Why You’re Always Tired - Exhausted by default as a female runner

WHY AM I SO TIRED? Understanding Fatigue in Female Runners: Episode 6, Season 4 In this episode of the Women's Running Collective podcast, hosts Hayley and Justine discuss their weekly running routines, including group runs, hill sessions, and the importance of tempo runs for stamina. They reflect on the challenges of maintaining energy levels, especially when dealing with family and daily responsibilities. Justine who is a health practitioner delves into the common issue of fatigue among female runners, exploring various physiological causes such as low blood sugar, glycolysis, iron and B12 deficiencies, hormonal imbalances (cortisol, thyroid, insulin, and sex hormones), overtraining, and the impact of alcohol. They emphasise the importance of proper nutrition, routine blood tests, and respectful rest and recovery. The episode concludes with practical recommendations for managing fatigue, such as staying hydrated, limiting alcohol consumption, and seeking professional advice on nutrition and supplementation. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Start 00:38 Weekly Running Recap 02:08 Discussing Running Challenges 03:54 Upcoming Long Run Plans 04:33 Main Topic: Fatigue in Women Runners 08:18 Understanding Low Blood Sugar 09:27 Glycolysis and Energy Production 12:29 Iron and B12 Deficiencies 18:01 Hormonal Imbalances and Fatigue 23:22 Understanding Fatigue and Metabolism 23:44 Insulin Imbalance and Under-fueling 26:52 Hormonal Imbalances and Their Effects 30:14 Overtraining Syndrome 33:55 Alcohol and Its Impact on Fatigue 36:26 Practical Tips and Recommendations 41:05 Listener Questions and Recommendations Hayleys sparkling water recco is Aldi Northbrook Sparkling Water 8 Link to Nicole running nutrition https://www.instagram.com/total.balance.nutrition/ socks https://feetures.com.au/collections/womens-mini-crew-socks