[pct-l] dangers of "cameling up"

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Ernie,
I ran both cross country and track. When I first went out for cross country in the 10th grade I learned something that I have benefited from, and that still stays with me. Early in that first season, before our first race, our coach had picked a hot day to have us run the hilly course - and after finishing we were instructed to gather immediately under the goal posts of the football field. He was adamant that we were NOT to stop at the drinking fountain to get a drink. We were all very thirsty. Our coach had prepared one-quarter slices of the sourest lemons that I have ever tasted. We were to take a big bite and eat it. This caused us to salivate. He told us if we ever had dry mouth during a race we were to think of that experience - how very sour it was. It still works for me - more than a half-century later. I am salivating right now as I write this. I know, this does not re-hydrate you, but it does put liquid in your mouth, which you
 swallow; your mouth and your throat won't be dry.
MendoRider-Hiker
 

________________________________
 From: Ernie Castillo <erniec01 at hotmail.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] dangers of "cameling up"
  

Melanie wrote 
> When I was in High School, I ran the mile and 880 events in Track and
> Field. Our Coach was under the impression that drinking water would make
> us have abdominal spasms and get really sick. She would not allow any of
> us to drink water.


I endured something similar. I grew up in the high desert city of Victorville CA, located in the Mojave desert, and ran cross country. Summer off-season workouts consisted entirely of long distances; in-season fall workouts included long distances balanced by track workouts. Even though we ran in the afternoons and evenings, temperatures were still rather high. We would tank up on water before and after our distance runs, which ranged from 6 to 12 miles with a high of 20. We would never drink to excess and if somebody was feeling "punky" after a workout, there were always the salt tablets. Coach would follow us is his Karman Ghia and if somebody was ailing, he would SAG them back to school. We never felt in danger. 

In addition to the mental toughness, learning to run hours without a water break paid huge dividends on my 1980 PCT trek. 

As with most habits, the balance between dehydration and overhydration is moderation. When you're hiking and you start to feel thirsty, stop and sip -- not chug -- some water. Determine your tolerances during training, not on the PCT. Everybody's tolerances, whether for pain or hydration, is different. 


Ernie Castillo
ErnieC01 at hotmail.com
home: 248 620 5283
cell: 248 884 5201                           
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