NEW RING OF FIRE COURSE!

DUE TO CONTRUCTION ON 473 WE ARE FORCED TO CHANGE THE COURSE FOR YOUR SAFETY. You are responsible for knowing the course and paying attention to all road signage and Red Licorice Events course signs. These signs will be White with Red Lettering. The 110 mile course will first complete the longer 65 mile course then do the 40+ mile course for your complete mileage. All riders passing Luckenbach (Rest Stop F) after 12:00 PM will be directed into the finish line area. Please know that this is for your safety. All participants wishing to complete the 110 mile course must finish under 8 hours. The course will close at 3:30 pm. **Remember that the course is NOT closed to traffic. Please obey all traffic laws and do NOT ride abreast as many areas are narrow roads with little room for additional vehicles including our Medical Staff & SAG team.

Heat Related Illness Information

Heat Related Illness and Hyponatremia.

The Expedition Medical Team witnesses far too great of athletes succumbing to heat related illness and hyponatremia. Our goal is for this article to reach the incredible community of adventure athletes, cyclists, swimmers, trail runners, paddlers, and the bystanders who support them – and, teach you the basics of prevention, recognition, response and treatment. For, it is impossible for our med team to be everywhere all of the time throughout the duration of these events.

Air temperature, humidity, and dehydration are common risk factors associated with heat illness. Heat related illness occurs in hot humid temperatures where body cooling by evaporation is limited either by humidity levels and/or excessive clothing layers. Heat illness falls into three categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Heat cramps occur from excessive sweating (diaphoresis) during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture, which leads to dehydration. The low salt level in the muscles causes forceful and painful muscle contractions, usually in the quads, hamstrings, abdomen, or arms. If athletes do not take in enough – nor the right balanced fluids as they sweat, their blood actually thickens. If an athlete recognizes any signs or symptoms of heat related illness, he or she should treat the problem immediately.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body gets too hot and fluids are not replenished at a balanced rate. Thus, the body becomes dehydrated. The hypothalamus – which is the part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst and temperature - receives input from temperature receptors throughout the body. When blood temperatures rise, the neurons fire more rapidly and the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed. The body develops more heat than it can release and it develops signs and symptoms of shock, nausea, vomiting, headache, chills, and, urine is dark.

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat related illness and is a true medical emergency. Heat stroke occurs when the internal body core temperature exceeds 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). When the athlete competes, the body core temperature rises – and, if the athlete continues to compete – ignoring the signs and symptoms of heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion – their condition may have fatal results. Athletes may develop an altered level of consciousness, seizures, loss of consciousness, and successive vomiting.

Hyponatremia occurs when your blood level of sodium is low. Sodium is an electrolyte – and, can be depleted by drinking too much water. Athletes need to be aware of the balance replenishment combination of sodium, sugar, potassium and zinc while competing in endurance sports. Signs and symptoms are very similar to that of heat exhaustion. One tool that Expedition Med Team utilizes is asking the athlete for a dietary recall within the last 6 hours of the start of the event. If the athlete clearly did not intake salt, we suspect hyponatremia. We do not give water – but, instead administer salty foods and sports drinks and/or sodas – depending on how much nausea/vomiting is on board with the patient.

“It’s not the heat so much as it’s the humidity…”

Relative humidity (RH) indicates how moist the air is. When both relative humidity and air temperature is high – and, the air is almost saturated with water vapor (humidity), the body moisture does not evaporate as efficiently. As a result - the less evaporation occurring = less cooling.

Dangerous results can occur if athletes ignore what their bodies are trying to tell them. Athletes should consider the environmental conditions, their individual needs, the intensity of performance, duration of ride, fitness levels, nutrition prior to, during, and post event, and frequent fluid and electrolyte balance –again – prior to, during, and post event.

Consider two internal factors:

how hard we are working our bodies and for how long.

Now, consider two external factors:

Heat Index vs. Relative Humidity

Heat Index (HI) is sometimes referred to as the “apparent” temperature. The HI, given in degrees F, is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity (RH) is added to the actual air temperature.

Relative Humidity indicates how moist the air is. RH may be defined as the ratio of the water vapor density (mass per unit volume) to the saturation water vapor density, usually expressed in percent.

Evaporation is a cooling process – and, fortunately for many cyclists – this is a constant (as long as you keep pedaling). As temperatures rise, the main source for the body to cool itself is by perspiration. As perspiration condensates on the skin, the wind hits the skin and immediately prompts evaporation. Evaporative cooling is the most effective way for us to cool the body temperature.

