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Sleep Deprivation in Overnight Events

432 bytes added, 11:47, 12 April 2013
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In events that last overnight, sleep deprivation can become a problem. I have become much better at dealing with this problem, but I cannot identify any specific action which has provided the solution. I have listed some of the possible solutions for your consideration and I will attempt to research this further.
== Possible solutions ==
* [[Zeo SleepMonitor|Sleep]]. This is the obvious solution, but in many competitive situations it is not possible. Surprisingly, a short sleep of 5 to 15 minutes can remove most symptoms. You will still be tiered, but without the headache and hallucinations, you may make up more time than is lost sleeping. It is important to have someone wake you after the desired time; I would not trust an alarm. As an aside, my limited experiences with sleeping in an endurance event have resulted in 'lucid dreaming', where part of my mind is fully asleep, but another part is still conscious. This is a very strange experience.* [[Caffeine]]. Using a stimulant like caffeine [[Caffeine]] helps only a little. [[Caffeine ]] does work well as an ergogenic (aids energy production) and can offset some of the weakness associated with [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness|DOMS]]. [[Caffeine ]] can reduce the feeling of sleepiness, but I have not found it to help with the headache or hallucinations. The stimulant in chocolate (Theobromine) has similar, but milder, effects.* Mindset. I wrote a section on the psychological issues with running [[Running in the darkDark]], which are applicable here. [reference]
* Intensity. I suspect that exercising at a higher intensity may help with some of the sleep deprivation issues. However, at Massanutten I was going very, very slowly and had no problems even after 34 hours.
* Practice. I have become better at dealing with sleep deprivation in recent times. I'm not sure if simple practice has helped, or if it is some of the other changes.
Do you have hints, tips or techniques for dealing with sleep deprivation? Send them to me and I will add them to the list.
==See Also==
* [[Essential Ultrarunning Tips]]
* [[A brief guide to ultramarathon distances]]
* [[Training for your first 100 mile race]]
* [[Your First 100 Mile Race]]
* [[Walking Breaks]]
* [[Fueling in an Ultra]]
* [[Aid Stations]]
* [[Drop Bags]]
* [[Zeo Sleep Monitor]]
== XKCD==
[http://xkcd.com/776/ http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/still_no_sleep.png]

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