I did a hard run last night. 1.5 hours with the middle 30 minutes at threshold. Run finished around 8:30pm.
I got home, ate something, took in some fluid, and after a bit of chilling went to bed feeling exhausted. The problem was, i had a lot of trouble actually falling asleep, I could feel myself like 90% there, but then would end up tossing and turning. basically didn’t fall asleep until around 3:00am and now i’m at the office feeling like a zombie.
After the run, i took some calcium and magnesium as well as some omega oil which i tend to do after hard workouts. Muscle discomfort was pretty high last night and maybe an advil would have helped. dunno.
Anyone have experience with this? i’ve noticed that it happens maybe 50% of the time when I’m really training hard.
Personally I have a hard time sleeping if I have a hard workout after 6pm. I think it takes longer for the body and brain to wind down after a late workout and it affects sleep patterns. Just my non-scientific observation.
Not sleeping after a hard work out could be an early sign of overtraining. It usually happens to me on days where I have done 5hr or more of exercise.
On the other hand, sometimes I am just excited by the intense workouts I just did. I want to relive the glory in my head. This is no different than watching an exciting movie. The solution is the same as with the movie. Think about something else, relax and try again. Or better still do boring workouts before bed. Save the more exciting stuff for earlier in the day.
This happens to me from time to time and for me the reason it is hard to fall asleep is due to muscular discomfort and heat. I simply do 30-60 minutes of stretching and rolling prior to bed and I turn my thermostat down 3-4 degrees. These two things ensure I fall asleep rather quick and stay asleep through the night.
Only when the days get warmer. I’ve had to alter my work schedule in the summer so that I can sleep. Get on the road at 6 AM for the hard workouts, because if I do it any later than ~4 pm, I’m too hot trying to get too sleep.
I have this exact problem on occasion.
In my case I find it’s usually dehydration and the solution is simply more hydration immediately post workout. I’m a very heavy sweater so I don’t know if this will apply to you or not but thought I’d throw it out there just in case.
I have this problem when I do the Tuesday and Thursday training crits in the spring and summer. Eat a good meal and chase it with a glass of red wine, it helps me get to sleep.
Very common
Aside from a few freaks who can fall asleep right after any type of physical exertion the majority will need a couple hours to wind down.
I had to give up my beer league hockey because the 10 pm games followed by beers to wind down we’re killing my weekday mornings.
I finish all my run/ bike workouts by 8:30 and lights out by 11.
Yup, the old HR gets jacked up and stays elevated. Evening races at the velodrome are the harshest. The cure is a beer and melatonine or your sedative of choice.