Self Sufficiency - The new Normal in Racing - How can Sported products help?
If you are like me you are eagerly awaiting the return of competitive mass participation events. There is nothing like the buzz of race morning and the lung busting effort required to chase down one of your competitors. We understand that tentative plans are being made to put races back on the scene in 4Q and if you would like to see what has been scheduled then have a look at our race calendar on www.sported.ae
However, events in the near future will be very different to the pre-Covid period. Social distancing requirements will likely limit the size of events and how race organizers are allowed to run them. From a participant perspective you can expect to receive all event and health and safety information on-line prior to the event, with limited “race briefing” on the day. It is fundamentally your responsibility as an athlete to ensure that you are fully familiar with the swim, bike and run courses, details of bag pick-up and of course the rules.
Limited Aid Stations
You will need to be more self sufficient and that will start with having your own face mask and bringing hand sanitizer to the event. There may well be no or limited aid stations on the course which means that participants are going to have to carry their own nutrition and hydration on both the bike and the run course. If the event contains a 2-3 hour cycle and a two hour run that is going to require some thought to be put into nutrition and hydration strategies.
Lets deal with the how - carry your own hydration and Nutrition
One useful product we have been able to source is the Naked Running Vest, which can be worn under a wet suit, or pulled on in either T1 or T2. It is light, weighing only 90-100g and can carry up to 2 liters of fluid in the front and back pockets and gels/ bars in the side and front pockets. It is pulled on over the head and comes in 12 sizes and is easy to wash.
For the shorter runs, or used in addition to the vest we have the Naked Running Band again coming in twelve sizes to ensure a snug fit and contains three pockets, all big enough for a 500ml Hydrapak soft flask, with ample space to carry gels and bars. It can be pulled on quickly in T1 or T2 and has locks for your race number. For the ladies in short races there is the Naked Running Spra a supremely light weight running top with a back pocket for carrying up to 2 x 500ml flasks.
So what to carry in your vest or band?
Given that weight will be a factor we recommend that athletes take relatively high dense carbohydrate drinks to get the most amount of energy per mouthful.
These new nutrition and hydration strategies should be practiced before race day so that you don’t lose valuable seconds on the course and know your nutrition is going to work for you.
At the Finish Line
Post event there are unlikely to be any buffet breakfasts so we would recommend you refuel with a protein shake [link to protein shake] taken within 20 minutes post- race and pre prepare your post-race meal for when you get home. Otherwise you may just simply raid the fridge and over indulge on the chocolate or left over pizza!
Self sufficiency will be the new normal - Get Sported