Thursday, July 27, 2006
Tips Delay... apologies
Tip#5: Going for 'Number 1' on the move
Something we've all got to do on the trail at some point in time... the result of a consistent hydration plan. The following paragraphs describe how overall team speed can be maintained without missing a beat, and without straining one's bladder.
Walking while simultaneously emtying one's bladder rates as one of the best skills a competitive team can yet possess. On the bike, it may be a matter of acquiring enough technical confidence before attempting to relieve oneself while still rolling. On particularly demanding trails, stopping altogether is still best - you can still run or bike up to the rest of the team later once the deed is done.
Etiquette aboard water craft must be worked out beforehand by all members of the team. Usually a sponge does the trick, especially in a double kayak, and this applies to both male and female racers.
Still, the procedure aboard self-draining boats such as sit-on-tops and some inflatables may be subject to some conflict if one team member is particularly adverse to coming into contact with his/her fellow racer's... er... 'unmentionables'. The beauty of paddle sports is that one racer can continue paddling while the other answers the call of nature. In cold conditions, wetting oneself may actually be a welcome relief, provided one's team mates are aware of it, and are not likely to suffer a reduction in paddling performance due to feelings of 'ickiness'...!
Once again, as in almost all AR challenges, communication amongst team mates is key.
Standard operational procedures for 'Number 2' are currently under development and refinement. Stay tuned....
Tip#6: Rehydrated food on the go
This style of consuming much-needed nutrition on the move is classic Steve Gurney. It solves that ubiquitous need that all serious adventure racers have experienced at some point in their careers - enjoying warm, calorie-dense, easily digestible food while going hard out on the course without stopping at all.
1. Allocate dehydrated food (powdered, mashed potato, instant noodles, instant pasta) in suitably-sized Ziploc bags.
2. When in transition or on the trail, pour into the Ziploc the required amount of plain water.
3. Ensure Ziploc is sealed firmly.
4. Shove Ziploc down shorts, bike pants while continuing movement (!). Leave for up to 1/2 an hour or until contents are ready for consumption.
5. Remove Ziploc, open, and consume contents while still warm. Alternatively, bite a small hole in bottom of Ziploc and suck out contents.
Something we've all got to do on the trail at some point in time... the result of a consistent hydration plan. The following paragraphs describe how overall team speed can be maintained without missing a beat, and without straining one's bladder.
Walking while simultaneously emtying one's bladder rates as one of the best skills a competitive team can yet possess. On the bike, it may be a matter of acquiring enough technical confidence before attempting to relieve oneself while still rolling. On particularly demanding trails, stopping altogether is still best - you can still run or bike up to the rest of the team later once the deed is done.
Etiquette aboard water craft must be worked out beforehand by all members of the team. Usually a sponge does the trick, especially in a double kayak, and this applies to both male and female racers.
Still, the procedure aboard self-draining boats such as sit-on-tops and some inflatables may be subject to some conflict if one team member is particularly adverse to coming into contact with his/her fellow racer's... er... 'unmentionables'. The beauty of paddle sports is that one racer can continue paddling while the other answers the call of nature. In cold conditions, wetting oneself may actually be a welcome relief, provided one's team mates are aware of it, and are not likely to suffer a reduction in paddling performance due to feelings of 'ickiness'...!
Once again, as in almost all AR challenges, communication amongst team mates is key.
Standard operational procedures for 'Number 2' are currently under development and refinement. Stay tuned....
Tip#6: Rehydrated food on the go
This style of consuming much-needed nutrition on the move is classic Steve Gurney. It solves that ubiquitous need that all serious adventure racers have experienced at some point in their careers - enjoying warm, calorie-dense, easily digestible food while going hard out on the course without stopping at all.
1. Allocate dehydrated food (powdered, mashed potato, instant noodles, instant pasta) in suitably-sized Ziploc bags.
2. When in transition or on the trail, pour into the Ziploc the required amount of plain water.
3. Ensure Ziploc is sealed firmly.
4. Shove Ziploc down shorts, bike pants while continuing movement (!). Leave for up to 1/2 an hour or until contents are ready for consumption.
5. Remove Ziploc, open, and consume contents while still warm. Alternatively, bite a small hole in bottom of Ziploc and suck out contents.
