As triathletes begin training, they inevitably hope to tackle as much as possible, generating workouts designed to push them to the limits of their own potentials. Yet, wrapped within the need to extend beyond what they previously thought was impossible, triathletes must remember to provide ample time for the fourth event in training: sleep.

Sleep deprivation impacts countless Americans each night, as chronic sleep issues have reached an almost epidemic rate across much of Western society. Most people in industrialized, competitive-based countries sleep far less than the standard minimum of eight hours per night. This downward spiraling pattern within our culture will have its influence in the sport of triathlon if athletes do not take clear steps to prevent its long-reaching problems.

If the regular American who does not participate in triathlons suffers from sleep deprivation, then how does a triathlete, who in all probability works a similarly structured job, train endless hours and get the required sleep? Seems near impossible, right? The answer, however, comes in the form of decision making. Consider all the needless minutes and hours each day spent doing next to nothing, and then think about what life would be like if you used that extra time to extend your night's sleep by 30 to 60 minutes, or if you elected to take a nap during the day. Without a doubt, with the increased rest you would see your recovery from training improve, your intensity during workouts would double, and your overall vitality in life would be dramatically enhanced.

So, when sitting down to structure a plan for training, make sure you consider not just the need to rest, but also the need to sleep. Make the best decisions in your life to allow your body that unadulterated down time to refuel and regenerate. Not only will your experience with triathlon improve, but also, and more importantly, your daily life will become better and better.