Any advice on fitting in runs with long haul flying?

[wilmacgh]

Would be interested to know if people have any experience of running before and after a long haul flight. Do you run the day of the flight or the day before? What about when you arrive? Does it help at all with jet lag?

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

I've not done any post-long haul running yet, but I am a frequent flyer short/medium haul. My advice is to wait 24 hours anyway as your body needs to re-adjust after having been flung across Europe at a high altitude and in a pressurised cabin for 2-4 hours. Next weekend I fly to Belfast from Italy therefore 2 short haul flights. I won't run the day AFTER the flight but will wait 2 days. My experiences of flying from Europe to down-under are such that I am always totally jet-lagged for at least 48 hours running would be impossible- but that's just me. Good luck!

[mo-mentum Graduate]

Hi Wilmacgh

I've just returned from a trip to South Africa and ran on the morning after i landed in Cape Town at 9.30 pm, and then every other day on the holiday thereafter. I personally found it made me feel better than i usually do after a long haul, as my circualtion had improved. Clearly jet-lag isn't a problem if you fly due south, but my advice is to get back in to the swing of running as soon as your schedule allows. I didn't run prior to the flights, but that was just down to work committments and that fact that I thought it rude to do a trip to one of the best wine estates without a tasting! Hope that helps.

[Slater Graduate]

Hello! I work as long haul cabin crew, so I spend my life trying to fit runs in around flying. I never run the day I've landed as I'm always too tired, though I have occasionally run in the morning if I'm flying that night. When I reach my destination I try to go for a run the morning after, I dont know whether it helps with jetlag (as I'm always tired ;-)), though I'm sure it cant do any harm, if it tires you out and helps you sleep better.

I have been told before that you shouldn't run within a few hours of landing due to the amount of oxygen in your blood after being at altitude (or something), though I dont know whether this is a scientific fact or just another excuse to get out of going to the gym!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

I am happy to run the day before I fly, but give myself 24 hours to recover afterwards. I'm never sure if I need to do this, but it's what works for me. My feet swell dreadfully after more than 5hours in a plane, so I like to make sure they are fully recovered before I stress them out!

Of course, it might depend which end of the plane you're in - if you spend your 12 hours on your lovely comfy first class bed, you might be okay