How often do we hear, “I will sleep when I am dead?” Sleep is crucial for our success, and I am not just talking about triathletes. I am saying that business owners, parents, entrepreneurs, and even kids, need their sleep. As a coach, I tell my athletes: ”Sleep MUST be a part of your routine. It is part of your recovery and your success as an athlete.”

Why? Scientific literature has shown what happens to athletes who are lacking sleep, whether it may be acute sleep deprivation or chronic sleep deprivation. The lack of adequate sleep for athletes can cause many different issues such as:

• Both aerobic and anaerobic performance can decrease.
• A decrease in competitive ability.
• A decrease in their determination or their drive.
• A decrease in intensity for their training (i.e.: Rather do a 30 min run, than interval work on the track).
• Negativity toward various aspects of life (training, work, family, etc.).
• A greater amount of overall fatigue.

We see above what goes on physically and mentally during a lack of adequate sleep. What is going on internally in the body with lack of sleep for an athlete?