I find it really difficult to sleep before a long run, and I'm often up at silly o'clock....this happens at any distance over about 10 K....no idea why, no one makes me do it, nothing will happen if I don't manage the run, or have to walk some of it....
Tell me it's not just me..
I do a lot of faffing about if the run's going to need anything extra, like nibbles or fluids.
Got to make sure phone has full charge, the watch has full charge, etc. If the track is new to me, make sure the map in the phone is right and the wanted route is in the sat nav app.
Oh yes, up at 5 AM, get out the door 10 AM!!
It's definitely not just you! I get nervous with anything over 7k, same as you - can't sleep much, keep fretting about it... 🙈 and that's just when I'm going for a run, if I've signed up for an event I'm even worse 😅
Yes, events are worse, even parkrun! Last week I did parkrun as part of my long run, ran there, did parkrun, ran on to get to my distance - so double whammy!!
Haha well at least you know there's plenty of us crazies around 🤣
Yes! I get nervous before Parkrun. Crazy!!
No, definitely not just you! I’m exactly the same and always think it’s a bit ridiculous but knowing I am not alone makes me feel better about it somehow!🤣
Definitely not just you !I often feel a certain amount of apprehension before any run , not really sure why !
I guess it's because you never really know how it will go , be it long or short .
Perhaps it's a good thing ?
But i also notice it's more with longer runs .
Don't know why as the world will not end If we don't complete them !
I guess we just want to do our best 😁
It's the longer ones for me, will I be able to complete it? Will I run out of steam a long way from home? That often happens, so I just run/walk so it doesn't matter a jot, but I still chew myself up ver it
Definitely not just you🤗. I now decide on length of run as I set off🙆🏻♀️ Happy running 🤗
OOh!! That's a good idea!! I'm following a plan at the moment, but perhaps after my race is over... I suspect I'd do all short runs though if I did that!
You’d be surprised at what your subconscious says🤗
Not sure. ..I was awake on Sunday because I know I was going to try for 5K!!! Longest run since I was ill in October ! I still get excited before any run really normally !
A real buzz setting gear out the night before...I have got that feeling back thank goodness.
Just hope I can get back up to 10K and beyond again at some point! X
Excited is good, frightened not so much so!
Congrats n your come back xx
Thanks you...yes , fear...not good!
Happens to me every Saturday before parkrun Curlygurly2!
Yes me too, I don't go every week, but when I do I'm so concerned about oversleeping I wake up to early...glad it's not just me!
No, it’s definitely not just you Cg2!
I still run long distance by running half the distance, turning around and running back. 5miles one way and 5miles back feels more achievable than 10miles total. 🤣 HM still gives me the fear. One day, it will hopefully be a regular comfortable distance ❤️🏃♀️
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t, sometimes I plan my route, sometimes I don’t, if I am a bit unsure I try to visualise myself at certain points of my route, especially on my favourite routesJust one of those things really, but I’m always pleased to have made the effort to get out....
Mx
Can you sleep before a long run?
I think it’s only been big events I’ve had trouble sleeping before, a mixture of excitement and nerves I think......mainly about where the loos are.....and loo queues....😂....which in the end always turn out fine.....Mx
Oh loos... I have a very weak bladder, it's always a problem for me!
I find I can't sleep even before parkrun, or I can sleep, but not for very long...I'm often awake by five - ish, a real pain cos you can't run on no sleep..
I try not to think about it too much, if I do it will disturb my sleep. I prepare my fluids the night before, stuff my vest with snacks and that's all I can really do apart from get some much needed sleep.
Often I won't even commit in my head to a distance until the morning to try and fool my brain 👍🏻🤣
It's just one of my many reasons not to do events!
Fear of failure? Daft, but there it is.
I've only been getting worked up about longer runs, or indeed other runs, since I started my trail marathon plan.
As I've posted before, doubtless way too many times, I loathe having to do a specific distance or pace or whatever on a specific day. I got myself into a real state about having to do a 20 miler, not helped by the weather, worn-out shoes, and life getting in the way.
Went out yesterday - admittedly equipped with my trail pack and new shoes - feeling tired and useless and panicky, thinking I could always tick off a 4 miler if the worst came to the worst. And whaddya know, I found myself going exploring (and getting lost) up in the forest, further and further from home. I walked the steepest parts, ran the rest, and stopped to take photos and to check where on earth I was. Turned out not to be where I thought I was going to end up. Boom - 20 miles done!
If I can crack the trail marathon, I don't think I'll ever bother with training or an event again. Too much stress! I'm so much happier making it up as I go along.
I can get that!! I'm already saying to my husband this will be my last long event, but I said that before....last time round I said he could cut my leg off with a rusty saw if I ever said I was going to do another Half Marathon, and if I even whispered the "M" word he could cut both off...
