The countdown to the Tour Das Hugel has began, the ride is this Saturday. Last Saturday I did a couple laps on the Volente Loop, plus I threw in 3 climbing repeats up the Twin Creeks hill. In total it was 3700 feet of climbing, a pretty good tune up. On Sunday I was going to for an easy ride, but it turned out to be a little more energy intensive than what I had wanted to do. The ride down 620 turned out to be harder than I was expecting to ride due to the wind. None the less it was a good ride.
Everything seemed to be coming together, legs feel great, however, this morning I woke up with a head cold. As the day progressed the aches and pains started to settle in and it seemed to be turning into the flu. I was planning on taking this week somewhat easy anyway so I should be good. I can concentrate on recovering from all the training along with water loading.
If you're not familiar with water loading, it is mainly making sure that I'm not dehydrated before I even start on Saturday. An interesting "Did you know?" is that most people are dehydrated and don't even realize it. When we are in a chronic state of dehydration our bodies try to compensate. I try to drink enough during the day normally, but this week I'll make sure to drink appropriately. Just so you know you can't just drink a gallon or two the day of your race or event, like everything it will take a few days or weeks for your body to react.
Starting tomorrow I'll start the loading process with Hammer Race Day Boost. I had great success with Race Day Boost coupled with Hammer Anti Fatigue Caps when I did the Outlaw Trail 100. Race Day Boost has antioxidants and glutamine which will hopefully help in my fight with the flu. According to Steve Born at Hammer Nutrition, "One of the benefits of glutamine is that it helps support optimal immune system function, which is highly desirable during your taper, a time when many an athlete finds themselves getting sick."
On another note, I got word from Tyler that my Orbea Orca is ready and Orbea should be shipping it out tomorrow. I doubt I'll get it in time for Hugel, but even if I do I probably won't ride it. I don't want to be introducing new variables at the last minute, I know all the nuances of the old bike. Like I said I'll be surprised if it gets here in time anyway.
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