I was about to tackle my first ultra-marathon: a grueling 50-kilometer mountain trail run with over 8,000 feet of elevation gain, technical terrain, and intense summer heat. It was everything you'd expect from a challenge known for its mud, incline, and unpredictability—and I was not yet equipped with what would later become my training essential: SOS Hydration.
Mile 24: When Dehydration Hit Hard
At mile 24, I was scheduled to meet my family at a rest stop. But just before reaching it, I vomited. I had become so severely dehydrated that anything I consumed was immediately rejected by my body. The temperature had climbed over 85°F (29°C), and I began to feel cold chills—a dangerous sign during a hot-weather endurance event.
I wasn’t just physically depleted. My mental clarity disappeared, too.
Dehydration Doesn’t Just Hit the Body—It Hits the Brain
In my fogged, irrational state, I seriously considered asking my 8-year-old daughter to pace me for the final 8 miles of the race. At the time, this seemed logical.
Severe dehydration impairs cognitive function, affecting decision-making, coordination, and focus. Just like muscles rely on hydration, so does the brain, our most vital organ. During endurance events, this can be the difference between finishing strong—or not finishing at all.
What Science Says: Hydration and Cognitive Performance
A 2018 meta-analysis by Wittbrodt & Millard-Stafford examined 33 studies involving over 400 participants. The findings were clear: even mild dehydration can significantly impair:
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Attention span
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Motor coordination
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Cognitive processing
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Logical reasoning
Tasks like driving, sitting through a long meeting, or operating machinery in heat can all be compromised—let alone running an ultra-marathon.
The Game-Changer: SOS Hydration
After that experience, I completely changed my hydration strategy. I discovered SOS Hydration, a WHO-formulated oral rehydration solution that works as effectively as an IV drip to:
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Replenish sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc
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Improve focus, stamina, and physical performance
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Support fast rehydration before, during, and after activity
Now, I use SOS every time I train or race. It’s become an essential part of my endurance toolkit—and a true hydration breakthrough.
Did I Finish the Race?
Yes. I crossed the finish line—barely. But that brutal, humbling experience inspired the title of my book:
“PUKE & RALLY: It’s Not About the Setback, It’s About the Comeback.”
If I hadn’t rallied, there’d be no book... and no story to tell.
Takeaway: Don’t Let Dehydration Derail You
If you’ve experienced midday brain fog, poor focus, or fatigue, you may be mildly dehydrated—without realizing it. Whether you're running trails, working long hours, or just trying to stay sharp, hydration is performance fuel.
SOS Hydration isn’t just for athletes. It’s for anyone who wants to stay clear, energized, and ahead of the curve.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology coach, speaker, and author of seven books on Mental Toughness including: ‘PUKE & RALLY: It’s not about the setback, it’s about the comeback’.
1- WITTBRODT, MATTHEW T.; MILLARD-STAFFORD, MELINDA Dehydration Impairs Cognitive Performance, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: November 2018 - Volume 50 - Issue 11
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