Sleep

I found that I was more relaxed by my second one....
my first one I slept at home and was a baket case.
Second one I stayed with a friend and slept like the dead.....

The old marathon axiom is that it's not the night before that's important, but the night before that (two nights before your event). Hopefully you'll spend that nighta t home and get a good night's rest.

Also, now that you know the night before is not important you'll be able to relax and sleep.

The sleep problem is purely mental - you have to convince yourself that you are as ready as your going to be before the race. I agree with The Bear - you need to make sure the night before is a good night for you. Just don't resort to taking a sleeping pill or anything similar - you'll pay for it during the race when you wake up groggy. Good luck!

I have the same problem before events, I can't sleep. In my mind, I'm going over all the details and strategy for the race. Plus, I'm in a hotel and I never sleep well in hotels. Last time I raced, I brought along some Tylenol PM. Worked like a charm and I slept like a baby.

As has been stated, the three nights before the race might be more important than the night before the race. Do your best to get 7-8 hours the three nights before.

The night before the race, eat a big meal early - 5 pm is preferable but no later than 6 pm, and take a nice walk after eating. Before going to bed, take a warm shower and get right into bed. NO TV. Read something other than a tri book or tri magazine - anything but that! I'm guessing you won't be able to read more than 3 pages before you start to droop. Sweet dreams!

Agree with Triman50 - Also get all your T1/T2 gear ready and packed in your bag. Double check it all, and then forget about it. That shoud help reduce the stress related to not sleeping. I also put a bottle of water and take small sips during the night if I wake up. This will also help to hydrate you over a long period.

Good Luck! and dweet sreams!!!



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The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.

This is a good thing, because if you are well hydrated, you'll be getting up to ..ummm ....pee during that last night too!

I too find that having everything ready (including a note to myself to remember the bottle in the fridge/freezer) I sleep much better.

The night before my second tri I slept in a 3 man tent with my hubby and 5 yr old daughter. Next door to the campground was a very large gathering of motorcyclists for an annual bike rodeo. That night was their live band dance party which started about 9 and lasted until about 2. The music was great, but sleep did not come until after the music finished. I woke up about 5:30 and felt groggy and light headed. We packed up the tent and headed for the nearest Tim Horton's (good coffee). The tri went great, I shaved 3 min. off the time for the first one, so I was happy.
Do the best you can to get a good nights rest at least 3 or 4 days before the race. Just accept that adrenaline will start the night before the race and just go with the flow!!!

Have fun!!

Darlene

I agree with these guys, the night before isn't as important as two nights before. Before my first try I was so excited and nervous I slept only two hours, literally. And because I had a solid sleep base, can u say that, earlier in the week I had no trouble what so ever. Just don't get too uset by it let it happen. Good luck!

M

OK- so maybe we'll just decide to stay up and talk/read all night. Then maybe we'll be able to sleep...... I know I'll be really nervous because we can't register the night b4, we don't know anyone else there, never been to this place b4, hundreds of miles from home.....

It'll be great, tho- I can't wait to see how Tractoral has improved since July. I should be about the same..... I'll just try not to cry this time.

Altho- when being awake all night last time we also got very hungry.....