Sock it to poverty not hydration
12/07/2006
Sporting celebrities encourage thousands of ‘Milers’ to keep hydrated while socking it to poverty.
On Saturday, 15 July, Jonathan Weaver, who was born in Sunderland and is captain of Newcastle Vipers ice hockey team and Fabulous Flournoy, head coach of Newcastle Eagles basketball team, will be part of the Northumbrian Water team taking part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile.
Dale Benkenstein, captain of Durham Country Cricket Club, who wanted to run the Mile but is playing in a four-day game against Yorkshire on Saturday, also encourages ‘Milers’ to keep drinking while they walk or run.
Northumbrian Water is the official water sponsor of the NewcastleGateshead Quayside event, which will raise money and make a huge difference to the lives of under privileged people at home and abroad.
Keeping hydrated is essential as part of a healthy lifestyle and even more so while doing exercise. Northumbrian Water will be giving out free bottled tap water, branded ‘97’, to the registered 3800 ‘Milers’ to ensure their water levels are topped up. The brand name ’97’ reflects the number of tests tap water goes through before reaching customers’ taps. The official sports relief bottled water being distributed to the Quayside ‘Milers’ has also been bottled locally.
Jonathan Weaver, who is 29 and has been playing ice hockey since he was four, said: “It is very important that all the ‘Milers’ keep hydrated on Saturday. I drink at least two pints of tap water every day.
“My philosophy to sport and playing ice hockey is work hard, keep hydrated, practice hard and persevere. Good luck to everyone who takes part in the Sainsbury Sport Relief Mile – see you there!”
Fabulous Flournoy, who drinks at least one litre of water 20 to 30 minutes before each basket ball game, says hydration is a way of life for him: “Keeping hydrated is very important when doing exercise. Drinking enough tap water keeps you at your peak performance – I try to drink ten pints of tap water every day.
“If I don’t drink enough water while playing I notice a considerable drop in my performance – I get shortness of breath, fatigue quicker and I get cramp in my legs. I strongly urge everyone who takes part in Saturday’s Mile to drink lots of water and to have lots of fun!”
Dale, who is 31 and was born in Zimbabwe, says: “On Saturday the weather forecast is hot – more reason to keep drinking lots of water. I grew up in a very hot climate and know how quickly your body can dehydrate. Good luck to all who take part in the Sainsbury Sport Relief Mile.”
HYDRATION TIPS FROM THE NORTHUMBRIAN WATER MILE TEAM
0 On Saturday aim to drink at least two litres of tap water – eight glasses – more if you can!
0 Just a 2% loss of body water can result in a 10% drop in physical and mental performance.
0 Start by drinking a glass of fresh tap water when you get up in the morning.
0 Drink two glasses of tap water around half an hour before the Mile begins.
0 While doing the Mile, drink at 10 to 15-minute intervals or think of it as a full glass every 30 minutes.
0 If you are planning to run the Mile consider reducing speed or even stopping to drink – the overall benefits of the improved hydration will more than outweigh the time lost.
0 After completing the Mile – pat yourself on the back! and replace fluid slowly.
0 On a cool day our bodies loose up to two litres of water - on Saturday you will lose more because it is going to be hot and you will be doing exercise.
0 Keep a check on your urine. As a general guide to hydration, it should be plentiful, pale in colour and odourless.
0 Enjoy a relaxing, hot tap water shower after doing the Mile and helping to changes peoples’ lives for the better!
For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720 or Joanne Dye on 0191 301 6733.