Disclosure: Megan was sent a Garmin Vivofit to review from Verizon Wireless. It will be returned upon her review completion. As always, all opinions are her own.
When it comes to training for a runDisney race, we focus on a training plan. We work on mileage. We figure out our fueling. We may even work on pace.
Yet sometimes, we forget about sleep.
Along with a training plan and proper nutrition, sleep is important to runners! It allows the body, mind and muscles to rest. Here are a few tips on getting those extra hours of sleep each night.
Start to “shut down” earlier. In our world of technology, it’s easy to work on the computer, watch TV or check social media right up until we go to sleep. Do your best to turn off your devices 15-30 minutes prior to heading to bed. This will allow your body (specifically your eyes and brain) to start to shut down before your head hits the pillow!
Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep each night. While the amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, do your best to get a decent amount of sleep each evening. Yes, it may change depending on the season in your life (for example, busy time at work or the holidays). Fitness trackers like the Garmin Vivofit can monitor your sleep each night, which is a great way to check how much sleep you are getting. (Note: some movement throughout the night is normal!)
Listen to your body. During training, common advice is to listen to your body. The same goes for sleep! If you are feeling extra worn down, your runs seem tough and/or it feels like you may be coming down with something – take a break! Even if it isn’t extra sleep, try to rest a little more so your body gets back to normal and you can get back out on the road.
When it comes to training, make sure you are focusing on all aspects of your body. By including quality sleep in your training plan, you’ll be ready to run your race with a big smile!
Throughout these blog posts, we will cover all aspects of training from our own personal experience. Please note that we are not medical doctors, personal trainers, registered dietitians or in any way qualified to give individualized recommendations. If you have something you would like us to address, please send an email to info@runnersguidetowdw.com!
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