Alicia Shay

Nice job. The evening run up the mountain sounds nice. I can't remember the last time I got more than five hours of sleep.

Dale, evenings on the mountains are breathtaking! Definitely my favorite part of the day. It might not compare to your Utah mountains but I won't complain :) 5hrs of sleep!? Yikes. If I am livining at 7000ft, training 2-3 hrs/day and working full time, I need AT LEAST 7hrs just to function. Chronic sleep deprivation leads decreased training adaptation and really increases risk of injury…so I try to get more. Maybe that can be a goal for both of us in the next few months??

Yes, sleep deprivation is really taking its toll on me, physically and mentally. Currently, I work a job for the federal government and my shift is 4:30 pm to 2:00 am. I get home around 2:20. I usually fall asleep around 3:00 an. Then I get up at 7:00 and take the kids to school. By the time I get home, I'm wide awake and can't ever go back to sleep. I'm waiting for a spot to open up on the day shift, where I can lead a more normal life, but until then I'll keep suffering. I'll let you know when that day comes.

Wow! That is a really rough schedule. It sounds like you are doing the best that you can. Hopefully you can change shifts soon and get back to feeling more healthy and rested. Sorry for your suffering :(

It's definitely rough. I've been on this schedule for about nine years and the older I get, the tougher it is, but I'll be ok. I try to catch some sleep whenever I can.

Dale:

Alicia is absolutely right. Sleep is absolutely critical for recovery. Remember that it is when you sleep that you actually get faster, not when you are training. The only purpose of training is to open the door for the sleep to make you faster.

Sounds like you need to start looking for a better job. I know it is hard when you get older, but there is light at the end of the tunnel if you get creative and absolutely refuse to give up. Getting a job that is good for you is only maybe 30% a matter of having the skills. The other 70% is about the ability to handle rejection. Most people cannot and will give up after a certain number of rejections. If you keep trying, you will eventually find yourself being the only qualified applicant for a decent job - everyone that could have pushed you out has given up.

Thanks Sasha, and I totally agree that sleep is very important in recovering and healing and mental well being. Over the past few months I've read several studies on sleep deprivation and found that I suffer from most of the effects.

I could make a few changes, like having my son ride the school bus and have someone take my daughter to school so I could get more sleep, but I have always told them I would be there for them for stuff like that and I know they appreciate it.

I do have a great job that pays well and I enjoy coming to work. I know in due time a spot will open up on the day shift and I will switch over. In the federal government, most jobs are only open to current federal employees to apply. Because of current budget issues, there has been a hiring freeze in place for the past year, so that has prevented any movement within the organization. Once the hiring freeze is lifted, then people will start applying for other internal positions and more positions will open up on the day shift. I just need to be patient and good things will happen.