July 17th, 2025

Proactive Cooling With CORE’s Endurance Performance Lead

CORE is on a mission to empower humanity with thermal data to optimize health and performance. To that end, we have assembled a team of experts in the field of sports science and thermoregulation. One such expert is CORE’s Endurance Performance Lead, Aline Barre, who manages and advises all of CORE’s pro teams, athletes, and ambassadors in addition to maintaining her own calendar of cycling and triathlon races.

When it comes to racing in the heat, few people are better versed in the theory and practice of thermoregulation. Last week at IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz (temp highs of 28°C/82°F), Aline used heat preparation and expertly timed cooling strategies to place 2nd in her age group (F25–29) and 14th overall among women. Her performance, powered by science and smart strategy, showcases exactly how heat management can be the difference between fading and flying on race day.

Heat Preparation

Aline eased into her heat prep by training outdoors in the natural summer heat throughout June, using minimal cooling to boost her body’s acclimatization to the conditions. Aline then ramped up her protocol two and a half weeks before the race with seven indoor heat training sessions using overdressing techniques: three sessions per week for two weeks, followed by one final tune-up five days before the race. By her final session, she had reached a Heat Adaptation Score of 100%. On race day, she maintained a 93% adaptation level—plenty to keep her thermoregulation system running smoothly in competition.

The Bike: Proactive Cooling And The Fastest AG Split

Aline executed a textbook example of proactive cooling on the bike. She doused herself with water at every aid station, which kept her skin temperature impressively low (~30°C) and helped stabilize her core temperature around 38.25°C. This is clear evidence of well-managed heat stress: her Heat Strain Index (HSI) averaged just 0.75, and most of the bike leg was spent in Heat Zone 1—the most comfortable and sustainable level of thermal load.

The result? The fastest overall female age-group bike split of the day.

The Run: Keeping Cool And Finishing Strong

While the run brought higher temperatures (peaking at ~28°C) and reduced airflow, Aline stayed ahead of the heat with a layered cooling strategy. Every 5K, she added ice to her cap and refreshed a cooling towel around her neck. She also carried a soft flask for more controlled hydration, avoiding the variability of paper cups at aid stations. Despite the tougher conditions, her core temperature remained steady at ~38.5°C, and she averaged a slightly increased—but manageable—HSI of 1.4, mostly staying in Heat Zone 2.

Aline’s performance is a powerful case study in what happens when science, preparation, and execution align. By reaching full heat adaptation ahead of race day and using proactive cooling before thermal strain set in, she managed to race strong, stay cool, and claim a spot on the podium.

Congratulations Aline—not just for the result, but for showing athletes everywhere what smart heat management can look like in action.