Hydration Advice from Mike Watson
Pre Race
and Race Day
Prior to competing in a long event it is necessary to hydrate well…
Something that has worked very well for me when doing the Rainbow Rage, the Lake Taupo Challenge,
the Grape Ride etc is to start drinking the Leppin Enduro Booster electrolyte and mineral
replacement drink or Peak Fuel Hydration Sports Drink the day before the ride.
or
I’ll drink a couple of litres as well as my normal cups of tea during the day and evening. The
morning of the event I’ll drink a bottle full before the start. That way you start your event with
a properly fueled up tank. You must drink regularly like every quarter hour and take an energy shot
of Leppin Squeezy or PeakFuel Gel every half hour to stay on the game. These are my recommendations
and I have tried to follow them over the course of 11 Rainbow Rages, 3 Taupos, all the Grape Rides
and Around Brunners etc that I have ridden.
If you have done long rides before and have your own system that works for you, then that’s fine.
This advice is more for newer riders and maybe for those who have done long events before and found
they suffered more than they thought they would. Remember, if you were going to drive a long route
you wouldn’t start with less than a full fuel tank in your vehicle, would you? It’s never too late
to try these ideas as you go on your training rides gradually perfecting them. It is important to
try these products out so that you are used to them rather than finding on the big day something
you have selected doesn’t agree with you.
Post Race
After the event you need to drink recovery formulas within half an hour, take Leppin Recovery pills
or just have a little more of what you have just been drinking. This is to prevent your muscles
from being depleted as your system looks to replace what you have used. If you take recovery
products post event the next day your body will feel great.
If you only drink water in events that take longer than 2 hours your body will not hydrate
correctly as the water just goes straight through. The formulated products tell your mind which
controls your body to take onboard those much needed specialized nutrients and restores to your
body what you are depleting it of.
In store we are very happy to provide samples and in any case several of these products come in
single sachet servings which you can try out quite cheaply.
Post and during Race
We also stock Cramp-Stop Spray in store if you can’t quite get it right.
KEY BENEFITS:
* Fast acting
* Easy to use oral spray
* Legal to use in sport
* Contains no drugs or stimulants
* Has a good safety profile
CRAMP-STOP is an anti cramp formulation designed to restore normal muscle function
during an acute muscle spasm, and in some situations may help prevent the onset of
cramp.
CRAMP-STOP is New Zealand’s leading product for the treatment of cramp. Cramp-Stop is widely
used both in New Zealand and internationally during professional and amateur sports of all
kinds. Many of New Zealand’s top rugby players and multi-sports athletes use
Cramp-Stop.
At the onset of symptoms spray once into the mouth and repeat in 30-60 seconds if immediate
relief is not felt. In a situation where you know you are likely to cramp take a dose as
close to the onset of symptoms as possible. Repeat as often as required.
Ideal for use in all sporting activities, is safe for use during pregnancy, and gives fast
relief to those who suffer from cramp at night.
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"I was introduced to Cramp-Stop while training for the 2005 New Zealand Ironman. Up until that
point I thought cramp was just something that you had to get used to and hope not to get on race
day. Now with Cramp-Stop I find that if I begin to cramp during a race I am able to relieve the
symptoms easily and rapidly. It is great to have it on hand for any training or race day. Cramp is
something you don't want to have affecting your performance. A lot of people suffer from cramp, the
smart ones use Cramp-Stop"
ROB DALLIMORE B.H.Sc Podiatrist, Triathlete, Ironman – New Zealand, Hawaii
Enjoy the ride…Mike Watson
Cramp - what is it and how can you prevent it?
Go to this interesting article on the
Peak Fuel website
that covers the topic of cramp and how proper hydration and electrolytes can help prevent it.