When to prioritize sleep over training + when to train around being on call

Hello, I’m a long time fan, currently my goal is to improve my 5k-10k time in running. Running 5x/wk (45-90minutes per session, 5-6hrs total), 2x/wk strength training (60 minutes per session). I’m a medical student in Europe, recently started my surgical rotations in the hospital and finding it increasingly difficult to get ‘enough’ sleep while still completing all of my training for the week. My question is: how do I know when to skip/postpone/alter a training session to sleep a bit longer/better? I mostly need around 7-8 hours of sleep. If my goal is to make as much training progress as I can, is it better to do all my training and sleep only 5-6 hours on some days even I feel pretty terrible the day after, or should I skip/postpone some sessions to get more sleep on average? I watched your video on training during med school and assume in my case it would be fine to sleep a bit less since the reduction in sleep is limited in time instead of it being a permanent thing. Would like to get some reassurance though :slight_smile:

Also, when being on call, does it matter if I train before (so wake up, train, then be in the hospital for 24hrs) or after (first be in the hospital for 24hrs, then train, then sleep), or is this personal preference?

Thanks as always for these forums and the great content!

Decgreg,

I don’t think postponing training due to reduced sleep is a good idea, as I think there is little benefit with respect to performance or fitness adaptations. I would much prefer people modify the training by reducing volume, intensity, and/or altering exercise selection vs. postponing or skipping it.

Training around your call schedule is personal preference. I preferred to train before I went in, but that was just me.

-Jordan