:56... I remember by mile 10 I was really tired, but knowing I only had 3 miles left, I pushed myself. I am sure you can do it!!! Good luck!!

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

I just got inserts from my doctor for my sneakers- it makes a huge difference with my knees and back

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

It's not so much that my body was tired...after I originally posted this, I sat & drank about 3 large glasses of water & immediately felt better. Had dinner & then again later in the evening felt horrible again.

It's a head ache, little spacey....I'm thinking I need to up my calories. I don't think I'm used to burning that much energy & didn't really adjust for it.

I definitely don't plan to run more than 7, I was just curious to see how an increase would feel, since I was doing the 7 for the past 2 months.

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

i think that some runs are just like that...esp on a warm day or even sometimes when i am about to get my period. it sometimes just happens so don't get too discouraged. as long as you're not pushing it. i think you should perhaps just run that longer mileage once or twice a week? i mean during the week do shorter runs (4-5mi) or even 3mi and then save saturday mornings for your weekly 7-8 for now before you start building for the fall. also, cross train during the week instead of ONLY running. i have recently started weight training (nothing serious, just Jillian Michaels Body Revolution) it
has made the hugest difference in my running. i have been running for 16 yrs and have done 6 marathons and 3 halfs. i used to ONLY run and truthfully it never felt totally "easy". now that i have cut my miles a bit and have replaced some of those runs with the weight lifting/bodyrevolution workout i feel SO much better during my runs! my legs and core are so much more sturdy and strong. i wish i had know this earlier on in my running "career". i thought i had to run all the time to get better but for me that has shown to be not so true.
good luck and hang in there. sounds like you are doing an amazing job!

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

First off, great job on running!

I think no matter how much you run, it is possible to feel "beat". I run about 45 miles a week - I have been doing this type of mileage for about 6 years - and still have days where I am worn out after my run. Most days, I am fine, but then there is a day one every 7-14 days, where my body is like - what are you doing to me?

My long runs are 10-12 miles on Sundays. After my Sunday long runs, I eat lunch and then basically bum around for an hour since I need the time to recoup. After HARD races, I almost always get what I call a "running hangover." I get a headache, nausea and extreme fatigue. I do refuel and rehydrate after races, but I think my body just needs time to rest and repair. A few hours later, I feel better.

So, I am not sure if the "beat" feeling ever goes away entirely especially if you are increasing the intensity of your training. Just know that it is normal!

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"

Thank you all! I don't need to explain to any of you the high from running. So, I love running 3-4 days a week. But, yes, I've decided to shorten 3 & make 1 long.

I think I really need to research my nutrition. Just in my estimation, I was much lower. And I had the same symptoms mentioned above....nausea, head ache, etc.

I strength train 2-3 days, so maybe I'll start focusing some more on that, with balance stuff too.

Again, thank you for the encouragement.

Re: Sorry for all my running questions...Please tell me it gets "easier"