Every once in a while I encounter an athlete that seems to do all the training but is not improving. Nutrition is in check, training intensity seems fine and the volume seems right. Adjustments do not seem to help. But after a while I find that the problem lies in lack of sleep. Without sleep the body can not recover. The training cycle is about working out and stressing the body and allowing it to recover so that the next time we train the body is stronger. It we do not sleep enough we take away the time where recovery takes place the most.
Today was a really tough day for me. Last night I only slept three hours. Work is heavy as I get ready to go to Kona and support the team and run the MarkAllenOnline booth. I have a lot of programming to do and this morning I had to get up really early to make the trip from the mountains back to Boulder. I did manage to get a Master’s swim workout in and that was all. I wonder if as we get older we need more sleep or less sleep. Does anyone know?