Hydration

[McLeod]

Does anyone have ballpark tables for how much water you should consume to stay on top of the curve while racing. Vegas to Reno is perdicted to be much hotter this year than last and you can never catch up when hydration gets low. We know the regiment leading up to the start but curious about the intake during the race?

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[Waldo]

We know the regiment leading up to the start but curious about the intake during the race?

^^^^^^The most important step in staying hydrated during the race ^^^^^^

It sounds crazy but I would drink some pickle juice about hour before the race starts! Then, sip your sippy during the race, refill your water at pits & I would suggest eating energy gels for carbs/electrolytes to keep you going throughout the day. They work incredibly well & absorb quickly into your system.

It's hot as hell out there so the "Pre-Race Hydration" is gonna be the HUGE factor in everyone's physicality during the race out there... I mean everyone involved w/teams or not... keep plenty of H20 handy!

[Bryan J]

start drinking a liter of water a day. from now until race day and do what he said ^

[CMA GUMBY]

It was mentioned in another thread. Get some Pedialite(sp). Not just for babies anymore.

[tapeworm]

It all depends on how long you plan on being in the car.

What you could do is when you get up in the morning drink water until you are no longer thirsty and weigh yourself. This will be your hydrated weight.

Then go and perform a task that will resemble racing conditions as much as possible for 1 hour with no water or food and weigh yourself again. This will be your post exertion weight.

Now subtract post exertion weight from your hydrated weight and you will know how much water your body burned off for 1 hour. Now multiply that times number of hours you plan on being in the car and you know how much water you should drink while in the car.

Also to get the most accurate measurement you should not be wearing clothes when you weigh yourself. Don't weigh yourself naked at your local gym though. They frown upon it.

Last thing, DO NOT change up your routine for race day. Repeat everything as normal. Your body is used to functioning a certain way, don't try to confuse it the day of the race.

[ACID_RAIN28]

Our trucks typically have 2.5 -3.5 gal of water in the stainless drinker tanks if anyone is interested I can sell them as a kit any shape or size just get your helmet plumbed

[VossMedia]

Prehydrate with Chia

Gradually eating more hydrating foods, and drinking an extra glass or two of water each day over a 3 day period can help to hydrate the body and muscles. But one of my all time favorite foods for prehydration is chia seeds. A staple food of both Native American and Mexican cultures, chia fueled the Aztec warriors as they went to battle. The book Born to Run, written by Christopher McDougall, tells the story of how chia seed, known as ‘the running food,’ could sustain the Tarahumara barefoot runners in Mexico on regular 50-100-mile runs. McDougall compared chia to a ‘smoothie of wild salmon, spinach and human growth hormones.’ In addition to incredible stamina, the Tarahumara also enjoyed longevity and mental health, very likely related to their consumption of chia seed. Naturally high in omega 3s, chia is also covered in a very unique soluble fiber. Unlike the soluble fiber of oats or flax seed, chia’s fiber is hydrophilic – meaning it can absorb approximately
10-12 times of it’s own weight in water*. When chia seeds come in contact with liquid, they soak up the water and turn into a gel. Being hydrophilic means that chia prolongs hydration and retains electrolytes in body fluids which protects against dehydration and promotes endurance and recovery – exactly what an athlete needs! Chia seed might also give an athlete an edge – over time naturally boosting endurance, stamina and energy. Check out this photo gallery of chia seeds. Learn how chia seed can also naturally lower cholesterol.

[Moneypit]

Instead of drinking pickle juice, eating seeds or weighing yourself naked, go to a nutrition store or bike shop and get a supplement called 'Heed' its made by Hammer Nutriion and add it your water, they also have a product called 'Perpetum' also by Hammer, the first is for hydration with tons of electrolytes and the second actually has protien for nourishment depending how long your in the car. There are other brands as well, they are available in many favors. These make all the difference, so much more than just water. Also as stated drink more water than normal at least 3 days shed of time. Also if you know a paramedic or nurse that could give you an IV before the race would also help a ton

[A Vance]

Minimum of 8 ounces per hour and drink water not sports drinks. Hydrate like crazy the week prior to and no alcohol or caffeine

[560bajamike]

Some great info here, thanks.

Mike