More Things I Learned: Anytime Is Right And Sweat Is Good

To continue with Phil Daoust’s words to the wise from The Guardian article:

The best time to exercise? When you can: If you search “best time to exercise” you will get thousands of results. This article does a good job of the pros and cons of different times of day for exercise. But studies, research, experts, scientists, and hard-bodied know-my-stuff gurus claim to know the exact time of day to work out and no one agrees. Daoust realized that to get it done, he had to find the time when he could, not when the pundits proclaimed the ideal hour. As for the other details, such as whether or not to eat before a workout, that again is a personal decision. I cannot eat before I train. I cannot eat before most short competitions. My digestive system is in nervous rebellion and won’t tolerate a thing.

Then again, I have seen people scarf doughnuts, sandwiches, and raw fruit before an event. The coffee thing is common, too; I am told that caffeine aids in the elimination of body waste, but I have not personally tried it. I would rather compete hungry than sick, so I leave food for post-race or practice. This brings up another Daoust caveat: know your restrooms; where they are located along your route, and whether they are open, clean, and in safe locations. And BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper).

Sweat isn’t shameful: It makes you feel icky, but it’s temporary icky. Not to make light of the fact, but at the current rate of climate change, we will all be sweating somewhere at some point. I live in a place that gets feels-like triple-digit heat in the summer afternoons, from May to October. I still go outside to work out. I don’t have the opportunity to control the weather when I race, so I figure there’s no point in trying to control it when I practice.

Next time: The resistance movement and if it feels good, do it.