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Where Cyclists and Triathletes get Faster/Stronger/Leaner/Sooner

I Still Can’t Figure Out Sleep

Trying to Decipher the Roots of Insomnia

Stress is a major factor in a restless night’s sleep. I have a tax bill and a car payment coming through in the next few days. Maybe that’s my issue. My Brother-In-Law has moved in with us; I have experienced homelessness and we welcomed him and his dog with open arms, both this summer and again now. His depression may be spreading; I don’t agree with his treatments. My wife got treated poorly at a doctor’s visit to determine the extent of an injury or repair. Winter is here, with reduced daylight and opportunities to ride outside or experience the landscape.

Maybe it’s the bed itself – the mattress is stiff, and my radiculopathy does lead to waking up with radiating pain down my left leg at times, and at other times, the leg is numb, the toes tingly.

I’ve been a cycling coach for almost 30 years. I moved to Northern Nevada to escape the stresses and broken dreams of a large Metroplex. Sure, there are always ups and downs with life and living, but for the life of me, I can’t seem to shake this low plateau. Maybe it’s Covid and the lack of friends in the region. I pride myself in having friends from around the world and on different continents and time zones. But DAMN if I can’t find a way to get some relaxing sleep without the use of meds or drugs. I’m not going to take CBD. So don’t bring that up.

I have a suspicion that it’s related to Testosterone levels, but I’m not going to take augmented sources unless doctors truly recommend and prescribe it. That would invalidate my ability to compete, and it would also be kicking the can down the road, since levels drop anyway, over time.

Anyway – here’s today’s Pre-Ride Video: I WILL ride; I’m committed to the physiology and results. I want to lose the weight, and get the power up. I want to show you all how training works, and how TRIMPS (TRaining IMPulSe) works, acutely and chronically. I’ll keep doing this as long as there’s an audience.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for watching. ENJOY THE RIDE!

Deciphering Sleep

I AM Sleeping Slightly Better – Will It Translate Into a Better Ride?

After taking a day off, and focusing on clients, I’m ready to hop back on with my pre-season BASE training. My weight is down about a kilogram, but interruptions in home life continue to leave me challenged with good, high quality sleep. Today’s discussion uses Garmin Connect for a look at what it claims to be observing about my sleep.

Here’s today’s video:

What’s your theory on sleep? Does anyone have any suggestions?

The Heart KNOWS Best.

DFAA1 With the Help of FatMaxxer and Garmin Connect Sleep Leads to a GREAT RIDE!

 

My economy is up, my heart rate is down, my weight is down, and my power is up. SmO2 is also tracking, and I’m starting to adapt.

I know none of this is new, but I do enjoy blogging the approach and the process.

Here’s today’s post-ride summary. Let’s kep the trend going.

Thanks for reading, and ENJOY THE RIDE!

October 10 Base Pre-Ride Comments; It’s Still About Sleep.

The Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Reveals My Sleep Pattern

 

I know, I know – I should be using an Oura Ring or some other system for tracking my sleep patterns, but the fact of the matter is tha t I don’t have the ring at this time, and I’m committing myself to the Garmin Ecosystem for now.

The Garmin Fenix 6X Pro is a watch with NIRS technology on it’s underbody. This is used to measure motion, Oxygen Saturation levels, pulse, and more. I quit wearing watches about 20 years ago, but returned to wearing one when I saw the features of the Fenix. The Fenix also pairs to my chest straps, and can track respiratory frequency during exercise, and more accurately at night, if I choose to wear the strap.

Here’s the video preview of today’s ride. I’ll chime in again when I’m done.

Base Ride Number 2 – Pre-Brief

Ya Gotta SLEEP in order to PERFORM!

Apparently, the winner of this year’s Tour de France, who also won the race LAST YEAR, has a secret. He knows how to SLEEP and RECOVER.

I obviously do not.

I’ve tried everything; blackout curtains, weighted blankets, cold room, no caffeine past 10am, less than two beers a night, no overstimulation for too long…. Nothing really works. I’ve been tracking my Testosterone levels for at least 7 years, to see if that warrants intervention, but honestly, that’s an expensive and invasive step that I’m not willing to take at this time.

But I don’t sleep. And when I don’t sleep, weight management and cycling performance are challenged.

Here’s today’s Pre-Brief that describes the overview of my sleep, my weight gain, and my PREDICTED (not actual), Vo2max via Garmin Connect.