Getting sick during a training cycle is inevitable--it's a part of life. The important thing to embrace is that performance readiness is a result of many weeks and months of layering consistent training. Missing a few days due to sickness within the season is not going to sabatoge your next event. Remember, it takes five days of inactivity before the initial effects of detraining begin to occur. Five days is an important buffer for situations like head colds. While colds can

Hydration is extremely important as our bodies are approximately 60% water. Dehydration occurs when fluid loss (via sweat, urine and through respiration) is greater than fluid intake (via drinking and food). For the unconditioned athlete, just a small amount of dehydration can have a negative impact on athletic performance and may predispose them to heat illnesses. For the conditioned and acclimated athlete, withstanding a reasonable level of dehydration should be standard pr