Imminent Heat Preparation..And Some Rambling

It's just April, but Reuters warns soon-to-be summer exercisers of the danger of heat.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As summer approaches, people who exercise or play sports outdoors can reduce the risk of heat stroke by giving themselves a chance to adjust to rising temperatures and humidity, according to a sports medicine expert.

"When it gets hot and humid, you see the risk go up," said Dr. William O. Roberts, who is the president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

When people who are not accustomed to hot and humid weather exercise outdoors, they run the risk of developing exertional heat stroke, Roberts said in an interview with Reuters Health.

Exertional heat stroke differs from traditional heat stroke, which occurs when a person is exposed to extremely high temperatures, such as during a summer heat wave. Victims of traditional heat stroke are often elderly people who do not have air conditioning.

I read this as "fill the Hydrapack (holds 2 liters) full of water once an hour or so." I had problems with heat on a metric century last year (no wind, riding up on a levee, almost outta water). 95+ degrees. I don't recommend that. This year I'll have an extra bottle cage for more warm previously frozen Gatorade. That levee won't get me this year. I like the cycling drinking game - if someone in your little peloton takes a drink, so do you. Whaddya think of that one, Blackfive?

An article like this is a bit humorous so early. Today was gorgeous - about 76, 12 mph wind (so I felt it). Did my little 14 mile jaunt after work. Slower today because of the wind and tired legs (yesterday was leg day at the gym, and I blasted them. What's that mean, you say? Figure 5 sets on an incline sled working from 160 up to 200 pounds. Figure another five on a sled that targets your hamstrings and rear - worked up to 270 on that. Then inner and outer thigh work, targeted quads (leg extension - 3 sets, 6 reps at 95 (this after all of that), 8 reps at 85, and 8 reps at 75, targeted hamstrings (65, 75, and 80, I believe) and seated calf (worked up to 110 pounds plus body weight). So, yeah, they were tired. Downright weary now.

In other news, I will be entering the IMAO t-shirt contest. Too many of the judges nudged. I'm having problems choosing a picture (have a few from Florida and will probably take a few this weekend to have a wider variety from which to choose). Is the "not safe for work" (as deemed by the Bonfire) one too improper? It's not an especially good picture of my face, and it's not like legs are gonna win me a t-shirt contest.

So many difficult decisions. So much pressure. So much potential promise. So much melodrama.

hln

Posted by hln at April 21, 2004 08:17 PM | Health | TrackBack