Hence, if you can, cool yourself in the transition area by utilizing a misting/hydration/wind system. If the event is not providing one, you can make one out of a spray water bottle (keep in an ice cooler) and spray the cool water directly on your skin. If there is a body of water nearby, immerse yourself and then immediately head to a canopy or direct shade and get fanned!

If you are feeling nauseated and/or vomit, make certain to seek medical attention immediately. If you are far from medical response, find shade, lay down and elevate your feet no more that 12” off the ground – and gradually rehydrate with salty foods and/or a sports drink – and, call and wait for medical personnel to arrive.

Lastly, we ask that you take care of each other and utilize the buddy system. As aforementioned, Expedition Medical Team cannot be everywhere all of the time. We rely heavily on our community of good Samaritan athletes to help recognize and respond to these situations immediately – and, call 911 if a medical emergency – ASAP.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Related Illness

Heat Cramps

· Heavy sweating / diaphoresis

· Abdominal and/or muscle cramps

· Fatigue

Heat Exhaustion

· Nausea/Vomiting

· Feeling weak/confused

· Fast heartbeat

· Headache

· Dark colored urine, which indicates dehydration

· Fatigue

· Chills

· Cool, pale/flushed, moist or red skin

Heat Stroke: This is a medical emergency and the patient needs to be transported to a medical facility immediately.

· Change in level of consciousness

· Loss of consciousness

· Frequent vomiting

· Combative, feeling anxious

· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

· Seizures

· The inability to spit

· Dry mucous membranes (lack of sweating)

· High fever (greater than 104 degrees F / 40 degrees C)

Prevention, Prevention, Prevention: Heat Related Illness and Hyponatremia

· Acclimate. Acclimatization means gradual exposure to the heat and humidity. Think on how you acclimate to altitude - same theory applies here. You can achieve this by exercising in the heat for short periods, gradually increasing the time in the heat over a period of 10 to 14 days.

· Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.

· Avoid certain medication or drugs that can increase risk for heat illness. Examples include but are not limited to:

· antihistamines

· decongestants

· certain asthma medications

· Ritalin

· water pills (diuretics)

· illegal drugs (cocaine)

· diet pills

· laxatives

· some meds that tx mental health issues (antidepressants and antipsycholitics)

· seizure medications (anticonvulsants)

· alcohol

· Avoid certain nutritional supplements. Some may contain stimulants such as ephedrine, ma huang or caffeine. These substances can dehydrate the body and/or increase metabolism and heat production. They are of particular concern to people with underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, asthma and thyroid dysfunction.

· Condition your body. Be honest! Are you fit enough to sustain a peak performance level for an extended length of time?

· Drink and eat right. To prevent dehydration or heat exhaustion, athletes need to drink “optimally but not maximally” before, during, and after play. Eat nutritious foods as long as you can tolerate them during play which contain plenty of sodium (salt), potassium, and zinc. Energy bars are not enough.

· Hyponatremia! Too much water without proper balanced nutrition of sugar, salt, potassium and zinc can deplete the vital nutrients needed to sustain performance. There are dangers in OVERHYDRATING! Too much water can result in a condition known as hyponatremia. Consult with a physician about maintaining a good fluid and electrolyte balance.

· Monitor your urine. If it’s clear and copious, then you’re hydrated. If it’s dark yellow like apple juice, you’re dehydrated and need water and electrolyte replenishment.

· Previous illness from a cold, fever, gastrointestinal illness, or sickle cell trait

· Rest and cool down after play. Allow your body to recuperate from the beating of ultimate frisbee! Find shade and cool off. Evaporative cooling is the most efficient and practical means of cooling patients. Skin should be wet with room temperature water and placed in front of cooling fans.

· Weigh yourself before you compete. The most accurate method for determining your level of dehydration is by recording your weight change over a tournament. Weight loss equals water loss. If you lose more than 5 percent of your weight, seek medical care immediately.

· Wear light colored clothing. Dark clothing absorbs heat.

· Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen of SPF of 15 or more is good.

· Get in to the shade! Head in to the shade when not competing – and, choose the shaded routs when competing (like longs stretches of pavement shaded by trees on one side – run on that side!). Shaded tents, umbrellas – or even wearing hats helps keep the temps down.

