Anemia/Iron deficiency and running

Hi there,

I've recently been feeling really tired and I have felt as if my fitness is getting worse not better.  My breathing when running is rubbish and I want to stop after a couple of miles.  I have had some blood test results back and my iron levels were 11.7, but my iron stores were low at 10.  Anyway...I'm wondering if this would effect my performance and if I should stop giving myself a hard time about just being unfit?

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.  Thanks 

Hope this helps...

http://www.running.net/read_feature/low-iron-may-have-you-feeling-fatigued

Has the Doc told you to take iron tablets?  I found out I was anaemic after being turned down for blood donation, and took iron tablets on advice of Doc to sort it out.  Running became so much easier afterwards, I hadn't realised how much I was struggling!  Don't give yourself a hard time about being unfit until your iron levels are back to normal!

Thank you Sleepy Bear...that makes me feel loads better as my ferritin levels are only 10...now I've got to work it up to that optimal 60.  I think I'll have steak for dinner.  

Rogerbunny...thank you. I'm now taking 3 iron tablets a day and have been for 5 days now.  I went to a track session on Monday and had to call it early and then went out for 3 miles this eve and struggled...hopefully I'll start feeling a difference soon.  

I guess I just keep training, taking iron and eating well and eventually I'll see an improvement.

Thank you

Are you absorbing the iron ok? I get bad anaemia problems - since I starting upping the mileage a week (I do about 30 miles per week) I have had on-off problems with anaemia. The doctor warned me to avoid certain drinks when taking the iron for example, to help absorb it correctly.

Maybe you just need a break.