A CAMEL YOU’RE NOT by John Post, MD

“I’ve got dozens of friends, and the fun never ends, that is as long as I’m buying.”
Styx

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Dehydration – At mile 95 in the 2004 Ironman Hawaii, I was
forced to stop (OMG) at the aid station. It was either get off
my bike or fall off. I was terribly dehydrated. My pre-race refueling plan
proved far from adequate.

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In the early years of Ironman racing each
athlete was weighed at predetermined intervals on the course to prevent this
problem.  As I entered the tent I inquired about the presence of a physician or a
scale…maybe even just a blood pressure cuff. Although none were available, a
kind nurse from Kona General Hospital operating room named Alice

was and she quickly became familiar with the problem and it’s solution.

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Not infrequently an endurance athlete’s GI tract shuts down and oral

fluid intake is inadequate requiring intravenous rehydration.

These athletes might best consider finishing the contest on another day.

It wasn’t too many years ago that scads of
folks, with perfectly functioning GI systems, would slide into the medical tent
for, “My I.V.” acting more out of post race bravado than common sense.

Know anybody like that?

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Alice saw to it that over the course of 30 minutes (you don’t have
to finish until midnight…but you do have to finish) that I had sips of cool
water and Gatorade, probably over a liter, and I was raring to go. Alii Drive
here I come. Well, in a few hours anyway.

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So, how do you beat the heat?
To me the obvious answer should be well before the race starts.

Ben has done some excellent pieces on dehydration and
heat acclimation. Couple that with a well thought out race plan that’s tailored
to your needs, not someone else’s, and you’re off to a good start. During the
event, it’s critical to listen to your body. One of the skills that got you into
triathlon is your ability to suffer and keep going, a talent better mastered by
some than others. But, if you feel nauseated, light headed, etc. you may be
having hydration issues and be overheating. Don’t start your race either under

or over hydrated  (potential for hyponatremia). We’re learning more about

sodium metabolism and hyponatremia.  Pee right
before the gun goes off and you’re set.

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How about light colored clothing?
Get used to wearing a breathable mesh hat. Summer training runs might best be
accomplished before 9 a.m. unless specifically planning shorter events for heat
acclimation.

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Although Danish TdF cyclist and Polka Dot Jersey winner
Mikel Rassmusen refuses to carry fluids if climbing, don’t you. Happy Drinking!