lack of sleep

[novice]

Does a lack of sleep actually effect running performance? I read somewhere that two nights before an event is the key one to get adequate sleep is this true?

How would a lack of sleep impact when my muscle and lung ability are the same?

Anyone actually know?

[southernsoftie]

Does a lack of sleep actually effect running performance? I read somewhere that two nights before an event is the key one to get adequate sleep is this true?

How would a lack of sleep impact when my muscle and lung ability are the same?

Anyone actually know?

Sleep is when your muscles repair themselves, from even the most trivial of exertions. Not enough sleep: not enough recovery. Therefore there's a risk that your muscles won't be starting on 100%.

On longer runs as well when the mental strength is just as important, a tired mind is not going to be as helpful as a totally fresh one.

[ZootHornRollo]

Sleep is when your muscles repair themselves, from even the most trivial of exertions. Not enough sleep: not enough recovery. Therefore there's a risk that your muscles won't be starting on 100%.

On longer runs as well when the mental strength is just as important, a tired mind is not going to be as helpful as a totally fresh one.

this makes sense

when I get a bad night's sleep I feel physically as well as mentally weary

although once I start intense exercise I tend to forget about it, and so it's hard to say what the actual effect on performance is - but I'd be surprised if there wasn't any

[southernsoftie]

this makes sense

when I get a bad night's sleep I feel physically as well as mentally weary

although once I start intense exercise I tend to forget about it, and so it's hard to say what the actual effect on performance is - but I'd be surprised if there wasn't any

When you get going the endorphins and that kick in, but if you were to time yourself over the same course once tired and once fresh, even though you might still enjoy the run tired, chances are you'd be slower.

Of course, it's illustrated best when talking about extremes, and there's probably a spectrum inbetween. For instance, if you normally get 7hr sleep a night, but one night you get 6.5, it probably won't make that much difference. Compare it to 2 nights without sleeping more than 3hrs, and you'll probably begin to feel it.

[Flopsy]

Sleep is when your muscles repair themselves, from even the most trivial of exertions. Not enough sleep: not enough recovery. Therefore there's a risk that your muscles won't be starting on 100%.

On longer runs as well when the mental strength is just as important, a tired mind is not going to be as helpful as a totally fresh one.

Can I disagree a bit on that? Splitting hairs maybe but..

Rest is when your muscles repair themselves and you don't need to be asleep to rest.

Sleep is when your brain rests (by using different parts of the brain) and is vital to good mental health and efficient brain function. In fact sleep is a very complex action.

I only point out the difference as a life long insomniac.

[southernsoftie]

Can I disagree a bit on that? Splitting hairs maybe but..

Rest is when your muscles repair themselves and you don't need to be asleep to rest.

Sleep is when your brain rests (by using different parts of the brain) and is vital to good mental health and efficient brain function. In fact sleep is a very complex action.

I only point out the difference as a life long insomniac.

Fair dos. Looking at my liefstyle though, most of my rest is obtained whilst asleep. Fortunately. I don't envy you insomniacs.

[emmilou]

Can I disagree a bit on that? Splitting hairs maybe but..

Rest is when your muscles repair themselves and you don't need to be asleep to rest.

Sleep is when your brain rests (by using different parts of the brain) and is vital to good mental health and efficient brain function. In fact sleep is a very complex action.

I only point out the difference as a life long insomniac.

I'm with Flopsy on that one. Whilst you lot are zzzz-ing away I've still got the feet up and resting, just the brain that is still on a workout!!

[ZootHornRollo]

I suspect though there is something about sleep that is physically more regenerative than just 'rest'.

Because you never really just rest do you: you twist and turn or make cups of tea or sit in a chair and read - all of which takes physical energy or tension.

It wouldn't surprise me if sleep is substantially more physically restorative than waking rest - because the muscles are in a state of total relaxation for a start-off.

Glad to be shown otherwise though - will make me feel better about my sleepless nights!

[mr brightside]

I find lack of sleep to be bad for motivation and mood, my work colleagues must hate me as i suffer from lack of sleep throughout the week. I hate running when i'm tired, it's awful.

[Flopsy]

I suspect though there is something about sleep that is physically more regenerative than just 'rest'.

Because you never really just rest do you: you twist and turn or make cups of tea or sit in a chair and read - all of which takes physical energy or tension.

It wouldn't surprise me if sleep is substantially more physically restorative than waking rest - because the muscles are in a state of total relaxation for a start-off.

Glad to be shown otherwise though - will make me feel better about my sleepless nights!

I think for a lot of people it may be true that if they cannot sleep they may be tossing and turning etc and therefore not truely resting.

However, as someone well used to my insomnia I am very good at true rest. I taught myself relaxation techniques to remove all tension from my body. I can lie there all night my body completely at rest, not moving, eyes shut, I wouldn't even respond to you if you spoke to me but I am completely conscious with my brain working overtime. I guess I've learnt a form of deep relaxation.

So when I have those nights my body really is rested it's just my brain that is tired. When the brain is tired it finds it harder to concentrate and perform tasks and that is probably why people feel fatigued becuase they can't focus their tired mind.

Gladly the older I get the less I suffer from insomnia as I have my little routines I follow. However, when I get it it can last for days and so my little deep relaxation techniques get me through it as well as I can