Get hydrated! (and stay hydrated...)

Ever been in the middle of a run during a hot part of the day, and suddenly you get a little dizzy, slightly disoriented, and you’re counting your strides until the next drinking fountain? You, my friend, are showing signs of dehydration. It’s a scary proposition, and one that can turn dangerous very quickly. Fortunately, it’s also quite preventable.

Nathan is a company that provides all sorts of helpful gear for runners and fitness go-getters (probably much like yourself…). Recently, Sablle Scheppmann, West Coast Tech Rep for Nathan, visited the Fleet Feet Chico store, and she took a moment to talk to me about proper hydration, signs you’re dehydrated and what you can do if and when you become dehydrated.

What are the benefits of proper hydration?

Seventy percent of your body is water, so the benefits include just staying healthy. Hydration is the leading cause of injuries in runners and professional athletes. If you’re not hydrated, you’re not getting the nutrients to the muscles, and you can pull muscles. Everything works better on a properly hydrated runner.

What are some signs a runner is dehydrated?

Dizziness, fatigue, getting tired a lot quicker, headaches. When you’re really getting dehydrated, most people pass out, and a lot of people will throw up.

Once you’re dehydrated, what steps can you take to rehydrate?

Continue to drink more water. The closer to room temperature the water is, the easier it gets into your system and out. Not too hot, not freezing cold. So, keep drinking water, take electrolytes and even lay down.

How can you make sure you’re properly hydrated prior to a run, bike ride or other exercise?

No matter what you’re doing during the day, always have a water bottle with you, so you can hydrate before. A lot of people sitting at their computer at their job don’t think to have a water bottle with them. You need to put water into your lifestyle and find your own balance.

Can you expand on that, finding your own balance?

Every person and every runner is different, so everybody needs to find his or her own balance. Our campaign right now is, “What’s your hydration plan?” If you ask someone that, usually they’ll say they don’t have one, or they don’t know. We believe that you should have one pre, during and post workout.

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Running in Chico during the summer is no joke. Please take care to hydrate before during and after your run (or other forms of outside exercise), and you’ll have a happier, healthier and better functioning body.