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Tip #2 Hiking Health & Fitness
If you are doing the Phoenix Summit Challenging this year, water is going to be your best friend. Not replenishing water & electrolytes during the PSC is #1 mistake made by Challengers. Your muscles need Potassium when undergoing such a strenuous day. Luckily you have rests in the car between trails. BUT, these rests can do a number on your muscles, making them cramp up. Bad. That’s where eating a banana and taking electrolytes comes in.
Your training in the weeks before the Phoenix Summit Challenge should include your “trail diet”. Finding the right balance for YOU is important. If you are not used to this activity, try some things; the foods that fuel you the night before and the day of, electrolyte drink mixes flavored or non-flavored, your best cooling down routine. Once you find something that makes you feel good on the trail, stick to it. That’s YOUR routine. Having plenty of rest and water the night before and a good breakfast the day of, will do wonders for your body.
QUICK TIPS:
- Drink lots of water the day before the Challenge. Lot’s!
- Eat a banana the morning of the Challenge. This will help your stomach retain water, use it better and provide potassium to your muscles. Another half way through isn’t a bad idea either.
- Camel up in the car on the way to the next trailhead. Drink your fill with electrolyte additives.
- Grab shade when you can. If you are on trail feeling a little out of it, grab some shade and rest. You’ll be surprised what 5 minutes rest drinking water with a wet bandana around your neck can do. “Pushing through” is not always the best idea when you have 3 more summits to make today. Pacing yourself and giving your body what it needs will get you through this.
Come by the Arizona Hiking Shack for more tips and a variety of flavored and non-flavored electrolytes mixes widely used by long distance trail runners.
