i’m getting to this way too late, i know, but i’m coming from the midwest to race IMFL 70.3 on sunday. we have had a very nice spring but alas no hot weather to train and acclimate to the rigors of racing in FL in May. i’m not about to try to set up a trainer in the sauna 6 days out from the race but was considering reading a magazine while sitting in the sauna with a couple water bottles if anyone thinks that will help.
I’ll be down there as well(coming from Philly area) and have been keeping a few extra layers and in one case a winter hat on to get used to it… Last year was in for a big shock when I got down there as it was a lot more humid than the Northeast.
Im no specialist in the area by anymeans but I would get into a sauna for a bit to get used to some heat… It may even work like going from the hot tub right into a pool and make it feel cooler than it is… but thats a long shot.
Just pray that if it starts raining it does not stop… because when it stops the sun comes out… and they might as well relocate the race to a convection oven. (it happened last year)
If you typically acclimate to the hot summer weather relatively quickly each year then you might be able to give yourself a distinct advantage with only one or two hot workouts before you go.
It’s pretty easy to do. just bundle up with full body cold weather gear and ride your trainer for an hour. Then do the same running indoors.
At least for me, the first time I suffer in heat each year I am noticeably better the second time.
Lou-first off, watch the weather carefully and don’t be afraid to back way off during the race to prevent significant heat related illness. You would benefit from a quick listen to Tri-talk.com where Coach David Warden did a nice piece on warm weather acclimatization. The meat of the coconut was an hour a day for ten days in the heat and then the benefits, increased sweating, lower electrolyte loss in the fluid you do sweat, cooler skin temp and more blood away from the skin to achieve a better performance.
Tom Warren won Hawaii IM #2 in 1979 by training in a sauna. You need to do your best over the next several days to at least try …but use your head. Good luck.
It is going to be >100 for that race. Not sure any amount of heat tolerance can do well in that. Just don’t let yourself get hot because it’s all over at that point.
Lou - there will be many others in the same boat…I hate the heat of FL 70.3 and am not in a hurry to go back down there again.
in that heat you have to modify your goals unless you thrive well in the heat…even with acclimation i was never great in the heat…still, there are some things you can do to race smart and reduce the suckfest…
- grab an extra bottle at water stops on the bike and run and pour cold water over your head…
- wear a cool mesh hat and put ice in the hat during the run at aid stations to keep your head temps down
- put ice in your singlet and in your shorts to keep your core temps down
- use body glide or body shield to cut down on chafing
- bring endurolytes or salt tabs on the run to keep sodium levels balanced (but don’t overdo it)
- have fun
Best of luck…buddy
And if I may add: Be carefull with the food intake if you normally eat solids on long events. Once the heat sets in you are more susceptible to your system rebelling if its not used to this sort of thing.
Good luck. I’ll be suffering with you and a couple thousand others.