Get Your Z's

Are you ramping up your training miles this month?  If so, it's the perfect opportunity to remind you of the role adequate sleep has on your sport's performance. Are you setting the alarm clock for an early morning run, heading out after work or fitting in both as the daylight grows?  Listen to your body.  Training too much, too fast, in the absence of proper rest is a recipe for a fatigued workout, injury and illness as your immunity wears thin. When you sleep, your body releases growth hormone which helps repair the damage caused by training and allows you to grow stronger. The average person needs 7-8 hours of sleep every day. In fact a little extra may actually boost both your athletic performance & your immunity. A recent study completed on Stanford basketball players showed that extra sleep time resulted in significant improvements in their athletic performance. They experienced faster sprint times, increased free throws, increased energy and improved mood during practice and games. If you’re looking for a cost effective, easy way to improve your race times, stay sharp and get stronger, go to bed an hour early, or if you can spare the extra ZZZ's, sleep in!