461: Stress Overload, Decision Fatigue, and Why Your Runs Feel So Hard

Have your runs been feeling harder lately… even when your training hasn’t changed?Maybe your legs feel heavy for no obvious reason. Your motivation disappears by the end of the day. Easy runs suddenly feel exhausting. Or you find yourself overthinking every workout, nutrition choice, and race decision until your brain feels completely fried.In this episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast, Angie and Kevin unpack two major factors that runners often overlook: stress overload and decision fatigue.Because here’s the truth: your body doesn’t separate training stress from life stress.You’ll learn why stress can make runs feel harder than they should, how decision fatigue quietly drains your energy and consistency, and why this can become even more noticeable during perimenopause due to hormonal shifts and brain fog.Angie and Kevin also share a simple but powerful framework to help you reduce overwhelm, protect your energy, and make running feel lighter and more sustainable again—without needing more motivation or discipline.Inside this episode, we cover:Why your body reacts to all stress the same wayWhat decision fatigue actually is and how it affects runnersThe connection between stress, recovery, sleep, and performanceHow perimenopause can amplify mental fatigue and overwhelmWhy hard workouts and important decisions should happen earlier in the dayWhy recovery weeks and nervous system recovery matter more than you thinkHow to adjust your training during high-stress seasons without losing progressIf you’ve been feeling exhausted, unmotivated, emotionally drained, or frustrated that running suddenly feels harder than it used to, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on—and what you can do about it.Because sometimes the answer isn’t pushing harder.It’s reducing the load your body and brain are already carrying.Listen now and learn how to work with your stress instead of constantly fighting against it.10:50 Sneaky Signs Your Body Is Overloaded12:49 What Decision Fatigue Really Means16:22 Race Decisions + Running Mental Load24:44 Decision Lever One: Reduce Daily Choices27:25 Simplifying Your Training Plan29:08 Decision Lever Two: Timing Matters31:36 Decision Lever Three: Build Real Recovery32:13 What True Recovery Actually Looks Like37:18 Why Running Suddenly Feels Harder38:43 The Importance Of Recovery Weeks42:49 How To Adjust Training On Stressful DaysGain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secretJoin the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team Thanks for Listening!!Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!Come find us on Instagram and say hi! Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.