I just completed a very hard Century this past weekend. It has over 7500 ft. of climbing and the temperature was 95-100 degrees most of the day. This was my fourth Century this year and it seems I learn something from each one that makes the next one better for me. I have two issues I'm trying to figure out that maybe someone can give me their opinion or experience on:
1. Every Century this year I've developed a headache at about the 50-60 mile mark. I know, I know.... everyone is saying "simple- it is a dehydration headache." It is not dehydration! I've calculated my hourly water loss and I'm confident it is NOT dehydration. It think I have my nutrition nailed down after tons of trial and error. I'm not bonking at all during the ride. Feel VERY strong both muscularly and aerobically. I think it might be two things. Either the sun bother my eyes even through my sunglasses I might be squinting my eyes which over several hours causing a tension headache. Or, simply the HEAT! It seems that at the Rest Stops when I've gone into air conditioning the headache gets better. All my rides have been in 90 degree+ heat and maybe my body just reacts that way to prolonged heat? Any input? Also, should I take headache medicine when it comes on or is that bad during the ride?
2. On this past Saturday's Century the temperature was 95-100 degrees and the air was humid and thick. The SAG guy I talked to said people were abandoning all over the course and they had tons of medical issues to deal with. As I said above I felt really strong all the way through the finish. However, this was a first time experience, I had a hard time taking a full breath? It was if the air was so thick I couldn't get it all into my lungs. I had to take small breaths. I'm certainly not asthmatic or EVER had any trouble with breathing at all. I don't even suffer from allergies. Is this just something that happens when you try to exercise for long periods of time in such dramatic temperatures? Anyone experience this? Is it normal?
I appreciate anyone's feedback on these. I'm trying to dial-in these Century Rides and the only thing that seems to help is experience. Thanks!
1. Every Century this year I've developed a headache at about the 50-60 mile mark. I know, I know.... everyone is saying "simple- it is a dehydration headache." It is not dehydration! I've calculated my hourly water loss and I'm confident it is NOT dehydration. It think I have my nutrition nailed down after tons of trial and error. I'm not bonking at all during the ride. Feel VERY strong both muscularly and aerobically. I think it might be two things. Either the sun bother my eyes even through my sunglasses I might be squinting my eyes which over several hours causing a tension headache. Or, simply the HEAT! It seems that at the Rest Stops when I've gone into air conditioning the headache gets better. All my rides have been in 90 degree+ heat and maybe my body just reacts that way to prolonged heat? Any input? Also, should I take headache medicine when it comes on or is that bad during the ride?
2. On this past Saturday's Century the temperature was 95-100 degrees and the air was humid and thick. The SAG guy I talked to said people were abandoning all over the course and they had tons of medical issues to deal with. As I said above I felt really strong all the way through the finish. However, this was a first time experience, I had a hard time taking a full breath? It was if the air was so thick I couldn't get it all into my lungs. I had to take small breaths. I'm certainly not asthmatic or EVER had any trouble with breathing at all. I don't even suffer from allergies. Is this just something that happens when you try to exercise for long periods of time in such dramatic temperatures? Anyone experience this? Is it normal?
I appreciate anyone's feedback on these. I'm trying to dial-in these Century Rides and the only thing that seems to help is experience. Thanks!