Sleep quality during OS

William Jenks

This is my 1st OS, and I'm in the November group, so we're about 1/3 through (i.e., week 7).

I have noticed that my sleep quality/pattern is different than what I'm used to.  It's not that dead-to-the-world-no-dream-no-nothing-I-am-a-rock-walk-all-over-me-if-you-want-to sleep that I associate with high volume build up.  In fact, if anything, it seems more highly cyclic than usual, i.e., I've noticed I'm more likely to wake up at those 90 minute cycles than during "ordinary life".  But I sure feel the need to sleep HARD. ...not excessive amounts, but if the night is short, I sure know about it.

I know that sounds a little contradictory... intense need for sleep combined with easy mid-sleep wakeup; intense need for a certain amount (7+ hours) without needing excessive amounts...

But that's why I brought it up.  Just different than usual.  Wonder what other people experience along these lines, if anything.

mattsull

Have you been doing many workouts in the evening? I find similar patterns when I workout closer to bedtime. I've been doing all my OS work in the mornings and have been sleeping great.

William Jenks

Oh, I'm sleeping fine. No complaints there. Just different.

I tend to do them at noon or early evening (post work, pre dinner). For a variety of reasons, O-dark:30 doesn't work for me most of the time.

Norton

For me, sleep disruption is one the first signs that I'm in need of more/better recovery. Except that I'm a knucklehead and ignore the signs as long as possible because I don't want to admit that I'm that "weak".

Humility is a bitch.

mgraffeo

Well said, Bill.

I cant really add personal experience, since my sleep is so different post septum surgery. But I've noticed that the dead-to-the-world no dream sleep is highly correlate with digging a hole, whereas dreaming sleep tends to correlate with better restorative sleep and better recovery in general.

Steve West

Been a night owl - training after 8PM for some years now - mostly running till this OS. Always, and still so far this OS, it takes me less than 2 or 3 minutes to fall asleep. Normally I work out, have dinner, watch the late news then hit the rack. Two or three deep cleansing breaths and I'm out. I may stir during the night but have no issue falling back to sleep. As the CTL builds things may change but not so far. Come Christmas I will be ramping up my run miles as I start to focus on running Boston. Hope to keep the sleeping normal..... we'll see....

scottwstewart

William, it's interesting that you brought this up because I have been noticing the exact same pattern for me since starting the December OS. I'm typically the dead-to-the-world-no-dream sleep type of person, but since starting the OS I have been the wake-up-occasionally-dream sleep type of person. The weird thing is, I have been sleeping less (7 hours vs. 8 hours a night) but feel more rested. I've been eating healthier, so I thought maybe that had something to do with it.

jburbatt

I experience the same thing anytime I'm doing shorter but consistent workouts, like the OS. I'm rested, and getting up doesn't bother me. When I'm not working out I do the same thing but don't feel as rested. During IM training, dead to the world usually because I'm just exhausted. The only time I start to worry is when I'm not feeling rested cause then usually something is off (need an extra rest day, getting sick, etc.). It's an interesting pattern for sure.

William Jenks

Interesting to see people's reactions and that I'm not the only one who has seen a change. (I should be clear that I'm not complaining about not getting enough rest or anything...more just an observation.) Thanks all. :-)

Coach Patrick

William, same here. I am sleeping well (not cheating and trying to get less), but yes to multiple wake ups. I think it's part of the work we are doing for sure...but as long as I am rested when I wake up I don't care about the night. Heck, now my kids sleep I am doing so much better than in '09!

Good thing I can fall asleep instantly!!!

Mike Hedman

For me a complicating factor, particularly when working out in the early evening or night is hydration, or more to the point, un-hydration. That is, I drink a lot during the workout and in the post work recovery...and then have to pee a couple of times at night.

Mike