Finished a 10k today and I am cooked. After the run, I went straight home, collapsed on the couch, and spent the next 4-5 hours in a zombie state before I felt human again. This cannot be normal, right?
A bit about me: I’m pretty new to running - doing 3 runs/week following a Runna plan working toward a longer race. My pace is slow (~6:50 min/km) so today’s 10k took me just under 70 minutes.
I’m almost certain I messed up something with food/energy. I honestly didn’t pay much attention to what I ate before, didn’t bring anything with me, and just… ran.
My question for the more experienced folks here: How did you learn to fuel properly - not even for marathons, just for everyday runs like a 10k? Did you figure it out through trial and error? Follow a specific approach? Read something that clicked?
I want to actually enjoy these runs and finish them feeling tired-but-good rather than completely wiped for the rest of the day. Any beginner-friendly advice - what to eat before, how long before, whether to bring anything on a 10k, etc. would mean a lot.
Thanks in advance, this sub has already taught me so much just from lurking 🙏