sleepless nights??

JBuffet

Hi all

I too am training for my first marathon in Dublin this yr. I'm up to 1hr 50 on my long runs and hopeto finish around the 4.10-4.20 mark.

anyway my main problem is that the nights of my long runs and steady 1 hour runs i find it really difficult getting to sleep. On my rest days I'm grand going to sleep.

I have 1 cup of coffee in the mornigns and thats it as far as caffeine is concerned. I do take energy gels with me on my long runs but would they really keep me awake if I'm running for that length of time?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pherekydes

It's the run itself. Your body temperature is up, and stays elevated for longer after a longer run. I have found this, especially after a harder than usual workout, and I've found I can do little about it, apart from sleeping outside the covers.

alano

Any sports you play will keep you awake if you play them withing an hour or two of going to bed, your mind is more alert after a workout and you might find your thoughts racing if you go to bed soon after a run, making it harder to go to sleep.

As Slow coach said, your body temp will be up for a while after a run (or cycle or game of soccer), so maybe some lighter sheets. Also get yourself hydrated asap after (or during) the run, this will help to keep your body temp down.

jrar

Jaysus folks, I have the opposite problem - did a 8.5 mile run last night and slept like a proverbial baby, but getting up the morning after a good run is getting tougher !

JBuffet

Thanks. the tempeature phenomenon sounds like thats the causitive factor. Just glad its not energy gels that get me round.