Is it harmful to run when you're tired

[Catballoo]

Hello, looking for some opinions and tips on this please.

I'm a carer for my husband, and increasingly my nights are pretty disturbed with not a lot of sleep. I can't change that, so am having to accept that if I want to run, quite often I'm going to be pretty tired before I start.

At the moment I'm still doing two or three times a week, really slowly. I really appreciate the emotional benefits of running but I did wonder if I was doing myself any physical harm running when I am so exhausted. And then I also wondered if anyone had any useful tips abut overcoming tiredness - should I for instance try to get some caffeine down me before I run? I really don't want to give up running.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I wrote these two FAQ Posts healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which address aging and preparation, both of which may be pertinent.

Running while tired is unlikely to be harmful in its own right, but it may increase your susceptibility to injury. Tired muscles are more readily damaged.

Caffeine will stimulate your body and may improve performance but good hydration levels are probably more important. As a runner you need to intake a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide. This will make sure all the cells of your body can function optimally.

Prepare as well as you can. Set yourself sensible running targets and have good rest breaks between sessions.

I am sure that the balm of running will pay benefits in your situation.

Best wishes.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you!

[Birra1 Graduate]

I wish you all the best in your running adventure Cataballoo. Your post has brought a tear to my eye. Such determination!! You go out there and enjoy your self time. You deaerve it 🙏💐

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to Birra1]

Thank you, I will!

[Liono Graduate]

I sympathise. It depends whether the emotional benefits outweigh the potential for injury, which they definitely would for me. I'm afraid I can't help with feeling less tired but to mitigate the risk of injury I would say choose flat, obstacle-free routes and run in daylight if you can.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to Liono]

That makes sense to me; I will do just that. I ran this morning with the sun coming up and I really do believe the emotional benefits outweigh the possible downsides. After all, I might as well be tired for a good reason, if you know what I mean

[Liono Graduate in reply to Catballoo]

I know exactly what you mean and wish I had found running earlier when I was a carer - it is essential to make time for yourself whenever you are able x

[PurpleChrissie]

just a personal observation, but I found magnesium and vitamin b complex both help with tiredness.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to PurpleChrissie]

Interesting. I take magnesium but will give Vitamin B complex a go too.