OOK

Coming off of my PR at the Columbia Tri (19th in my age group) and placing third in my age group at the much smaller Rock Hall Tri, I’ve developed a serious case of inflated head syndrome over the past few weeks. I’ve noticed that I can’t get through doorways or stick my noggin out of the car window; carrying this big melon around may have even made my lower-back pain worse. I’m telling you: It’s a serious condition! Seriously, though, it hasn’t really made me think that I’m “all that” –rather, it has caused me to think I need to work harder.

I approached this past week as someone who should be able to ramp it up and train like an Ironman (woman). I’m a big-girl triathlete now; I can do anything. But there was one thing I couldn’t do very well: sleep. Unfortunately, I didn’t let that slow me down; so I didn’t rest as much as I needed to. Consequently, my work week was sub-par, and I spent an entire day thinking I had lost my wedding ring, because I couldn’t remember that I had left it sitting on the ring holder in the bathroom. My brain just wasn’t firing on all cylinders. This is what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. It has this cumulative effect, and you get the feeling that some big, absent-minded mistake is just around the corner.

I worked out six out of the last seven days, but I think I only slept well about 2/3 of the time. Other kidney donors have complained about insomnia, but who knows if it’s actually related to the donation. I’ve never read a study saying so. (But then, again, I haven’t read many studies, period. So, do *not* consider me an expert on that stuff!) At the same time, as a forty-four-year-old lady, I could be going through normal, hormonal changes that affect sleep. So, that could be it as well. All I know is – it doesn’t gel with Ironman training. Or even Half-Ironman training. I need to get this sleep thing figured out! I’ve tried melatonin, which helps a little. Having a fan running in the background also helps. But these feel like band-aid solutions at a serious time. Now, we have only 24 weeks to IMAZ!

As I write this, it’s exactly 42 minutes past my bedtime. I need to sleep. My alarm goes off at 3 am. I sure hope I can get some Zzzzz’s before then. Good night!
-Ookgirl