----- Original Message -----
I suffered heat exhaustion on my first Tevis (88)
and vowed never to be the weak link again! Here are some things that
have helped me (recommended by a friend, Jeff Herten, MD, endurance rider
& ultra-marathon runner):
*I was fortunate to run into Jeff Herten at the
Euer Valley Ride and Tie last wekeend. He was riding drag, and my
daugther and I were the "end" of the short course ride and tie. He made
a point of advising me to start the habit of drinking gatorade as well as
plain water....said you could have seisures if you don't electrolyte
yourself....and that someome at the XP had collapsed for this reason.
-Take electrolytes!
Gatorade was not enough for me. I mix the electrolytes with applesauce
and take a teaspoon-full at most every check. Keeps me drinking water,
and I don't have headaches or feel like throwing up after the ride as I did
before. I couldn't believe what a difference this
made
*The aid station was out of gatorade when my
daughter and I got there....but we did carry GU with us. I will check to
see if that includes any electrolytes with the sugars. I also didn't
feel, given the length of the course, the temps., and the time we were out
there, that we were really at risk; but those that did the 35 mile Ride and
Tie sure got a good workout!
Karen