Sleep on It: Why Perfect Sleep Isn't the Goal

We're told that sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health, recovery, and running performance. Eight hours. Consistent bedtimes. More deep sleep. Better sleep scores.

But what happens when life has other plans?

Ashley hasn't slept through the night in more than two years, thanks to two little kids. Trax is navigating early-morning wakeups, night sweats, and the sleep disruptions that come with perimenopause. And both are wondering: Are we actually getting enough sleep, or have we just gotten used to being tired?

This week, we're tackling sleep from three very different perspectives.

First, Dr. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, explains why women's sleep changes as we age, when poor sleep deserves medical attention, and why trying too hard to sleep can actually make things worse.

Then, two-time Olympian Molly Huddle gets refreshingly candid about motherhood, fractured sleep, and accepting that she can't train or recover the way she once did. She's still racing, still finding joy in running, and learning that sometimes showing up with what you've got is enough.

Finally, champion mountain runner Grayson Murphy shares what happened when her nine-hour sleep routine collided with new motherhood, how sleep deprivation affected her workouts, and why she's now training based on what she can recover from rather than how much she can do.

Along the way, we talk sleep trackers, caffeine, co-sleeping, perimenopause, training through exhaustion, and the pressure to optimize absolutely everything.

Because yes, sleep matters. But maybe getting a little less anxious about getting it perfect matters, too.

In this episode:

• Why women's sleep changes with age and hormones
• What to do when you wake up at 2 a.m. and can't fall back asleep
• Whether sleep trackers are helping or making things worse
• How to adjust training when you're not recovering well
• What two elite runners have learned about motherhood, sleep, and athletic expectations
• Why one bad night doesn't have to ruin your next race
• When to seek professional help for ongoing sleep problems

Still Running is a podcast for women runners who are still figuring it out. Hosted by Ashley Arnold and Rebecca Trachsel. Visit stillrunningpod.com for more!