Thanks Michelle. A triathlete might be the right person to ask :-)
Over Nov/Dec I did what is for me, a hard training regime which brought to light some deficiencies. I suffered from chronic fatigue after walking with a back pack of only 4-11kg, 20km every second day for three weeks in high heat of 35-40C. It would take about 4 hours and involved an altitude climb of 500m. My recovery time was appalling. After each four hour walk I was chronically fatigued. Towards the last part of the third week I fell asleep for most of the rest day. The heat would have had a lot to do with that, I think. My recovery each time was slow and got worse, not better. It took weeks, longer than a month, afterwards to feel normal again. I was drowsy and tired all the time.
I am now trying supplements from Hammer Nutrition but hard training (for me) was interrupted for Feb and Jan due to work commitments. The electrolytes and Recoverite seem to be doing a good job on my weekend training, but it is the day after day endurance thing that drains me. This month I can start the longer training walks again, but I suspect the heat has a lot to play in the fatigue as
well as the endurance. I will take some Hammer products with me as I do feel they help, but this is a very expensive product so cannot take the full recommended amount for 3 months.
I tend to lose weight quickly when I train, and I don't have that much to lose. A drop of 4kgs and my friends and family worry that I am skinny. During that hard 3 week training period I was only drinking water, no food or supplements. I did consume a milk and eggs protein shake after most walks. I have since added electrolytes during my weekend walks and doubled my daily carb intake at meal times. I will be adding perpeteum to the training walk. I avoided this so far as it was thought that I did not burn enough calories in walking to warrant an increase in calories, but the weight loss makes me rethink this. My diet, I would say, is generally a healthy balance with no real vices other than a need to cut down on sugar.
Can you suggest healthy long life food that I can add to my stores for the Canning Walk? Food that will power my body, reducing the fatigue. Dried fruit and nuts are a staple. Polenta/maize, rice and tinned fish, another. I am wheat intolerant so only eat small amounts.
Thanks for an interesting article.
Gaynor