Struggling with evening runs.

[LemonieJ]

My first race is on Saturday and starts at 8pm. I have been getting faster every time I've run a Park Run and was really feeling ready. This week I switched from my normal morning run to running in the evening and it has been a disaster. Haven't managed to finish a run and have hated every minute. I just keep running out of steam as a diabetic and end with very low blood glucose. Tonight I only managed 2.5k and never got out of my warm up speed.

I know it's only a 5k and it's my first one and everyone says "just enjoy it" but have spent the last 2 years losing 6 and a half stone and getting fit and this was what I was working towards all along and really want to get sub 30 mins. My last park run was 30:18 so doable. Feeling a bit disheartened tonight.

[SueKen Graduate]

Hi LemonieJ, don't despair! You've changed your routine by running in the evening so that could be a bit unsettling. I did my first race last Weds evening, the atmosphere was fab, and I knocked more than a minute off my pb. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

A change in routine... that is all ...are your meals sorted to give you the boost you need later on... ?

[Wizziewood]

Well done for that Parkrun PB, and you're right, sub 30 is definitely doable.

Changing your running time to the evening was very sensible, you are now prepared that Saturdays race might be more difficult.

All you can do is give it your best. Like the Parkrun you'll be running with others which I'm sure will help. If things don't go as well as you'd like you'll know there was a good reason, treat it as a practice run and make sure your next race is in the morning.

Let us know how it goes.

Go for it ... good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Have a couple of days off before your run and you will benefit, I am sure.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Goodness me, you have done so well! What an amazing achievement! For your race, you may find that the adrenaline carries you along, but if you are struggling with evening running because of your diabetes I'm not sure what to suggest as I don't have any experience. What is it that works when you run in the morning? How can you replicate this for evening running?

I hope it goes well - good luck, and let us know.

[Michael_W Graduate]

If you're that close to 30 mins at parkrun then sub 30 in race conditions is definitely within your grasp. The adrenaline rush alone will get you through it. Just watch out that you don't go out too quickly from the gun!

Don't worry about training this week either-you're physically ready. If you do decide to run in the next couple of days then forget about pace or distance-just treat it as a bit of loosening up and try to stay positive.

Sub 30 is a milestone for sure but if you don't manage it in your first race then there's always next time. It might be a big deal now but trust me, once you've gone under 30 minutes for the first time then you'll be doing it every week. Then you'll start eyeing sub 25...

Good luck!!!

[LemonieJ Graduate]

Thanks for the replies. Am feeling more positive this morning. I just wish I had switched to night runs sooner so I could have worked on my energy levels more, I honestly didn't think it would make a difference. I was tempted to fit in another run tonight but have decided not to as my knees are touchy today. Am going to try to replicate the morning run which is to not eat for 15 hours before and then have a banana an hour before and another 30 mins before. The last time I ran at tea time was when I hadn't eaten all day and was a little hungover and it was a great run so may go with the banana or not. Am also going to have a couple of glucose tablets handy to see if they help if it's not good when I'm running. And try to run like the clappers

[SueKen Graduate]

Hey LemonieJ, how did the race go?

[LemonieJ Graduate]

It went really well. I decided to replicate my morning run so fasted before the race and then carbed up from an hour before onwards. The adrenaline kicked in and I was raring to go. There was a wicked hill path from the lower promenade to the top of the cliffs just over half way through which I had to stop and walk as did most people, it was evil!! I really enjoyed it but still don't know my time as a lot of the people who paid and registered for the 10k decided to run the 5k instead on the night and not tell the organisers to change their chip details which skewed all the results. I think I was just over 30 minutes but gave it my all so am happy with that. Thanks for asking I can now relax and work on my technique a bit. I want to try and get my breathing better.