15
Apr 2012
Why water reigns supreme!
Today many thousands of highly motivated people will take on the oldest annual city marathon in the world – The Boston Marathon. It will not just be a test of will power and determination, it will be a test of the bodies many systems, and how well they function in extreme conditions. Temperature along with hydration, each play an integral role in the function of these bodily systems. With todays weather expecting to hit record highs, the preparation the runners took leading up to the event will ultimately determine they’re failure or success.
While we are on the topic of exercise and hydration, It would only be prudent to talk a little bit about the connection between high intensity exercise – think CrossFit – and hydration. When we exercise, especially at high levels of intensity, being in a hydrated state before you start is essential. The blood in circulation should be thin and smooth flowing to ensure maximal delivery of fresh oxygen to working muscles and ensure proper disposal of waste products back to the lungs. Not being properly hydrated first hand or becoming dehydrated is where the problems arise. As we begin to sweat, we start to lose the water that has been keeping us in our hydrated state. As a result of this loss of water, the blood becomes more viscous – think tooth paste. As this happens, and a sustained effort of work is underway, the muscles become denied the once steady flow of fresh oxygenated blood and have a hard time carrying away waste build up – think Co2. Now the heart starts to beat harder (higher heart beat) and blood pressure starts to rise. As a result of this stressful condition, your ratings of perceived exertion (how hard the work that you’r e doing feels to you) start to rise. This produces a scenario that your body does not like to be in. What to do now?
Water is single handedly the best choice for hydration. Reason being, it makes it through the gastric emptying cycle faster than any other fluid. Even the smallest amount of sugar added to your beverage – think gatorade – and this cycle almost quadruples in time. When you become dehydrated, 9 times out of ten you are lacking water, not electrolytes. So drinking plain water would be the most advantageous thing do drink to ensure the quickest way of hydrating/rehydrating. Keep this stuff in mind each and every time you work out, especially in a high heat, high humid condition where sweating occurs the quickest.
Dont be a heat casualty – Stay HYDRATED !!!
Lets all keep Caitlin in our thoughts today as she embarks on yet another grueling test of the human body!
April 16, 2012 WOD
Strength/Skill:
Front squat 5-3-3-2-1
Conditioning:
In 2 minutes, complete as many wall ball throws as you can 20/14#.
Rest 60 secs, followe by:
In 2 minutes, complete as many pull ups as you can.
Notes: use a band if necessary.
Rest 60 secs, followed by:
In 2 minutes, complete as many sit ups as you can.
Rest 60 secs, followed by:
In 2 minutes, complete as many air squats as you can.
Post total reps (score) to comments. Note band color if used and weight of wall ball.
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