sleep – Running on Fumes

I once thought how I’d love to have back my 16-yr-old body. Not a care in the world, could live on Snickers and bad decisions. And I did. But then I think of what my body has done for me – I realize the one I have now is absolutely perfect. I’m in awe of this body. It birthed a child. It carries me to and fro with ease. It reacts so positively when I nourish it. There’s something special about the word nourishment. More than eating, it requires nourishment. I nourish my mind, body, and soul. It rejoices.

Yogurt + blueberries = my daily standby

The salads that Mini makes fun of me for eating daily are truly fulfilling to my body. When I think about why I love them so much, I recall visiting Aunt Mary Catherine’s home and she always had a green salad with lunch. Always! I loved her simple green salad. And it was never referenced as a “salad”; it was a “green salad”. Probably vice fruit salad or ambrosia salad. Which are magical in their own way.

In this age of convenience, a salad is not. In fact, salads are expensive which proves a barrier to families with limited or strict incomes. Salads could even be considered rich-people food. I’m not rich but my body demands this rich person food. Enriching, if you will.

Sleep is also a favorite self-gift. I’ve found, through diligent research, that my body reacts the best when it receives 9 hours of sleep. Now, before anyone acts shocked, I’ve had an 8:30pm bedtime for nearly my entire life.

Notwithstanding the bed time, research (the real kind) indicates a full sleep cycle lasts about 90 mins which means 9 hrs of sleep grants about 6 full REM cycles. In my opinion, it is why I nearly always remember my dreams each morning. A full cycle grants me the ability to fall into a natural REM cycle where I awake in the proper stage to remember my dreams.

I’m no doctor…wait. I am!…but anecdotal evidence is evidence nonetheless!

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I ask you –

What is your average sleep cycle?

What foods do you find nourishing?

(The post Smart Choices first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

As there are some travel plans during my month long holiday break, of course I took the opportunity to see if there were any nearby races. I can’t help it. There weren’t; however, it made me contemplate a training plan. I’m consistently running 12-15 miles per week now and I feel strong. Running throughout the summer really established a great base albeit difficult to circumvent the Texas heat. Yet somehow I did it. A few moments were touchy but I think I excelled at staying hydrated and playing safely.

But I’m leary of the incredible inflammation that comes with a training regimen. And I really don’t have the necessary time to devote to it with my school schedule. My knee is in a good place, too, so I can’t fathom disrupting the work and maintenance it requires to stay healthy.

Notwithstanding, this course load is rough. It’s only one course. Anything statistics related is my Achilles heel. Even when I am the professor what he envisions, it doesn’t end well. Maybe he doesn’t know either. All I do know is there’s about 3 weeks remaining and I’m counting down the days.

Returning to running, I’m consistently making it out for a few miles a few times a week and then usually a long(er) run on the weekends. Like I said before. My plan is to maintain this schedule during the winter and spring then see what next summer looks like. An immersive dissertation year will be upon me. We shall see.

I may not be sleeping or dreaming as much as before, but soon enough they will return.

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I ask you –

What kind of mileage have you been running or walking lately?

Do you typically dream?

Give me some advice for when I’m not sleeping well!

(The post A Girl Can Dream first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)