Thursday, May 21, 2009

Snoozing...or not...

Art by Betsy Walton

I ride during the week, sometimes in the evening with friends after work. I've always done this and enjoyed it immensely once Summer arrives but lately when I've been riding, usually on the later rides starting about 6PM, I get home kinda late and I'm tired from the ride but feeling fine. I eat a little, hang out and wind down and then go to bed. However I can't seem to get to sleep and when I do I wake up a lot. I don't know what's up with this, it doesn't seem to happen when I ride earlier in the day or on weekends, just these late evening rides. It's annoying to say the least but I don't know what to do except deal with it, I don't want to give up my evening summer rides. I've noticed sometimes and not all the time, that when I get very tired physically I can't rest or get to sleep, my mind seems to be still amped up though my body is tired, so it's a mix of mental and physical. I wonder if anyone else suffers from this, I know it can happen to Craig once in awhile too. Sleep is so important to me but as I've gotten older I've noticed it's not always as reliable as it used to be, just something that you have to deal with I suppose.

4 comments:

Kim said...

I think it has something to do with your body not being able to wind down in time to sleep and than on top of that you're eating later and you're eating energy food on your rides which may have something to do with it. I felt it the first couple of weeks but now I don't go to bed until I feel tired and this seems to be working.

It won't hurt my feelings if you choose to ride earlier in the day either :) Sleep in way more important and I'm used to riding alone during the week....

Carey said...

Thanks for your thoughts Kim..We'll see how it goes..I'd rather just have my body/system adapt. I'm gonna keep trying different things and see what works..

Unknown said...

Hi Carey-
Ah, the sleep thing. Well, it definitely changes as we change with the seasons and the years. I have definite rhythms of my rides & meals, & sleep. I sleep alot, & wake up on strange intervals in the middle of the night. Again, I have more seasons than you. I think they ( the great they) say that too much stimulation at the end of the day doesn't promote rest. Ah, what the hell, you got to ride when you got to. I'm a late morning person, or maybe 4:00 P.M.
Love your blog Carey. I check in regularly. You resonate.
coming your way soon.
kat
p.s I saw Chanin last weekend & thanked her for connecting us.

Carey said...

Good to hear from you and read your words Kat. I'm so pleased that Chanin, who I admire so much, was able to connect us as well. I think you just have to roll with these fluctuations in body and mind the best you can, everything passes and changes, that's a constant. I'll find what works for me but you're right you gotta do what ya gotta do..and suck it up sometimes..it's nice to know everyone experiences similar disturbances at times.