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Old 02-28-2008, 07:00 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Getting Sleep Before VQ/CC
I never get enough sleep the night before a long ride. Last years VQ, and also the Traverse, I only managed to get about 2 hours sleep. It's mostly a nervous excitement that keeps me up initially but then I start to stress a little once it starts getting to 12...1...2 AM. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I know others must experience the same thing.

Thanks.
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:01 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by ThinkFast View Post
I never get enough sleep the night before a long ride. Last years VQ, and also the Traverse, I only managed to get about 2 hours sleep. It's mostly a nervous excitement that keeps me up initially but then I start to stress a little once it starts getting to 12...1...2 AM. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I know others must experience the same thing.

Thanks.
You could take a vicodin (if they make you sleep) at like 5 tomorrow and then just go to bed We've got to drive all the way over to the OC tomorrow night after packing up and getting bottles/bladders full.
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:04 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Troy tonight is the most important night for sleep. 2 days before an big event sleep is crucial... not as much the night before. Same with carbs and water Mario(mp3) takes tylenol pm the night before an event. Hope this helps!
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:09 PM   #4 (permalink)
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OMG...no comment haha

Quote:
Originally Posted by mechmann View Post
my secret to sleeping when i am having trouble is gettin a little somethin somethin. can't do that friday night though, unless steph and dan don't mind...
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:13 PM   #5 (permalink)
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What is something something? Can you get it locally? Never come across it in the LBS.
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:17 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Try Benedryl tonight and see if that helps.. the down side is it might keep you groggy but I suspect with all your nerves you won't notice that. Good luck..Nurse Paula

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Old 02-28-2008, 07:21 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Don't try anything you haven't tried before. Saturday morning isn't the morning you want to wake up in a fog. Eat early and watch a boring movie.
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:21 PM   #8 (permalink)
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...
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:37 PM   #9 (permalink)
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beer... good carbs as well...
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:43 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Don't try anything you haven't tried before. Saturday morning isn't the morning you want to wake up in a fog. Eat early and watch a boring movie.
We'll be in a hotel by the freeway, so we should sleep GREAT.
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Old 02-28-2008, 07:58 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by mechmann View Post
my secret to sleeping when i am having trouble is gettin a little somethin somethin. can't do that friday night though, unless steph and dan don't mind...
One look at who thanked your post is quite telling

Isn't there a boxers superstition about this?

Good luck you guys.

C
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Old 02-28-2008, 08:01 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by ocrider View Post
Troy tonight is the most important night for sleep. 2 days before an big event sleep is crucial... not as much the night before. Same with carbs and water Mario(mp3) takes tylenol pm the night before an event. Hope this helps!
Smart guy! Leading up to the race get lots and lots of sleep. Night before the race... sleep is not so important, but make sure to get your pre race meal in and all sorts of sacred morning rituals on the throne
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Old 02-28-2008, 08:03 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ocrider View Post
Troy tonight is the most important night for sleep. 2 days before an big event sleep is crucial... not as much the night before. Same with carbs and water Mario(mp3) takes tylenol pm the night before an event. Hope this helps!
Yes as Matt mentioned 2 nights before is very important. If you wait until tomorrow it's a bit last minute. If you're reading this at 10pm on 2/28 go immediately to bed. Anyway, same with carbo loading...should have been doing that today in addition to tomorrow.

Anyway, the night before a race I usually take tylenol pm to make sure I can get to sleep. I don't always get a deep sleep but I get sleep. If I'm down in Costa Rica I do what Tinker does and take a shot with dinner.
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Old 02-28-2008, 08:05 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Yes 2 nights before is very important. If you wait until tomorrow it's a bit last minute. Same with carbo loading...should have been doing that today.
Carbo loading starts 3 days before!! Today is already too late! The night before the race is the worst time to try to load up! You wont digest it all and it will just sit in your stomach and take blood away from your legs.
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Old 02-28-2008, 08:12 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Carbo loading starts 3 days before!! Today is already too late! The night before the race is the worst time to try to load up! You wont digest it all and it will just sit in your stomach and take blood away from your legs.
It depends on your body, but 2 to 3 days is the window. I've always done 2 days, 3 days out just adds weight for me.
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Old 02-28-2008, 08:54 PM   #16 (permalink)
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No caffeine and small amounts of melatonin.
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Old 02-28-2008, 09:27 PM   #17 (permalink)
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I've been seeing this VQ/CC for a few weeks now, what is it? Noob question, sorry.
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Old 02-28-2008, 09:32 PM   #18 (permalink)
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VQ = Vision Quest
CC = Counting Coup

Info on the Warrior's Society web site.


As for sleep, I'll be popping an Ambien around 7-8pm to try for at least 7 hours of sleep. I've used it a few times in the past, and fortunately it doesn't leave me groggy the next morning.
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Old 02-28-2008, 09:40 PM   #19 (permalink)
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holy crap... 56ish miles. props to you guys.
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Old 02-29-2008, 02:19 PM   #20 (permalink)
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I took some Tylenol PM last night and slept good. Thanks a million for the tip!
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