BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Rest assured, Gabby Thomas is a big believer in the power of a good night’s sleep.
Because to dream big, the American sprinter must first dream well.
Thomas wrote a paper on the subject of rest as part of her recently completed master’s degree from the University of Texas. It’s a look at racial disparities in sleep disorders and evaluates sleep epidemiology among Black Americans.
Her takeaway is simple: Catching valuable shut-eye matters. A lot.
She’s going to need her rest given what lies ahead for her at the world championships. Thomas began Wednesday by winning her first-round heat of the 200 meters. The semifinals and final follow the next two days before the 4×100 relay (final on Saturday) and possibly the 4×400 relay (Sunday).
Good night, indeed.
“The biggest takeaway for me is that sleep is a public health crisis and as a society, we don’t recognize that,” said Thomas, who earned her undergraduate degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard. “Lifestyle stressors have a significant impact on sleep and is actually linked to many chronic health problems later in life. So while I do prioritize my own sleep so that I can be one of the best runners in the world, it’s also because I’m very aware of the consequences of not getting good sleep now later in life.”
Thomas said sleep holds as much importance to her as a track workout. Or a gym workout. Or a physio session. Or proper nutrition.
“It is most definitely the most important part of my training, and I can’t stress that enough,” she said.
She’s hardly alone in her belief about the benefits of a sound sleep. World record shot put holder Ryan Crouser defended his world title last weekend. As much as working on his technique, he credits sleep for playing a role in making him a champion.
“A rule of thumb of athletes at the elite level, they’re all…
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