So, I woke up at 6 am today. The workout called for a fairly intense run with 30, 45, 60, and 90 second sprint intervals. I was actually looking forward to running in the chilly 20 degree weather, but promptly proved I can talk myself out of anything by falling back asleep. I got up at 8:30, power-showered and was out the door with a tie on my neck at 8:50.
But, if you’re my coach and happen to be reading this, there is also some good news!
I feel better today than I have all year. I am alive, clear, and anxious for tonight’s workout. The plan calls for a bike ride, but since I biked last night, I think I’ll do the run I bagged on this morning. That cool, coach?
Man, I know sleep is important, and I think most of us believe and understand this, but we don’t realize just HOW critical rest is for the mind and body. Not only did I get in the hours last night, I slept soundly. I mean, I’ll occasionally sleep a lot on the weekend but that doesn’t always mean I’m refreshed. It’s a delicate balance. So, the obvious question here is, why did I sleep so well?
3 POSSIBLE REASONS FOR MY GOOD SLEEP LAST NIGHT
1. I ate a light meal for dinner. In fact, I don’t even know if I would really call it a meal, it was a potato with cottage cheese on top. I finished the bike workout around 11. Messed around with the blog until midnight, then went to bed.
2. My dog slept in her own bed! She is usually trying to negotiate unfathomable real estate in my bed and often laying all over me when there is clearly tons of room for her to sprawl. I wish I knew what gave her the urge to sleep in the living room, but she is more unpredictable than then most women I know.
3. I was simply relaxed. This, of course, is easier said than done. It was actually the first night of the week when I DIDN’T meditate, so I cannot for the life of me put any of this together.
I think this mystery is synonymous with the core of all Ironman training. I am on a roller coaster between confidence and doubt that consumes my waking hours. And, maybe this whole post proves it seeps into your non-waking hours as well.
Mike Tarrolly – Crushing Iron
Great post. I stopped trying to figure it out and just go with the flow knowing there will be good nights of sleep, good days of working out, and then the rest…
Sounds like a good plan to me. I have never been able to fall asleep, so I should probably just accept it. Maybe then I’ll actually be less stressed about it all. Ha.