Staying Amped While You Ride

You don’t need aching muscles to tell you that skiing/boarding is hard work. The incredible appetite you have when you get back to the lodge is enough evidence.

Giving your body all the fuel it needs to perform properly is just as important as having the right boots and bindings. Here are a few ideas on how to do it.

Basically, your body has about two hours worth of glycogen (what your muscles use for fuel) floating around at any given time. So, if you’re on the hill any longer than that, you need to get some calories in or you’ll start to run out of energy. Tucking a couple of energy bars into your jacket before you set out can give you the juice needed to keep going ‘til the sun goes down (and beyond).

Tiredness can also be a sign of dehydration. Drink frequently, before you start to feel thirsty (another sign of dehydration), to ward it off. Go for energy drinks instead of water as they add back some of the electrolytes and minerals you’re losing as you sweat.

If you’re planning to ride super hard, try diluting energy drinks by half with water. In their full strength, some can be too potent or sugary and upset your stomach.

And if you’re competing or taking on an extra-intense/long ride, consider energy gels. They’re faster and easier to get down (chewing a bar can hamper breathing), and your body can process the ingredients faster.

When you’re finally done riding, try and eat within an hour. This allows muscles to absorb the most nutrients and your body to replace glycogen levels. You’ll recover fast and likely hurt less the next day.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 11:02 am and is filed under Keeping Fit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.