The need for sleep

[ju-ju-]

Since running I have found I have needed LESS SLEEP ( hence why I'm up now...).

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and if anyone knew why? Thank you

Juicyju

Xxx

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Reading your posts and also my pre-graduation experience is that you are often on a high after completing a run, sometimes so much so that you just want to go out again or do something else or to share the experience.

None of that makes you particularly sleepy plus I guess your body is getting fitter so you can cope with more before you need to rest.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

Too true, I guess it's the endorphins as well... That's a thought, it must be because I'm fitter, I only have about 5 to 6 hours a night and that's enough, pre- panther running I would have needed 8 or 9...!! Or perhaps ill just need to hibernate to make it up??

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

I may have missed something but what is Panther running ?

[Hidden in reply to runningnotwalking]

Pre-panther = large, tired & lethargic and unable to run, and very tired all of the time.

Post-Panther = more lean and toned, higher levels of energy and has the hunter instinct back.... Less need for sleep. More need for panthering.

So much more like a panther with every single week....

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Love the description, and that's exactly it!!! I've done alot of reading about panthers and they are perfect for running and what I'm aiming for in my running....I love panthering too and ... And that's a whole new movement every runner should explore...

[Hidden]

I'm not sure how much is running related or how much is due to there being more daylight hours and our inner animalistic traits come out during the spring/summer.

If you look around you, many animals spend less time sleeping during spring as they prepare for their nests etc and then summer foraging and gathering food. For us modern humans we know that food is always readily available so we have a lot of time available.

Just wait till middle of December when its cold and dark, and if your still full of beans then you will have your answer.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Very true, since running my animalistic traits have definitely come out, and I'm more of a panther now than a fat sleepy cat. Reading up on panthers apparently in Winter they are at their most powerful... I guess that may require more sleep ... !!!

[alcopop Graduate]

Sleep is over rated. Running is just as good a cure for a hangover as sleeping.

The fitter we get the less time our bodies need to recover, hence less sleep.

Enjoy the moment

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to alcopop]

Totally agree, thanks Alcopop. Now that makes sense, right of better get up and go for my run!!!!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

I've certainly started sleeping better on my run days (nights - you know what I mean!) but I'm not sure I need less generally. I find it hard to think back to when I started though, so you might be right. I love the panther image! Whatever, enjoy those extra waking hours any way you care to

[Oldgirl Graduate]

That's an interesting question juicyju, I sleep sounder/better but need less hours. Even in the winter I'm up and often out at about 7.30. Max these days is 7 before 8-9.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Oldgirl... I think you are just amazing, everything I read about you is inspiring, a role model for us lady panther runners ...

[OldNed Graduate]

Don't know about running causing me to need less sleep. I'm at the point of sleeping less anyway, as a natural feature of getting older. I virtually never sleep uninterrupted from start to end. But that is the old [pre-artificial-light] pattern anyway, when sleep was recognised as being in two phases, 1st & 2nd sleep, with a wakeful period in between. I think I'm regressing to that stage and learning to be relaxed about it.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to OldNed]

That's hard... But it sounds like you are managing that really well.. Happy zzzzz's but more importantly happy running...

[kirble Graduate]

All this talk of sleep is making me sooooo tired. Nite, nite