Hydration

Declan likes to know my mood state in terms of numbers and ratings so that he can plot my mood against different variables such as my hydration or daily training.

My team mates know within 5mins of breakfast or the bike ride of my mood state ! :0

Worn out, annoyed, muddled, tired, sleepy, lively, alert, active, energetic or ‘bushed’. It is a given that I am happily mixed up !

I am not sure about my POMS questionnaire. But what I am sure about is that my hydration level is a very telling factor from yesterday, to today and for tomorrow.

I obviously do not get my hydration monitored all of the time – but when we are together as a team training and have the support available it is a very useful tool.

Some days I pee into that little cup and it glows in the dark . .  dehydrated or am I peeing out excess vitamins ?

Sometimes it is clear – am I really well hydrated or have my kidneys just flushed out that last water bottle and in fact my muscle cells have not absorbed any fluid ?

SINI physiologist Declan Gamble will let me know.

On waking am I lighter than before or have I lost a kilo of water ?

NOOOOO I am really heavy this morning . . . “your well hydrated”

Have I rehydrated enough so that I am able to get the most from the next session ?

Is that poor performance in training due to prior dehydration ?

Is that bad mood and tiredness a result of hydration ??

Declan knows.

To be on the safe side . .  keep er lit by keeping hydrated.