Nutrition is an important aspect of keeping the body going during and after competition. Remember, the body needs more than just an energy bar and some fruit. Here are some ideas on certain snack foods to eat while competing and/or transitioning. Remember to eat real food (a sandwich) as long as you can tolerate it. Save the energy bars for last resort snacks instead of first resort snacks.

Nutrition Ideas During Competition

Potassium is important. Good sources of potassium include:

· Sports drinks (i.e. Gatorade, Powerade)

· Yogurt

· Grapefruit juice

· Bananas

· Nectarines

· Oranges

Sodium is important. Good sources of sodium include:

· Sports drinks

· Vegetable juices

· Pretzels

· Salted Nuts

· Cheese crackers

· Salted chips

· Peanut butter

· PICKLES and/or pickle juice

Fluids are important.

· Water

· Sports drinks

Post competition, carbohydrates are important. Foods rich in carbohydrates include:

· Potatoes

· Honey

· Cereal

· White bread

· Corn chips

· Sports drinks

· Jelly beans

· Rice cakes

· Bagels

· Crackers

· Gummy candies

Better bring an extra bike rack! Somebody is going home with a new bike!

Thanks to our fantastic Sponsors Regions Bank!

Purchase a ticket at the Ring of Fire:Ride or Race Luckenbach Packet Pick Up or at the Event and all donations go to the Ronald McDonald House.

$5.00 for one ticket

$20.00 for 5 tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at Packet Pick Up prior to event and at the Merchandise tent during the event.

MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Winner will be named between 1:30 and 2:30 pm 8/14/2010.

SUMMER SKIN SURVIVAL GUIDE

Summer Skin Survival Guide,

To keep your beauty!

Six essential tools for summer skin care & 6 products your skin can't live without

…& exclusive Sweet & Twisted offers at bottom!

We all know that living in Austin Rocks! And in the summertime, Austin is HOT. Lounging poolside or lakeside, playing down at the coast or in the park -- let's face it, whatever you're doing outside between May and September feels oh-so-good on your skin in the summer sun..

So what do we do? We wear fewer clothes to cover our bodies, because we can’t sweat fast enough to keep our bodies cool! Of course, we want to look good in our sleeveless shirts, shorts, and short skirts, & so we love a golden bronze, Sun-Tan!

But, BEWARE! The extra daylight & the Austin arms-baring temperatures make this time of year a super stressor on your skin. Summertime Skin needs protection more than any other!! During the summer months, the sun over Austin is shooting long range Rays of Free Radicals onto your skin, ALL OVER, All the Time! Dermatologists & MDs agree people tend to subject their skin to more damage in warm weather.

So how can you enjoy the lake & the hike & bike trails of the great outdoor season and still prevent long-term wear and tear on your face and body -- all the way to Labor Day and beyond? A&E Beauty Laser of Austin has assembled a skin care toolkit and warm-weather battle plan that will help save your skin from summer sins!

Read on for the lowdown on sunscreen, products to soothe redness and irritation, tips on fighting heat-induced breakouts, and more.

But first, a fun fact about our Capital City!

• Did you know; Austin is the only major Texas city that has no ordinance against women appearing topless in public???!!
• Knowing that may explain why more visitors come to see Austin than Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower, and even Niagara falls *combined!

Six essential tools for summer skin care, & why…

The overwhelming amount of beautiful sunny days in Austin equals an overwhelming amount of Free radicals. For more than three decades, researchers have known that free radicals accelerate the skin’s aging process.

According to top dermatologists around the country, the sun's rays cause about 90% of injury to the skin, which means sagging skin, uneven pigmentation, age spots, thinning skin, loss of elasticity, and, of course, wrinkles; the classic signs of premature aging. Short of walking around in outfits that even Hester Prynne would find conservative (which works -- clothing is a good first line of defense against the sun's rays); there's not much you can do to completely protect yourself from the scarlet letter of UV damage. But certain products and ingredients have proven to be reparative and have protective qualities. To get through the summer with healthy, glowing skin, stock your skin care arsenal with these powerful, protective weapons.

1. Daily Sun Protection, rain or shine!

So hear this: The first rule of beautiful, healthy skin begins and ends with sun block. The proven No. 1 way to protect your skin is to wear UV protection every single day, overcast or clear blue skies, summer or winter; You need a blockade!.

