I few months ago, I posted about what a horrible meet, performance-wise, I had at short course nats this year. Couldn't figure out why I swam so slow, and why I was feeling so fatigued.
Anyway, I had a physical a few weeks later, and my blood work showed my ferritin level at 11, and my hematocrit at 39%. Both very low values for an endurance athlete. Doctor has me taking iron pills (ferrous sulfate, 325 mg, twice daily), and I've been taking Proferrin ES for about 6 weeks. Just in the last month, I've noticed a huge increase in performance. I went a :52:33 for my swim split at Ironman Boulder, and I've been feeling great in workouts. Anybody else ever experienced iron deficiency? I'm wondering if the increased performance I'm seeing is due to the replenished iron, or if it's due to something else.
I'm wondering if the increased performance I'm seeing is due to the replenished iron, or if it's due to something else.
I'm not a Dr., so I do not feel qualified to comment on potential medical issues. I am a swimmer and realize that sometimes when things appear to go bad, and performance is perceived as sub-par; some individuals begin improving. The improvements can stem from better eating habits, more rigorous/lengthy workouts, the body naturally adjusting to the workouts coupled with some rest, or a training change from sprint to endurance work, etc. I think the main key is that you are concerned with the performance and are attempting to improve...potentially self-fulfilling.
I'm wondering if the increased performance I'm seeing is due to the replenished iron, or if it's due to something else.
I'm not a Dr., so I do not feel qualified to comment on potential medical issues. I am a swimmer and realize that sometimes when things appear to go bad, and performance is perceived as sub-par; some individuals begin improving. The improvements can stem from better eating habits, more rigorous/lengthy workouts, the body naturally adjusting to the workouts coupled with some rest, or a training change from sprint to endurance work, etc. I think the main key is that you are concerned with the performance and are attempting to improve...potentially self-fulfilling.
