Tread Lightly Running Podcast Running Through Exhaustion: Why You're Tired All the Time and How to Fix It
Dec 20, 2025
They dig into what counts as normal versus abnormal fatigue and when tiredness is a red flag. They cover vitamin and iron issues, low energy availability, and the limits of caffeine and pre-workouts. Conversation includes carbs for runners, hydration and electrolytes, hormone changes like perimenopause, and training load, recovery, and burnout management.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Amanda's Hormone Diagnosis After Persistent Fatigue
- Amanda Brooks described being unable to get out of bed and losing hair until an endocrinologist found zero estrogen.
- That diagnosis followed multiple dismissive doctor visits and shows persistently pushing can mask serious hormonal issues.
How To Tell Normal Training Fatigue From Abnormal Fatigue
- Distinguish training fatigue from abnormal fatigue by duration and daily impact.
- Training fatigue improves with rest or sleep; abnormal fatigue is constant, affects most runs and daily tasks, and persists after sleep.
Get Blood Work For Vitamin D Iron And B12 First
- Do get blood work to check common deficiencies like vitamin D, ferritin/iron, and B12 before supplementing.
- These deficiencies cause fatigue, poor sleep, mood issues, and low ferritin often drops before hemoglobin in runners.