A few weeks ago, Stanislav sent this to the US Team list, which got no discussion there, but I suspect it will here:
Hi, all,
these are a few words from Anders Martensson about how Swedish orienteers are training for Japan
"The Swedish team had a trainingcamp indoors, where they were running on machine, and the temperature was 35 degree C, and 80% humidity, which it most likely will be in Japan in the beginning of August on WOC, the Swedish coach said that it is a fight to survive on the long race, I think you all can understand that it will be a fight to survive in 95 min running, and 800 m climbing in the mens class! Therefore its important to have training under those circumstances, so that you know what is waiting you.
The map maker for long and relay is Swedish, and he says that the normal temperature in the beginning of August is between 28-34 degress over Celcius, humidity is between 75-90%!
A Swedish Fysiolog said that you loose 2,1 liter per hour in 30 degrees heath when running, and therefore its VERY important to drink much, and begin drinking early in the race, and its very important to wear belt with bottles, without that its no idea to start on the longdistance. You need to drink every 15 min or so, and the organisers drinkingcontrols is not enough.
For acclimatisation in Japan you need 7-10 days in that warm kilmat, to get the body used to the warm climat."
- First of all, the training method seems a little extreme, but perhaps it's important psychologically. I intentionally overdress when training for a potentially hot event... (I even intentionally keep my office at around 80-85 degrees in the summer here in PA, so that going out to run or race (in sometimes even hotter conditions) isn't so bad.)
- Secondly, I can't imagine a top WOC competitor starting a race with a belt of water bottles, as was supposedly suggested above. _Maybe_ a Camelback or something, but even that would surprise me. Do you think top 2005 WOCers will carry their own water? Do you think it'll help?
I know that the Brits are starting to test out running with camel-backs, and starting to test different hydration drinks, not just water. Important to test how it feels to run with extra water, test what kind of liquid feels best (just water, sports drink, etc.), and how much, etc. one can drink without adverse affect on stomach, etc. Is there a chance that the US team might get sponsorship (discount cost) from Camelback, or some similar kind of product? Is Camelback an American company?
You guys should have some more Alabama training camps.
Golite sponsors Eric Bone. They make very light Camelbacks.
I remember Eric posting that he sometimes conmpeted with a Camelbak but I'll certainly admit to a bias against carrying one - it's usually enough to start well hydrated. But I'm in no position to argue with Swedish team personnel who presumably have experience of Japanese conditions. Does anyone know how many water controls Japanese courses typically feature? The IOF rule specifies that water should be available at least every 25 minutes for an orienteer moving at the winner's estimated speed but that's a floor rather than a ceiling - I would have thought a course setter in Japan in summer would set more than the minimum water controls to comply with the rules.
I had a very strong bias against carrying water until moving (part-time) to Houston in August last year. I had never needed it in an Australian summer. I have got over the bias very quickly. Japan sounds exactly like Houston in weather terms. You need to carry fluid unless there are water controls every ten minutes or so (which there may be for a WOC final under these conditions). (It was quite cool in Houston yesterday - 77 degrees and 85% humidity at 6pm, so somebody living here could be easily trained for Japan. Oh, hang on - no hills. I knew something was missing.)
A crude rule of thumb is that humans can sweat up to +/- 2 l/hr, but can only absorb by drinking up +/- 1 l/hr. For every individual there is an effort level where it becomes difficult/impossible to replace what is being lost. In the hot TX heat that threshold decreases.
I would think that for the sprint and middle distance, because of their shorter duration, that a well hydrated person would not need to carry. However, it might be desirable in the long distance.
Incidentally, one of the factors leading to Alberto Salazar's disappearance from elite level running was his ability to push himself severely and to sweat enormous amounts of fluid. One of his last quality races was Falmouth where he collapsed at the finish due to dehydration, after only ~7mi.
I lose a lot of fluid and have resigned myself to carrying a bottle in anything over 65 deg and 60min in duration.
I think that if some one knows they have problems in the heat, or with dehydration, they should certainly consider the idea of carry water with them. I am certain that many people will be carry water with them, but most likely only in the long distance final. The qualifier is really not long enough to carry water with you (maybe some will), and in the middle and sprint it wouldn't be practical.
The team should take into account that the body is able to adjust to heat, and that training in hot conditions before WOC will help and make a difference. I think that the team should in the summer months focus on running in the hottest part of the day at least several times a week. The body adapts its thermoregulatory ability, and the onset of sweat, and amount of sweat pores in the skin adapt to be most efficient in cooling the body.
A major issue will be re-hydration. The team members will have to take an active role in their recovery by using sports drinks to replenish electrolytes. If there are a few athletes racing back to back days, or in the case of the sprint, two races in one day, great care needs to re-hydrate, and recover. This should also certainly be “practiced” before race day.
Even if you take it off before the start, somebody please show up in the pre-start area wearing a
beer hat.