Sitting around mostly today. My legs feel heavy and fatigued, but not sore. I'm still SHOCKED at my training this week. This has been the most conistently I've ever trained. It was a good week of work, but I think the real secret was the amount of sleep I was able to get.
In reading my coach's blog, http://www.johnhirsch.org/, he mentioned that sleep is "like free medicine". I couldn't agree more. Nutrition is a huge aspect of the game, but I'm starting to think that sleep is even more important. I believe that you're body is smart enough to sort out the good from the bad when it comes to food. That is to say that we're able to get the most out of WHATEVER it is that we put in out mouths. Now, obviously the better quality of the food we consume, the MORE we will take from it, but even with crappy food, our bodies will take what's availible.
By no means do I think that nutrition is not important, I'm just emphasizing how vital sleep is to the equation.
On another note, I'm starting to feel like a Lycan when it's changing over from a human to a beast. I've been watching Underworld a lot, so bear with me. As some of the lycans change over in the movie, you see the changes happening to them internally first, then the rest of them change over. Throughout this last week, I've felt the inner changes happening. My heart rate was changing, my breathing was changing, etc. Now I'm seeing the outer differences. My body fat is very low (probably a bit too low-but I'll make up for that by eating some extra cals today :)) Also, my muscles and legs are tight. I'm ready for battle. Everything about me right now screams "Let's go!" Very exciting.
So Happy Labor Day. I'm gonna kick back, drink a couple Hedonism Red Ale's, eat some good food, and rest up for Mighty Hamptons this Sunday.
I couldn't agree with you more about the sleep and the Lycan aspect (Underworld is one of my fav movies). This year I was in Colorado when it occurred to me that one of the things holding me back in triathlon was my lack of sleep and a consistent schedule. When I got home I started following the same schedule for waking and going to bed. It really was like a straight shot of adrenalin. I felt like the Hulk. Good luck on the rest of your season.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fred,
ReplyDeleteI'm suprised more people don't talk about how great sleep is. I mean, everyone is up to date with the latest pill or powder that will make you go faster, but not many people mention sleep as being a HUGE component of success in triathlon! I guess since it's free no one wants to sell it! :) Anyway, thanks and good luck to you as well!
Dave