In training and racing, drink before you get thirsty

During an hour of running training, the fluid loss can be up to one and a half liters. Proper drinking is also an important building block for success in competition.

When thirst comes, it’s too late: that’s the common denominator of the experts. Especially when the temperatures are often not sweaty in the passing winter and coming spring, people forget to drink, which increases the risk of dehydration. At the 21st Linz Donau Marathon, marathon sponsor Peeroton is also providing various gels in addition to the iso-drinks with different flavors at the refreshment stations.

Water is often enough for normal exertion, but isotonic drinks are recommended for longer units and also in competitions. These are absorbed in the body at maximum speed and compensate for fluid and electrolyte losses. “The dehydration caused by fluid loss not only affects performance, but also affects general health. First, the body tries to compensate for water loss by removing fluid from the blood and tissues. This causes the blood to thicken the heart has to work harder to pump it through the body,” says Robert Fritz, sports medicine physician and consultant at Peeroton.

While you could drink a whole bucket after a run in the heat, you often don’t feel thirsty after a long run in cold, wet conditions. However, it is a dangerous misconception that the body does not need to be hydrated. Even in colder temperatures, the fluid balance has to be adequately regulated again and again. And: Even if you don’t sweat as much when it’s cold, the body needs even more energy to maintain body temperature. You lose at least as much liquid as with heat. “So make sure that you drink just as much liquid after a cold run as you do with a hot one,” advises Andreas Trippl, Managing Director of the leading sports nutrition provider on the Austrian market.

Sustainable production method

The Starzinger drinks group, which will again supply the starting field with Frankenmarkter mineral water, will also make a liquid contribution to ensuring that the runners in Linz fill up with “Super” instead of “Normal”. “As Upper Austria’s only mineral water, it is important to us to be a partner of the Linz marathon,” says August Starzinger. The company is also in the fast lane when it comes to sustainability. Starzinger set up a state-of-the-art PET plant in 2017, operates its own hydroelectric power plant, which already covers 45 percent of its energy requirements with a PV system, and is also converting its company cars to electric operation.

Children’s race fully booked

Fully booked: “We have reached our contingent and can therefore no longer accept registrations”, the LIVA marathon office announced this week with regard to the ÖGK junior marathon. On April 15, 1,200 children are at the start of the competition, which is traditionally one of the most popular and emotional at Upper Austria’s big running festival.

Running club: If you want to do long running training in a community and under professional guidance, the running club for the marathon is always the best choice. Tomorrow, Saturday, there will be the next opportunity to do so. Meeting point is at 9 a.m. at the fitness oasis at the Parkbad Linz.