IM build up and sleep issues

I experienced the same thing when building into my first HIM. I was also hungry ALL of the time. But that was probably due to not eating enough at each meal.

I neve rhave problems sleeping during IM training- especially with the build phase.  during my build phase I couldn't seem to get enough sleep.

In the beginning I had issues falling asleep because my volume was lower, and I was training later at night.  I would get home and be all wired and couldn't fall asleep.  That's really the only time I had problems sleeping good was early in the training.

x2. I was sleeping 9+ hours a night through the IM training.

I found that I had a harder time sleeping if I worked out before bed. Moving the harder workout for the day to the morning helped me fall asleep earlier. I also had issues waking up in the middle of the night, turns out I was hungry. A light higher protein snack helped keep me asleep through the night.

I feel your pain ... hang in there

It happened to me as well. I was so tired but couldn't sleep either not falling asleep or staying asleep. I even went to the doctor and got something to help me as benedryl was no longer cutting it at times.

After IM, my sleep pattern went back to normal.

I had problems falling to sleep after the long bike rides 100+ miles.  I was tired, just didn't fall off to sleep for a long time.  It wasn't bad for the workouts that were shorter than 5 hours.  

I've experienced exactly the same thing as you've described, and I believe it to be the result of overtraining.  You must get 8-9 hrs sleep, either by going to bed super early, or whatever else works.  Once you lose some sleep, and follow that up with a hard workout, the problem just seems to compound.

-BW

I had sleep problems when I moved from running only to triathlon where I wanted to build up in one season to IM. I reached the goal succesfully, doing my first IM but I totally ignored the sleep problems.
Now, I am much more aware how is important planning well the season and avoiding overtraining and the outcome is that I sleep much better.
How did I do?
First of all, I force myself getting 1 day off each week, "off" means either doing nothing or just weight training.
Then I am trying to follow my feeling and when my body says..."I am tired and I don't want to train", I turn the session into something easier or I take another day off.
Basically, my suggestion is to stay away from the feeling...I feel tired...I want to sleep...I don't want to train...etc.
I don't know if this has a relationship with sleeping but I am doing a lot of weight training which I heard can help with sleeping issues but I don't have any reference.
Now I sleep very well, and I face the though training sessions always motivated and with more energy.
Better less high quality training than more low quality.
With the time, you have to find your personal volume which does not bring you in a bad state of mind. For me it is around 15hrs per week. As soon as I approach 20, I feel it immediately and I don't sleep well. Of course, I can allow this in the peak period but don't do it during Base period especially where you can burn out completely.

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I have the same issue. I have tried to get a sleep schedule together, making sure I go to bed at the same time. Obviously you will need some flexibility on this. Outside of that, unless you are willing to take a Tylenol PM before you go to bed, there isn't much else you can do. They do sell just the sleep aid over the counter and I will take one about twice a month when I know I will have trouble sleeping.

Mike

I find that if I do PM workouts, then sleep is terrible.  I've read several times that it takes 4-5 hours for the body to slow down after intense or prolonged cardio sessions.  So, if you're working out after work, it's probably hurting sleep patterns.

Be careful....you could be getting too close to the edge. Insomnia is one of the classic overtraining symptoms.

I'm actually sleeping really good since adding a good snack right before bed. I think I was lacking calories.

thanks for all the ideas!!

Wow--I've looked just about everywhere to see if anyone had these issues. I'm looking for help. I've progressed from Sprint to Olympic distance races over the past three years; and each year as my training ramps up, my sleep patterns go crazy. During a typical week, I train about 10 hours. In many ways, I have the perfect job. I can get in a morning swim, go to my home office, and can get out for an afternoon bike or run. Better yet, I can take an afternoon nap when I'm tired.

Come evening time, I fall asleep quickly but invariably wake up in the middle of the night. I move to the couch or chair ( !!!) in the other room and wake up at 5:15-5:30a for my swim. Sometimes I get Restless leg syndrome (but that's another issue altogether). I'm not tired during the day, until the afternoon. Triathlon is a hobby so if I'm fatigued, I take time off. No big deal.

I'm going to try the cherry juice-for sure. Maybe I should ditch the red wine and coffee--but that's consumed in moderation.

PLEASE SEND YOUR IDEAS !!!!

Thought I would bump  this thread up on the boards again....

I'm training for my first ironman and was really confused why I could not sleep this week after the increased volume. Never heard of anyone not being able to stay asleep during IM training. 

Just another weird body symptom, I guess.   I will try the snack and the tylenol pm.

Had the same problems plus my resting heart rate rose by 35% and I was constantly stressed.

I eased back on the heart rate while training, made sure I was eating immediately after training (within 15 minutes) and logged my calories.  I was not eating enough.  I also found out that my intensity while training was to high, rookie mistake again!!

So pull back a bit, eat right and train right and things should fall into place.

I am in week 14 of IM training and am sleeping better than EVER! Especially after high volume weekends, I sleep like a baby on Sunday nights. Hopefully the trend will continue because I usually sleep like crap
 

Speaking only for myself, I have a very hard time to get to sleep when I'm dehydrated.

I keep a jug of water next to my bed, and whenever I have trouble sleeping I drink a bunch of water. 

Not necessarily your problem, but something you might want to try.