A runner recently emailed me with a common concern: “Lately my legs feel very heavy and tired during my runs. How can I prevent that?”
I can totally relate — I’ve had plenty of runs when I felt like my legs were made of lead and every step felt like a monumental effort. Like many issues with runners, there’s no one-solution-fits-all for preventing that feeling. But there are a few areas that you can consider and steps you can take to avoid heavy and tired legs when running.
Are you wearing the right shoes?
First, make sure you’re wearing the right running shoes. If you have a biomechanical issue, like overpronation (feet rolling in), you may be putting unnecessary stress on certain muscles.
Go to a local specialty running store to get a proper shoe fit and running gait analysis. The expert at the store can make sure you get the right running shoes for your foot type and gait.
Make sure you replace your shoes every 300 to 400 miles. Running in worn-out shoes that have lost their cushioning and support can also make your legs feel tired.
Are you warming-up properly?
One of the most important steps is to make sure you warm up before your runs. Start with a 5 to 10-minute walk or easy jog and some warm-up exercises such as walking lunges and high knees.
If your legs are feeling tight or tired after your warm-up, do some gentle stretching before getting into the meat of your workout.
Make sure you also stretch after your run, when your muscles are warmed-up. Regular stretching will improve your flexibility and the more flexible you are, the better your muscles will absorb the impact of running.
Are you overtraining?
Another possible explanation is overtraining. Make sure you’re not running hard or long two days in a row. Give your body (especially your legs) enough time to rest and recover.
Try cutting back on your mileage or your intensity (or both). You can substitute one or two runs each week with cross training activities, such as swimming, rowing, or yoga, which will still build your fitness, while giving your legs a break.
Are you eating a healthy, balanced diet?
Some nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron, can cause fatigue and that heavy, tired leg feeling. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and check in with your doctor to get blood work done to rule out any deficiencies.
Are you doing self-massage?
Finally, treat yourself to a deep tissue massage or do some self-massage with a foam roller or other massage tool. Here’s step-by-step instructions on how to foam roll your quads and calves and how to foam roll your hamstrings and IT Band. That may give you some immediate relief and hopefully prevent future runs with legs of lead.
Should I Run With Tired Legs?
As long as you’re watching out for warning signs of running injuries, it should be safe to push through some mild leg fatigue during a run. And if you’re training for a distance race such as a marathon, it’s important to sometimes practice running on tired legs. Experiencing fatigue during a training run will prepare you for how you’ll feel in the later stages of the race.
However, it’s important that you listen to your body and be careful that you don’t push through acute pain. If pain in one area is getting worse or affecting your gait, then end your run early.
Also see:
- How to Prevent and Treat Tight Calf Muscles
- Why Do I Feel So Tired After My Long Runs?
- How to Deal With Post-Run Muscle Soreness
- 7 Simple Ways Runners Can Prevent Running Injuries
