Trip-Tips

I am receiving so many great questions! Thank you. I have recently improved my site so that I can more quickly post answers here so please keep sending them via email.

To drink or not to drink??

[update: May 23, 2007]

Hi Desiree!

I was wondering if you drink alcoholic beverages during the training/racing season? I don’t drink because I’m worried that it will hurt my training (empty calories), but I see excellent amature triathletes in my local triathlon club drinking at parties, so maybe it’s fine. What is your experience with drinking during the racing season? Do you find that elite triathletes drink before/after races or serious training?

Thanks, Melanie

Hi Melanie,

Great question…everything in moderation is my motto…I like to drink white or red wine..a glass a few times a week. In fact, I drank a glass the night before my marathon this year. Again, a glass is much different from a bottle, I do think it is good to let loose and have a good time a few times a year, after a big race or in the off season is a good time to do that. However, rehydrating after a race is the most important thing to remember, make sure you are doing this as well while you are out having a good time.

During heavy training periods I do find that alcohol does slow recovery and is dehydrating, so save the drink for an easy day or for your off day when you don’t have to worry about those things. A drink is more of a treat, a little bit won’t hurt you but a lot will…

Enjoy and best of luck! Desiree

SPF

[update: May 21, 2007]

Hi Desiree!

Your website is a wonderful resource and inspiration to those in the world of triathlon! I have a question that may seem basic, but I have yet to master it. I am training for my first Ironman after doing 5 years of olympic & 1/2 IM’s. I am very excited, but struggle with sunny days and long training sessions on the bike and full days of racing. I have yet to find a SPF that will stay with me, and prevent me from burning due to how much athletes perspire.. Is their anything specific you recommend or use when racing in hot sunny places like IM Hawaii…Arizona?

Thanks much for any advice!

Trace

This is still a struggle for me as well. I have found that heavy cream sunscreens really block the sweat and have felt horrible because of my inability to cool- aka known as the “sunscreen sweater”. I have found that Kineysis works really well, I actually put little bottles in my transition bags in Hawaii this year. That is my favorite one so far. Have you tried it? Try it and see…stay away from the heavy creams, they will ruin your ability to cool off. I also carry a small tube of Skin Ceuticals Sport in my bike bag that I reapply to my face on long rides. This one is creamier but still not overly so. As far as my face goes…it’s whatever works. I dont want to look fifty by the time I’m forty- I’m sure you don’t either! Whatever you do, make sure you find one that works and use it well…skin melanoma is not a fun experience- tan is OUT!

Good luck! Hope this helps, Desiree

Bike/run or Run/bike?

[update: March 20, 2007]

Is it better to do your long run on Saturday and long bike on Sunday or vice versa?

-Jimmy

I recommend doing your long run the day after your long bike. This way, you will be running on tired legs and will gain more strength from the run. Give yourself a good twenty minutes to loosen up on your run, gradually picking up the pace.