Running on little sleep? You’re twice as likely to get hurt

2 hours ago7 min read

As a marathon runner who has felt the soul-crushing fatigue of a 4 a. m.alarm for a long training run, the latest research confirming that poor sleep nearly doubles a runner's injury risk doesn't just feel like data—it feels like a truth we've all been pounding the pavement to avoid. This isn't merely about feeling groggy; it's about the fundamental biology of repair being compromised.When we sleep, our bodies enter a sacred workshop where human growth hormone orchestrates the mending of micro-tears in our muscles and the strengthening of our bones, a process utterly vital for anyone consistently pushing their physical limits. Think of that deep, restorative slumber as the most powerful, legal performance-enhancing drug available, one that fortifies tendons, sharpens neuromuscular coordination, and hones proprioception, allowing your body to instinctively correct a misstep on a trail instead of collapsing into a sprained ankle.I've spoken with countless athletes, from elite ultrarunners to weekend warriors, and the pattern is unmistakable: those who treat their eight hours with the same reverence as their tempo runs are the ones who remain on the roads, season after season, while their sleep-deprived counterparts find themselves sidelined with stress fractures and IT band syndrome. It’s a lesson in the holistic nature of training; you can have the perfect training plan, the most advanced carbon-plated shoes, and a diet crafted by a nutritionist, but if you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re essentially building a beautiful house on a foundation of sand.The solution isn't a mystery, but it requires discipline that rivals any track workout: establishing a non-negotiable, consistent bedtime, creating a dark, cool cave of a bedroom, and banishing the blue light of smartphones an hour before rest, not just as a suggestion, but as a core pillar of your athletic identity. Remember, the miles you run in the daylight are only as strong as the recovery you earn in the dark.

#sleep

#injury prevention

#running

#health research

#featured

#rest

#training

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