HERE'S A COOLING TRICK FOR RACING IN THE TROPICS

Heat disorders can be, potentially, dangerous. I recall I experienced my one and only brush with heat disorder in my first biathlon in 2003. I did not drink, I was dehydrated, over-heated, disorientated, and really in trouble. I was so 'out of it' that I ran past the end-point and towards the sea! Thanks to alert first-responders, I cooled down and recovered. I swore that it would never occur again, if I could help it.
Lessons learnt from racing triathlons since that fateful day include:
1) Put ice-cubes/chips under your cap: It lowers your body temperature.
2) Put a handful of ice cubs under your racing-vest, nearest to your heart. The chances of skin-burn is low as you will be generating lots of body-heat: Fastest way to lower the heart-rate (HR) and race within your prescribed HR zone.
3) When ice is unavailable, douse your head with cold/cool water. Start from the head and let gravity assume the rest.
4) If you have a glove, put ice in it. It helps cool you down, too. We lose large amounts heat from our extremities - thus, encourage the body to displace this heat release. I learnt this from Ultra 520K Canada runner-up Arnaud Selukov.
5) Replace the ice before it completely melts. Downside: the moisture and liquid runs down the legs to your shoes, thus making your feet wet and blister-prone. Use socks with wicking properties.
6) Above all, hydrate: Drink a cup or two of water, or electrolyte-drink at each aid-station.
7) Rinse your head under a public-tap. This helps when you feel yourself burning up, and when no ice-bath is available or within reach. #EVRacingHacks#IronmanEV #IDFast #IDFastSingapore#OnRunningSingapore #OnRunning#RunningOnCloud #runninglabsingapore#IM703Philippines