Declining Performance

Question
Hi,
    I have been running for about 1 1/2 years.  I began just to get in shape, but have begun to be more serious.  I have been running 6 miles per day and about 5 days per week.  In the last week I find that I can't run more than 1 mile without needing to walk.  I feel a bit of lactic acid build up in my legs and begin to loose rythm.  I should tell you that I have lost about 70 lbs in the time I've been running.  I started at about 290.  I should also tell you that my right leg is slightly swollen.  My wife (who is a nurse) called it a type of edema that stays indented when a finger is pressed into it.  I am concerned that I can not run anymore.  Can You Help?

Thanks,

Richard Nyce

Answer
Dear richard
First thing get not running out of your vocabulary.Second my hat is off to you with your acomplishment.I know how tough it has been since i was there 28 years ago and 24 marathons and 400 to  500 race's later 7 days a week still hiting it hard.Keep up the good fight.

Richard in your running career you will experience some down time from time to time.That is just part of the training.If you become a student of the sport and train with in your self you will minimize the down tine.

I would incorporate a little walking and walk jog till your body repairs and adapt's to the higher level of training.Just be patience richard you will be flying again.

Next i would take a close look at youe diet to make sure your getting the proper balance of carb's protein and good fats like flakseed and olive oil.Your diet plays a great role in your performance and injury prevention.I would also start to add 500mg of vitimin C with your 3 meals a day.This is like gold for runners to help strenghten conective tissue tendons and repair cells.

Richard if there is anything else just get in touch and keep up the great work your doing.

The very best to you
John
www.rentacoachinternational.com

DOWN BUT NOT OUT it is your choice what fork in the road you decide to take.it is at that moment you run head on into adversity and feel your dream slipping away that you have to rekindle the flame and reastablish your vision of victory in your heart and your mind in order to become the hero of your own success story..you must not think and talk about the problems that lie a head.you must focus on the solutions and stand tall in the difficult times in life and look beyond where you are now and SPEAK TO YOUR MOUNTAINS THAT LIE AHEAD.that is the only way to accomplish the impossible.hope is not a strategy.its the flight plan that you have filed and are comitted to that will take you in the direction to your destination with a safe landing.

the very very best to you
John