Training Programs

Importance of Proper Hydration

Frequently we discuss the importance of proper hydration and nutrition as it relates to building and repairing muscle tissue, burning unwanted body fat and consuming enough water, sugar and electrolytes to perform optimally every day when you head out the door.  With this in mind, I want you to begin keeping a very detailed analysis of your sweat rate.  Nutrition as it relates to nutrition is an interesting subject; we look at the quality and quantity of your food intake and evaluate if you have enough energy to finish your workouts feeling strong throughout the duration of the workout.  If you begin to fatigue, we know that we need to adjust the quantity (we assume that the quality is there at this point).

Now let’s take a detailed look at your hydration as it relates to your performance.  Proper hydration is going to affect your body in two ways: one, it helps you regulate your core body temperature.  The cooler you are from the inside out, the better you will perform.  The second benefit to proper hydration is that your muscles (and brain) are receiving enough water, electrolytes and sugar to perform properly: good mental clarity and strong muscle contractions.  With this in mind, please use your Sweat Rate Calculator (see attached if you can’t access your copy) and document your average & max heart rate for each workout.  To improve your confidence on race day, we need to know what your sweat/replenishment rate is specific to your intensity with the factor of temperature & humidity.  Though it sounds tedious during the week, it is invaluable on race day – you will know exactly what your hydration strategy to implement to race up to your fullest potential.

Understanding your sweat rate as it relates to your intensity and conditions is another tool for you to Work Smart, Not Hard, and Avoid Overtraining!

Yours in sport & health,

-Coach Robb, Coaches, and Staff

Thought for the week:
Successful people are simply those that focus on a strategy of success rather than the fear of failure.”