Long-distance running and the things I learned from it: hypothyroidism, immune system, overtraining

 I've finally reached a point in my thyroid health that my hormones are at a good level and though I have problems with my knees and hips I am finally able to really get back to some exercise. I will not be doing anymore distance running although I am enjoying walking. I am going back to the YMCA so I can get back into strength training which I am looking forward to doing.

 I didn't know (hindsight is 20/20) that all my distance running may have been damaging my immune system, adrenal glands and thyroid. All I knew back then was I was gaining weight without doing much different. I am the one who went into my doctor saying "I think my thyroid stopped working. I am gaining weight for no big reason." I was not eating tons of sweets, baked goods, fried food, fast food and such yet was still putting on weight and my exercise had been suffering. I could no longer keep up with my friends at running group, had trouble with my muscle strength and was tired all the time. If you have been reading this blog you know my troubles. But not sure you know how they started.

  I like to say I was addicted to distance running but have been clean since 2016. It's kind of a joke and kind of not a joke. I believe I DID get addicted to the high of the long run, the excitement of racing, the hours spent out by myself running and running. I felt like a superhero when I was out there for multiple hours, finished an ultramarathon, marathon or any race. I was addicted to that feeling. Yet I have found through a year and a half of reading and studying that over exercise can lead to all kinds of problems.

• Mood swings
• Loss of muscle
• Increased fat retention
• Long-lasting fatigue
• Afternoon malaise
• Digestive issues
• Disrupted sleep
• Reduced cognitive function
• Depression
• Anxiety

I started experiencing these effects after a long time of training to run long distance races. Feeling the pull of the long runs was almost a physical craving similar to a drug. The long term effects on my knees (already long ago diagnosed with osteoarthritis) and ignoring the continuing symptoms (such as more injuries and decreased performance in my running and races) I kept on doing it.

  Even as a trainer myself I was somewhat oblivious. Because of my success in the past of running long distances and training hard I had this somewhat limited view of myself and my own overtraining and lack of recuperation time.

  I am now at a stage where I am starting over from where I was years ago. My lack of metabolism and other issues has contributed to weight gain. I lost muscle strength and have to start over again increasing my strength and my body's ability to withstand exercise. I have to be more careful of my joints and have learned to listen to my body more closely. I have learned that I want to be active but not overactive and to now engage in moderate exercise instead of constant hard training.
   I am happy that I have a bit more energy now than I did a year or so ago. Though I still have many lasting effects from all that overtraining I feel now I can go back to regular exercise and still be careful with myself so as not to cause further damage to my joints or my endocrine and immune system. The long runs are over and that's okay. I am going to focus on exercise to be good to my body not to push it past it's limits. I will engage myself more in strength training, mind/body workouts and gentle exercise.

  I am grateful to those who have been with me through this time of forced underactivity and my mourning the loss of those long runs, distance races and feeling of invincibility.