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Sleeping Pills before a race?

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Sleeping Pills before a race?

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Old 06-29-16, 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by derath
I wish I got 7 hours of sleep like, ever.

-D
Lol, seriously..
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Old 06-29-16, 09:56 PM
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This thread was asleep for 10 years.
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Old 06-30-16, 01:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Edge38
Any depressant will affect your performance in a bad way. Depending what/how much you take you might be able to overcome it. But you will be at a disadvantage. But very poor sleep the night before is even worse.

If you must then try to find something with the shortest half life possible, and take the lowest effective dose (and do everything else right, of course).

Hard physical activity will effectively accelerate your metabolism and deleterious effects of Rx with it, however, so long and/or late day races are better than early and short ones.
Thread was TEN YEARS OLD and I'm sure the OP found a answer/solution long ago. LOL

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Old 06-30-16, 03:58 AM
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I used to think these zombie threads weren't useful when revived... but really, they are. Or, for the posters having a go about it, maybe they could start a new thread discussing the merits of taking sleeping pills before race day. Because I don't recall seeing one recently.

It might also be classified as bullying a new member who has joined the forums as a result of a search engine inquiry. Great way to scare off new members by reprimanding them when there is a thread already in Road Cycling about whether the forums are dying or not.

As to the subject, I don't and wouldn't take a sleeping aid. In some ways, thinking actively about tomorrow's events can heighten awareness. Many are the randonnees I have started where my sleep the night before has been short-ish or broken, and I've still be awake 200 or 300km later and riding quite strongly.
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Old 06-30-16, 11:30 AM
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I can deal with one sleepless night, even two. But three sleepless nights in a row is my limit.
Under those circumstances I definitely would take a sleeping pill the night before almost any competitive event.
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Old 06-30-16, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
I can deal with one sleepless night, even two. But three sleepless nights in a row is my limit.
Under those circumstances I definitely would take a sleeping pill the night before almost any competitive event.
Same here, 3 nights no sleep it's time to do something. My spouse who has more serious sleeping problems was advised by 2 MD's to get a marijuana permit. YMMV
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Old 07-01-16, 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by zzzwillzzz
no on the pills, in my opinion. some more races and you'll get over being (as) nervous beforehand. from what i've heard/read physical ability drops very little with a lack of sleep. it's more of the mental concentration that suffers. bike racing doesn't take that mental ability (any cat V races proves that), just be like pavlov's dogs- don't start salavating 'til you hear the bell ring... (and the announcer scream 'one lap to go, one lap to go...')
I do not agree with this at all. I was a high school and college athlete in multiple sports. I always had trouble sleeping the night before a game. Some people, myself included, have trouble turning off their minds. I visually play the game in my head and can't stop it. I am 47 now and I run a lot of local races. I always have trouble sleeping the night before. Ambien, not CR though, will not last long in your system. I take it and can honestly say that if it puts me down for 3 hours or 5 hours, I am not groggy from it. If you take Benedrl it is much of the same.
Originally Posted by derath
I wish I got 7 hours of sleep like, ever.
i can certainly understand that.
-D
Originally Posted by John Wilke
Gee you must be the ONLY person that has had a hard time sleeping the night before a big race.

Don't sweat it, it won't affect your performance. If you're in shape you'll do fine, if you're not in shape, then the extra few hours of sleep ain't gonna help you anyway !

jw
Now this I totally agree with. It would be great to get a complete nights sleep but in the end don't fret it. Your adrenaline will kick in and all will be fine.
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