Preparing for a Race

Last year was crazy! Five races around the world, in the most extreme conditions. Four were ultra adventure running races, and one the toughest mountain bike race in the world. I'm always asked two main questions: "How do you train?" and "What the heck do you eat?!".

Short answer is lots and lots! Training for me is a combination of strength, core, flexibility, running and cycling. All of these components are incorporated into my training program, and vary in duration based on my next event.

For the Trans 333 last November (see www.sisu.com or www.ecofitadventures.com for full story), I ran long distances combined with days involving 'hill work'. My longer runs can be up to 5 hours followed the next day by another 5 hours, so recovery is so-o-o important for me.

That leads me to my nutrition. I always eat a balanced diet, rich in vegetables, lower glycemic carbohydrates and of course protein. Complex carbs are very important for me because they fuel me to keep me going. An example is oatmeal-my majic food! Eating the right foods at the right time ensures that I recover well so that I am prepared for the next days training. Immediately following a workout I combine 1 scoop Sisu Body Elite chocolate whey protein with 1/2 cup yogurt (vanilla!), frozen blueberries, 1 tsp. Sisu Prairie Flax. This really seems to help me recover.

During races things change. We are usually self sufficient, and therefore the majority of the calories I consume come from dehydrated food in order to save weight and space. Hydration becomes a serious issue as well. In the Trans 333, I basically ran 333 kms non-stop in the Tenere Desert (central Sahara). It was super duper hot at around 55 degrees celcius, and water check points were 22 kms apart! We would navigate with a gps to each cp.

To ensure I had the proper balance of electrolytes and minerals in my body, I drank SISU's Hydrade the whole time. I have been drinking Hydrade for a long time now, and found it worked really well for me when I was racing 24 hour mountain bike races as well. This past spring I competed in the Marathon Des Sables (243 km running race in Sahara) and brought my Hydrade along. I'm sure it will be with me at my next event as well!!!

Ray Zahab
www.ecofitadventures.com