Originally Posted by
bigskymacadam
I've read that two nights before an event is when you need adequate rest. If you need to pop a pill, do it then ... not the night before so it's already out of your system.
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...')
Both of these. I used to do my triathlons on about four hours of sleep. My two half-irons were each on like two hours of sleep. Am I drowsy after? Yes. Slower? No. If your body was ready the day before (and it should be, or just about) it's ready on race day. Just don't go do something like buy a car or try to do calculus.