Heat Acclimation

Being 'heat acclimated' actually worked out well on
my trip to Arizona last winter.

Believe it or not, this is the time of the year that I start to think about the effects of heat acclimation.  This concept plays a part in an individuals ability to withstand training in hot and humid conditions.  It takes about 9-14 days of training in the heat to become acclimated.  In my case, I experience year-round heat acclimation, based on the tropical training conditions that I endure whenever I exercise indoors.

Because I am 'heat acclimated' I experience the following adaptations:
1) I sweat more
2) I sweat sooner (my body's threshold is reduced in anticipation of stress... in fact I am sweating right now)
3) My sweat excretes less electrolytes
4) Decreased heart rate at sub-maximal efforts
5) Expanded blood plasma volume
6) Decrease in core temperature

So, this is all well and good in the middle of summer.  I seem to do best in hot/humid conditions.  Unfortunately, this also makes me a big cold weather wimp.   I used to chalk the whole thing up to having less body fat to insulate myself.  This theory didn't withstand empirical testing, as the guys I was training/racing with had similar body compositions.

I did notice, however, that my sweat puddles were always twice as deep as those I was training with.  Hmm, this must be it... It couldn't be my pain tolerance, because I thrive on painful situations... yes, heat acclimation is my excuse.  My body is very efficient at cooling itself, which doesn't do me any favors in cold weather.

So, I have to tolerate the first few races of the season, as I don't look forward to any race that involves 'layering'...   I always over dress, and my clothes are water logged by the end of the race... this really messes up my power-to-weight ratio.  Once the arm warmers come off, though... it is go time...  I am motivated and ready to do battle.

Luckily, a couple of the early season races on my calendar are many miles due south of Muscatine... this is no coincidence... I mostly suck in cold-weather races, so try to limit my exposure, accept for the sake of training.

Ok, I understand that I may want to consider acclimating to cold weather, by riding outside as much as possible...  hmm, makes sense, but I don't mind taking a few months off from outdoor training, and winters seem like the best time to do that. 

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Do you or a loved one suffer the devastating effects of HEAT ACCLIMATION?  The warning signs include ride discrimination, verbal abuse, hazing, excessive snot, frozen toes, and deflated self-esteem during the month of March.  You are not alone...  help is available.  Visit www.coldweathertrainingsucks.com for more information.

Speaking of cold weather, I am stoked to be entering the Iowa Spring Classic Series March 10th.  This is a cool race series that gives Iowa racers an opportunity to battle it out, while testing their early season fitness.  See ya!