The importance of sleep

All the research out there shows that you need sleep not only to function, but you need extra if you are going to be an "athlete" like myself. Well, let me tell you, I learned how NOT train in the last couple of weeks. I've been having trouble getting more than 6-7 hours a day, which I think you can suffer through if you're reasonably sedentary? A suburban commuter? But for someone who runs/works out 5-6 days a week and walks or bikes to work (still shaking my first at the jerk who stole my bike!), I gotta tell you, that just doesn't cut it.

On par with not eating well, training and lacking in sleep seems to accomplish two things:
-overall fatigue
-major muscle soreness

I started out Saturday morning having a shameful little cry of frustration. The alarm was set for 7:15am so my honey could go to work and I could power through a long run. The night before I had shot awake too soon before my alarm, and then Saturday morning 6am rolled around and I was awake and couldn't get back to sleep. I hadn't gone to sleep until probably around 11:45-midnight, so I was confused. I hadn't slept enough, why was I awake? I laid in bed, attempting more shut-eye, but it was no use, so I got up and drank some greens+ and read the paper. As soon as my girlfriend got up and asked me if I was ok, the waterworks began.

So it appears that lack of sleep also accomplishes:
-general emotional distress
-overall suckiness.

Saturday's long run was an exercise in... hell. My running buddy was also overtired after a week of 12 hour workdays, so we scaled back the scope of our run from 18k to 15k, and set out. The one thing that seemed out of whack, other than having what felt like absolutely NO juice in the tank, was that I was thirsty, thirsty, thirsty. I went through my water rather quickly. All in all it wasn't a totally shabby run, but certainly nowhere near my best.

Fast-forward to this morning, my weekly kick-off 7k. I managed about 7.5 hours of what felt like DEEP sleep last night and felt like a new woman. I maintained an approx 6 min/km pace (which is my best pace, really) and felt strong, fast and capable. No encouraging self-talk required!

Now, the challenge at hand is figuring out why I am not sleeping. My sister, frustrated for me, has ordered a ridiculous/fancy night mask from Australia for me (consequently, my girlfriend did the same thing on the same day.. hilarious), I've got somewhat effective blackout blinds, and I'm going to see the doctor to get a check-up. We'll see. In the meantime, my goal with the upcoming half marathon is to finish healthy and happy, and not worry about time. It's the first one, and it's 21k. I just want to cross the finish line still smiling!