Does anyone do shift work?

[Ibot]

Ok so I’m sure you have gathered I’m very new on here

However I’ve a question

I work shift work so planning my runs is not every other day. Do you think that’s ok?

I do it when I can but worried this will not help me 😔

So am I alone?

[mrrun Graduate]

Nope. There are others as well. I run anytime, anywhere. Days, evenings, hot/cold/rain, pre/after work and abroad. All you need is 30min, and hour or more, and actual willingness to run.

[Ibot in reply to mrrun]

Well I do try 🤔 and I am trying 🤷🏽‍♀️😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Nope.. there are many others.. run when and where you can... As long as you have at least one rest day in between .. you are fine... check this post out for loads of advice... then, slow and steady and enjoy

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Ibot in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you chicken x

[Tinker5393 Graduate]

Yes I do , I managed to graduate in about 10 weeks when I was on a mix of 8 and 10 hour 24/7 pattern, now I work 12 hours shifts days and nights plus 3 hour commute so only run on rest days .just run when you can , good luck with it , it's difficult .

[Ibot in reply to Tinker5393]

Thank you for that. I do 12 hourshifts both days and nights. Was worried about the irregularities 🙄🤷🏽‍♀️ X

[ArthurJG Graduate]

As long as you always have at least one rest day between runs its OK.

[Elles78 Graduate]

I am a shift worker and like you fit my runs in around Work. I have completed the C25K followed by 9 consolidation runs and have just finished the first week of bridge 5K to 10K. I think as long as you run as regularly as you can. My shifts are 12 hours and I do two days and two nights. I can’t run when I do days so do a run in the morning of my first night shift then fit two runs in on my 4 days off. As long as you try and run as regularly as you can you will be fine just make sure you leave a rest day between runs!

[andyscott in reply to Elles78]

Hi Elles, i am glad i came across your post as i work exactly the same shift pattern as you do,but you sound as though you have it more sussed than me.

I find this pattern really tiring,my first rest day after completing the 4 shifts i feel really tired and lethargic, i have had a health check and appear to be ok,but my question is how do you manage your sleep etc.

I would like to get motivated to do the couch to 5K and have noted your running schedule,thanks in advance.

[Elles78 Graduate in reply to andyscott]

Hi,

I don’t run in my day shifts. I get up early on the day of my first night and run then potter around and go back to bed for a few hours before work. I get up at lunchtime after my second night and feel generally hungover that day so don’t run. I then run on my second and 4th days off. I feel knackered but find keeping hydrated and eating well helps!

[Ibot in reply to Elles78]

Do you just do blocks of 4 at work? I do have a 60 hour block to? But I normally hibernate once I start nights 🦉 (practically a vampire by the 3 😂😂)

[andyscott in reply to Elles78]

Thank you for the reply, it is my 2nd day shift today so I go to bed about 11pm and tend to have a lie in until about 10.00,but will try an early rise and nap in the afternoon,what do you do the following day of your night shift (your 2nd night shift) sleep wise ?.

[Elles78 Graduate in reply to andyscott]

I go home after nights. Eat breakfast and go to bed. I’m lucky if I get 5 hours sleep 😴

[Ibot in reply to andyscott]

I’m glad I put the post up. I do the same as Ellie but don’t feel like I’m consistent enough with my efforts

Good luck and stay in touch. What week are you on?

[andyscott in reply to Ibot]

Hi Ibot,yes thank you for starting this thread.

I'm the same as you not consistent enough although i do try,I haven't started the Couch to 5K yet but hope to soon, I was just wondering about other shift workers and how they managed to fit the runs in.

I will stay in touch 😀

[Kiragray]

I work 12 hour shifts too. I don’t run when I’m on nights as my can’t cope with it. I fit my runs in on my days off. I do try to have a day off in between and sometimes finish and start a week in the same week I’m off is that makes sense.

[Ajn66]

I do a mix of day and night shifts and try to run on rest days do find it quite hard to fit in tho, I did run after a night shift at the weekend and it went a lot better than I was expecting 😊

[Ibot in reply to Ajn66]

You must be stronger than me I’m useless after nights literally fall asleep every time I sit down !! Go back to my statement of being a sloth 😂