Disturbed sleep after long or hard run

[aldgadgie]

Does anyone else get this? I’m currently training for a marathon and whenever my long run is I find it difficult to sleep the night after. I also find it also happens after a pretty gruelling group running session too.
Think it’s the heavy leg feeling that wake me up. It’s frustrating as I know recovery and sleep are interlinked. Any ideas on what I can do? Thanks

I sleep appallingly badly after swimming training. Eventually drop off for a couple of hours then wake up for a few hours then drift off again about an hour before I have to get up.
My training session is just too late for my body clock- 8:30-9:30. I'm more of a lark than an owl. Even though I'm physically exhausted and eat/ drink afterwards, I always have a bad night.

I find if I run too late in the day I struggle to sleep. I don’t run as far as you though! Currently getting up at 6 and running, and my sleep has never been better.

thenewwave do you eat before your run? maybe I need to start planning them earlier. Barbarawarpecker i'm only up to 9 miles distance at the moment, your sleep after training sounds similar to mine.

Ald if I’m getting up at 6 to run then no, i don’t eat. I don’t run as far as you though, I do 10km max really but usually 5-6 on the early ones. If I’m running in the afternoon I’ll eat breakfast but try not to eat at least 2 hours before. I get terrible stitch if I eat beforehand. I take isotonic tabs dissolved in a pint of water though.

Interesting about isotonic tablets. I think I may have to try to get my runs in earlier.

The isotonic tabs were literally a game changer for me, I take one about 30 mins to an hour before a run if I can (it as soon as I wake up if I’m doing the dawn run!) and I don’t get a stitch anymore and also don’t get that ‘dragging a corpse’ feeling I used to get! Sugar free ones available in most big supermarkets or Holland and Barrett

Thanks, think I will investigate and get some to see if they help me run earlier.

It might be psychological but I found wearing compression socks in bed helped (albeit maybe not in this weather!). Also, making sure I had a good amount of protein following the run- if the session is in the evening I have a protein shake (My Protein The Whey) mixed with oat milk and a banana as soon as I'm done. I dont feel like it, but it definitely aids sleep and recovery.

This is interesting. My daughter has total insomnia after Athletics training in the evenings. Glad to hear she's not the only one really.

Trained hard last night and spent time foam roller if my legs afterwards and slept like a log! Hope I’ve found the solution.