🤣🤣🤣🤣 all the best runners say those things!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
He didn’t though did he......😉🏃♀️Mx
I remember coming home from a long run and finding a saw on the table..
😂.......run away......😂🏃♀️.......bet he wouldn’t be able to catch you....😂Mx
It's not the distance that bothers me, I'm just not a fan of events.
Admitttedly my vast experience consists of precisely one 22+km trail run with fewer than 70 runners and no spectators along the route. I did that primarily to find out about practicalities like where to fix my number and chip, and to see how I'd react to following the route and running with others.
The simple answer is that I'd much rather run alone, as usual, doing my own thing and without the pressure of timing and people watching me. I managed that, by dint of being much slower than pretty much everybody else, but as there'll be hundreds doing the trail marathon, it'll be impossible to avoid others. I'm trying not to think about that.
Makes you wonder why we put ourselves through it doesn't it really? If you add in my balance issues which mean I can't bear people near me , I think they will trip me up or I'll just fall over...I'm always at the back, start last and finish last...I enjoy doing my own thins too, these last weeks have been filled with following the HM plan and trying to fit in taking care of a herd of fibreglass cows!
These plans are a bit compulsive but I think they take a lot of the joy out of running.
This is me all over - it’s really weird isn’t it! Because you’re right, nothing bad will happen if we don’t manage it, or have to walk. I wonder if it’s something to do with the fact we don’t really know how the run will feel until we actually do it, regardless of prep and training? The body can have a mind of its own! I guess as well the nerves give us a bit of adrenaline before we go on “stage”. Hope that makes sense! 😊😊😊
Definitely not just you! It seems to take me ages to get out if I'm planning a longer run, especially with the multiple "just in case" bathroom visits before I get out the door.
Yes, and I still usually need to find somewhere to "go" when I'm out...
Me too Cg2. My prep is much more painstaking; watch charged, phone charged, drink bottle to fill, flapjack to pack and check out calves in case they need a bit of loosening up (like checking tyre pressures before a long journey!). I need to concentrate hard on long runs to make sure that I am pacing myself properly; just a different proposition to a 5k. Probably more excitement than fear really. Long runs are very satisfying, particularly when they are over!🙂
Yes although I don’t realise it and it seems to need certain conditions to kick in. I was happily practicing away for a 5 K charity run. Three times a week I did about 4.83 K as I wanted to save the 5k for the event. All my family and friends were watching and I could barely breathe or get through it. I was really surprised and went out for my next 5k a few days later full of trepidation. Nothing happened . I sailed through it, barely felt it 😱😳😂
I definitely faff about before a run and don't plan a time of day. It usually ends up around lunchtime or mid afternoon after a short yoga session.I've not done a proper Parkrun yet, I'm hoping to get a friend to go with me but I get nervous at the thought! For me, it's running in a large group, everyone's adrenaline will be pumping and some seem so 'driven'. It will be a learning curve that I'm sure will be another positive aspect of being a runner - just the thought of being encouraged by any supporters should quell any pre run nerves and bring a feel good factor - fingers tightly 🤞.
May your nerves subside Curlygirl, try sorting your things out early in the day before, then get on with your day and 'Park' any more thinking about it if you can. If it's not the last thing you think of you might get a better night's sleep. Best wishes ☺️
Always a bit nervous before a long run, dosnt effect my sleep as I'm always up stupidly early anyway 🤣 but the build up to the run I I always feel a bit apprehensive, can I do it? Will i make it without stopping? Why am I doing this? Should I just go home and have a nice cup of coffee and leave this crazy running lark alone? 🤣 Anything over 10k I get all these thoughts without fail.
I'm so glad it's not just me xx
I don't get nervous before any runs but that is because I always have low expectations of myself. I am occasionally pleased with myself when I do much better than expected.
Reading these responses is very helpful for me, too. Although it's never affected my sleep, I do get nervous too - and not just before an event, but as I'm procrastinating before starting off in the morning. Will it be hard, will I look stupid, will I push myself too hard, or not hard enough? The nerves make my stomach churn, which can have unfortunate consequences, and what if I need to go when I'm out? It's really stupid because as you said, no one is making me do it and I can always stop and walk if it gets difficult.
When I tried "slow jogging" the nervousness lessened. I'd already resigned myself to looking stupid, but realising that no one (else) really cares. 😊 As I ran slowly I thought, "I can do this!" And without really trying, I've discovered that my times are a bit shorter. Which is motivating.
Thanks for posting the question!
Struggling with motivation for long runs 
Final long run before the Hexham 10k 
Been here before.🙈🤣
Advice - Long runs and knee care
