I overheard some ladies talking yesterday and instructing their kids not to get in the ocean. Here are two of their reasons: 1) they just had lunch and lady said you'll get cramps, you can't swim for an hour, and 2) your face will turn to scales while food is in your stomach.
Later, a young woman was advising me on my newest problem, leg cramps, and she told me it was impossible for me to get leg cramps because I wasn't sprinting. She said that leg cramping is caused from dehydration and only a person who sprints will get dehydrated; not distance people, so she suggested I see a doctor.
We all know these are pretty ridiculous, have you overheard anyone advising others about "their myths?" The people making these comments were from England.
Parents
Former Member
Carbo loading is a myth?!? I did not know that - I still carbo load before meets. Is that bad?
I know about this one. A couple of problems about carbo loading before a meet are: 1) if a person doesn't carbo load or eat a lot of carbs on a regular basis, the body will not appreciate the change so close to a race and 2) carbo loading should be used for long durations of exercise and usually during a meet, even though racing will be of a higher intensity, you aren't truly swimming very far compared to workouts. The hydration drinks are more important than carbo loading before a swim meet. No eating/drinking changes before a race is the way to go but bananas have been shown to be a great plus.
Of course with open water swims, it will be very helpful.
Carbo loading is a myth?!? I did not know that - I still carbo load before meets. Is that bad?
I know about this one. A couple of problems about carbo loading before a meet are: 1) if a person doesn't carbo load or eat a lot of carbs on a regular basis, the body will not appreciate the change so close to a race and 2) carbo loading should be used for long durations of exercise and usually during a meet, even though racing will be of a higher intensity, you aren't truly swimming very far compared to workouts. The hydration drinks are more important than carbo loading before a swim meet. No eating/drinking changes before a race is the way to go but bananas have been shown to be a great plus.
Of course with open water swims, it will be very helpful.
