The Bike Doc 250+
Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 1398 Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:26 am GMT +0000 Post subject: |
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You may well have been running a deficit on your fluid intake. Conditioned athletes can loose two quarts of sweat an hour. I am a big fan of Gatorade because it is inexpensive, and is readily available in many palatable flavors. Use a hydration system like a CamelBak which makes it much easier for you to drink while you are on the ride or run. Check your weight (in the buff is best) prework out or race and again immediately afterwards. For every pound you are down post workout or race, you were deficient in your fluid replacement by 16 ounces. So if you drank one quart (32 ounces) of fluid while racing and you are down two pounds at the end, you need to increase your fluid intake 32 ounces more on top of the 32 ounces you consumed while racing.
Disclaimer: I have no financial connections with Gatorade or CamelBak. I recommend them because they work and are readily available.
Get the book Stretching by Bob Anderson. It is an easy read and provides invaluable information abour correct stretching, exercise specific stretching (including cycling) and the importance of daily stretching routines. Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes then do a series of stretches to help limber up the legs and ward off the cramps. Do stretching after riding and do daily stretching on your off days or rest days as well.
Thanks, _________________ Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc |
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