What is the best kind to buy? Because of the overwhelming amount of medical research being conducted on this topic, it is now known that every sunscreen product should contain the following:

• *UVA & UVB protection

§ *Antioxidants

§ *Ingredients contributing to an IPF - Immune Protection Factor

Recommendation:

Revision, Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45-

Lightweight, tinted moisturizer with a SPF 45 to protect the skin from both UVA & UVB rays. This contains broad spectrum sunscreens coupled with small particle zinc technology to help protect the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, while maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy feel. Powerful peptides reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive.

Benefits:

• Contains an Immune Protection Factor (IPF). Ingredients in Intellishade contributing to IPF include: Plankton Extract, White Birch extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate -(Vit C derivative), Green Tea/ white Tea Extract, Bakers Yeast Extract

*Contains Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C, E, and Coenzyme Q10!

Ideal for all skin types

• Provides lightweight moisture & beautiful, flawless coverage, all in one!
• Contains micronized Zinc Oxide to provide maximum UVA protection
• Offers broad spectrum protection from the sun's UVA and UVB rays
• Apply 30 minutes prior to long-term sun exposure, USE SPARINGLY! The Zinc gives full coverage!

(Available at A&E Beauty Laser of Austin - $48.00)

2. Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Your cleanser can actually do more than just clean. When you wash your face with salicylic acid, a gentle exfoliator, you're treating past, present, and future skin issues. "Salicylic acid loosens dead skin cells so new ones replace them," Derms & patients agree, this turnover helps shed damage. Plus, ditching dead skin cells keeps your complexion clear, smoothes texture and dries up excess oil to help prevent breakouts. One caution: Salicylic acid can make you more sensitive to the sun, so use it only at night.

Oily types can tolerate a salicylic cleanser once a day, but those with drier and more sensitive skin should limit use to one to three times a week to avoid irritation.

Top pick: Brightening Face Wash. This cleaner is hard to beat! It contains both Glycolic & Salicylic Acids to exfoliate dead surface cells from the skin. Also contains Vitamin C, Licorice & Lily Extracts to inhibit melanin production & naturally brighten the skin. This cleaner is SLS free! It contains a natural surfactant to mildly cleanse, & includes Vit E, & Panthenol (Vit B) to nourish, & restore moisture to skin, & prevent dryness & irritations that are sometimes associated with Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids. (Available at A&E Beauty Laser of Austin -$26.00)

3. Daily Antioxidant Serum

Serums are like the Altoids of skin care: Their nutrient-packed drops are curiously potent despite the small dose. "Serums are designed to be condensed and deliver high levels of the active ingredient in a very efficient way," A&E advises applying an antioxidant serum every morning, before you put on any other product. "Antioxidants neutralize damage-causing free radicals and act like an extra layer of protection when worn as a facial antioxidant under sunscreen.

*The reason you need a facial anti-oxidant is because only anti-oxidants (not sunscreens) “seek and destroy” free radicals… before they have a chance to make you look older, or do worse.

So, it's especially crucial that you include an antioxidant in your summer skin care routine since exposure to UV rays creates free radicals and no sunscreen can block all the rays. Stabilized & Bio Available Vitamin C is one of the very best, other skin-protecting ingredients: vitamin C, green or white tea, ferulic acid, or vitamin E. Vitamin C Lotion 15% or 30%; by physician directed skincare line; Revision is the very best for the money that we have found from two years of searching. This will brighten skin tone, has potent antioxidant properties & reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. What’s different about this Vitamin C is that is incorporates a high concentration of a very stable, bio available Vitamin C derivative which is time released for maximum efficacy. The Vit C derivative, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate., is converted into Ascorbic Acid in the skin. We believe that Vitamin C should be a part of every person’s daily skincare regimen (Available at A&E Beauty Laser, 15%- $65.00, 30%- $85.00)

4. Moisturizer

While it makes sense to strip off heavy layers of clothing once the mercury rises, you shouldn't go naked. The same goes for your skin. Sweat and humidity might make you feel greasier, but your skin still needs moisture to say healthy. And the salt in perspiration along with heat can actually cause more dehydration. Without added moisture, your pores produce more sebum to compensate for drying, which causes a frustrating cycle of breakouts and irritation.

Switch to lighter products such as oil-free lotions and milks rather than creams or ointments. We suggest looking for oil-free formulas and ingredients such as silica that will give your skin more of a matte look, especially if you have an oily complexion. Otherwise, your moisturizer should sink into your skin within 30 minutes and not look shiny. Secondly, a moisturizer needs to contain anti aging ingredients, especially good are the Tripeptides.

