Pacey runner slowed by 9 weeks of hormones

Is your 7.40 min, pace per mile?

Until I was in my early 50's I was running 5 miles everyday at a slightly faster pace than that and religiously did 5 x100 sets of pressups every day. The onset of arthritis stopped me in my tracks. I missed exercise and the enormous buzz it used to give me.

Now at only 67 years, I struggle to walk a couple of miles. 🙂

From what I've read on here Darren, HT does physically weaken you, which would explain your drop in performance. I'm sure someone will pop along and add a more scientific post.

I'm afraid that this is one of the side effects of Hormone treatment - I am on Zolodex and daily Aberaterone.  I used to do a lot of triathlons and started on HT in June 2022, and for the first few weeks my performance was OK. But after a 2 or 3 months I was noticeably slower at running and could not maintain power levels on my bike. Stamina was also much poorer, not helped by the weight gain of around 5-6kgs.  As an example I went from running around 21mins for 5K in March 2022 to around 28-29 minutes now (I haven't dared race for a year as I don't want to know how slow I've got!!). My bike FTP has gone down from 275watts down to around 200watts in the same time.

The first 12-15 months was the worst as the decline was pretty rapid - I now seem to have stabilised in terms of speed on the run and bike so hopefully it will not get any worse.  FYI, I did complete the London Marathon in April 2023, although it was a run/walk all the way.

Hi UKUSCH,

Great to hear you completed the London Marathon during this. I’ve read about Kevin Weber and his exploits. My wife is reading his book and it is quite inspiring.

Good to hear you’ve had a kind of plateauing of your fatigue and the running times have settled. 

I ran an hour with the wife this morning before chemo this PM and cardiovascularly I’m fine- breathing fine on steep hills- just nothing in the legs! Such a strange feeling. The minds willing but the legs, well just not having it! 

I’m on Prostap after the month on Bical. I think I may get started on a 2nd gen after my chemo and radio. I haven’t noticed weight gain but subtle muscle loss definitely. I built a Covid garage gym like many others and used to bench 60 as a warm up- it’s a real effort now. Tennis wise  I’ve a friendly rivalry with a neighbour and he knows my cancer back story (nobody else at my club does). He’s mentioned how weak my serve has become. Balls I used to sprint to I kind of leave now! 

Well will keep up all the fitness as long as I can and just accept that this is fitness V2.0! Thanks for the advice 

Hi P822,

I hadn’t even factored in the decreased bloods to the fatigue but yes I can see how that would reduce oxygen to the working muscles especially in the extremities like the legs. 

Great effort on the half marathon by the way and yes not a million miles away from your PB. Very respectable. 

You’re quite right about the just being outside and enjoying it as well rather than the times. I think the fact any of us are keeping up running is a testament to the refusal to lay down and let this thing control us to much. Plus it really counters some of the more negative mental health aspects of this whole thing. 

Onwards and upwards!