For moisturizing & ant aging A&E Beauty Laser recommends Hydrating Serum, Oil Free Moisture. This water based serum contains two potent anti-aging components, Palmitoyl Tripeptide -3 & Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, as well as skin nourishing benefit from Honey & Sea Kelp Extract. It is a totally versatile product. Great alone for oily skin types or layered with another moisturizer for dry skin; & it is the best application after in office procedures like chemical peels, microderm, or laser because of its soothing, moisture booster properties. ($42.00)

5. Nighttime Retinoid

Consider a vitamin A treatment, or retinoid, the big gun when it comes to battling the consequences of sun exposure. There is so much documented research on how retinoids treat UV damage, but also great evidence on how these agents can reverse aging. Once exposed to sunlight, retinoids are no longer effective and can make your skin more sun-sensitive.

To combat this, we suggest applying a retinoid every night and wearing a sunscreen with SPF 345 during the day. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you might have to start off using a retinoid every other day or a few nights a week until you build up tolerance. This is a beneficial product for mature skin types & those with oily skin & acne prone skin, especially those who can not tolerate Retinoic Acid, (Retin-A). We recommend Retinol Facial Repair, also by Revision. We like it because it contains a substantial amount of Retinol, encapsulated for maximum efficacy with minimum irritation. Plus it contains Vitamins C, &E & Co Enzyme Q10 to stabilize the retinol & maximize the anti-aging effects on the skin. (Available at A&E Beauty Laser of Austin, $59.00)

6. Weekly Calming Mask

You know how hot dogs plump up when they're cooked at a Fourth of July picnic? Well, the same thing essentially happens to your skin when it's overheated. Your skin becomes inflamed in summer heat because your capillaries widen as they send blood to the extremities to help cool down. As they expand, they leak fluid, which causes swelling.

Acne, rosacea, sunburn, and allergic rashes are all forms of inflammation. Soothing anti-inflammatory masks can help the skin fight and recover from such conditions. If your skin is oily and prone to any of these, a weekly mask containing clay or Silt. Cooling formulas containing aloe and chamomile are better for drier complexions. We have seen many happy clients with results form the Black Mask. Both normal to dry or oily will experience real benefits. Black Mask contains Freshwater Silt that has been proven all around the world to heal & nourish the skin, as well as purify by drawing out impurities & toxins from the skin. This mask also exfoliates the skin, although it is not a scrub. It contains a time released Salicylic Acid encapsulated in bio adhesive spheres that help exfoliate the skin even after it is rinsed off. Plus is has Green Tea Extract & Vit E to give protection form free radical damage. Available at A&E Beauty Laser, $36.00.

Hey; What about Vitamin D: To sun or not to sun?

Some sunbathing stalwarts cite our need for vitamin D as their justification for unprotected sun exposure. But they're charring their skin for no good reason: The idea that the sun is the best source of vitamin D is FALSE.

Yes, it's true we need vitamin D to help absorb calcium, and emerging research shows a strong link between the nutrient and lower risk of many cancers. But here's the truth: No good scientific data show that using sunscreen inhibits vitamin D production.

"About 15 minutes of exposing your arms and legs to the sun twice a week will create sufficient vitamin D," even with sunscreen on, says Jeffrey Dover, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. He advises taking a daily supplement containing 1,000 IU of vitamin D and eating fortified dairy products and fatty fish such as salmon for the safest and most effective way to produce the nutrient.

A&E wishes you The Best Luck in the Race!! Don’t forget; You are Awesome!!!

We are hoping that you do your personal best! … & you remember to keep your skin in shape too! So, check out the promotions below to help you look & feel even more healthy & beautiful!

*Now, your private sale from A&E Beauty Laser of Austin:

Exclusive Offers to Sweet & Twisted Competitors:

1.) A&E Beauty Laser recommends a light to medium series of peels to keep your skin in the healthiest & most beautiful, glowing condition. *25% off a series of 5!

2.) Laser Hair Removal,*25% off a full package!

3.) Laser Skin Tightening, *25% off a full package!

4.) Laser Spider Vein treatments, *2o% off a full package!

5.) All 6 essential summer skin care products 25% off!!

Call 512-921-1411, or email myskin@aebeautylaser.com

for your complimentary consultation with A&E Beauty Laser of Austin. *We have a new central location!

2826 Rio Grande Suit C, Austin, TX 78705.

www.aebeautylaser.com

*Fun Fact #3:

Rodeo is the official state sport of The Lone Star State, although High School Football is more popular.

See ya’ll at the finish line!! Gitr done!