Camelbaks Allowed in WDW Races?

[BuckeyeBama]

I have run many races, but never in the heat. When I do my longer training runs, I wear a CamelBak backpack. It allows me to carry up to 70 oz of Gatorade. So, my question - are you allowed to wear them during the longer races at WDW? I wouldn't need it for the half unless it is really hot, but I might need it for the full.

 

[FireDancer]

I have never seen a prohibition of them at any Disney race (or any race for that matter). I'm pretty certain you'll be able to use them if necessary but I think they have plenty of water stops so why take extra weight if you don't have too?

 

[Ariel484]

I have no idea if they are but I don't know why they would be prohibited. Love the Camelbak!

I have never seen a prohibition of them at any Disney race (or any race for that matter). I'm pretty certain you'll be able to use them if necessary but I think they have plenty of water stops so why take extra weight if you don't have too?

I have a Camelbak I use for training and used to think I'd never use it in a race, but after this year's marathon in WDW I'm starting to think about it. I got pretty painful cramps in my feet around mile 12, which has never happened to me before. I sweat a decent amount and will eventually start to sweat salt when it's warm enough out, and this year was pretty toasty. If the rumors are true that WDW waters down their Powerade, it makes me wonder if having regular, "full-strength" Gatorade would have helped me. I'm experimenting with Nuun tablets but I like the taste of Gatorade better. So I could understand wanting to carry your own stuff.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have never seen a prohibition of them at any Disney race (or any race for that matter). I'm pretty certain you'll be able to use them if necessary but I think they have plenty of water stops so why take extra weight if you don't have too?

I train with Gatorade, so I would rather race with Gatorade if it is hot. Also, I like to drink every half mile when running in the heat. They will not have drink stops at that interval.

Now, if there is a cold snap, I will not use the Camelbak. It will be very cold for my last 30-45 days of training leading up to the WDW marathon, so I will need a cool day in WDW. A perfect marathon in the winter is the one held in Myrtle Beach in Feb - temps have generally been awesome - but I have decided to try WDW. I hope that I didn't make a mistake.

 

[FFigawi]

I got pretty painful cramps in my feet around mile 12, which has never happened to me before. I sweat a decent amount and will eventually start to sweat salt when it's warm enough out, and this year was pretty toasty. If the rumors are true that WDW waters down their Powerade, it makes me wonder if having regular, "full-strength" Gatorade would have helped me. I'm experimenting with Nuun tablets but I like the taste of Gatorade better. So I could understand wanting to carry your own stuff.

Have you tried using salt tabs? They'll help far more than Powerade or Gatorade when the temperature rises and you're really starting to sweat out salt.

 

[Ariel484]

Have you tried using salt tabs? They'll help far more than Powerade or Gatorade when the temperature rises and you're really starting to sweat out salt.

I have not...what kind do you recommend? I wouldn't even know what to look for.

The sweating out salt thing doesn't happen all the time or anything, but like I said, it will when the run is long enough and it's really hot out. The foot cramping thing that happened during this year's Disney marathon has NEVER happened to me before...and I'm willing to try anything to avoid that happening again!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I ran 16 miles in the heat on Sunday. I drank 64 oz of Gatorade during the run and still lost 4 lbs of water weight during the run. Crazy stuff.

 

[Terapin]

I used both salt tablets and a camelbak during my WDW marathon. I am so glad I did.

Mine was 3L and full (actually a Nathan, not Camelbak). I drank it all, in addition to the fluids provided on course (2 at each table). I am a slow runner and took 7 hours to finish. I only peed a wee bit back at the hotel after a couple of hours, so was not over hydrated in the least. I was drenched in sweat as the race was very hot. I finished nearly all my fluid in my backpack. I also loved having it for my mouth after a gel. I gel every 45 minutes, and there wasn't always a water stop near enough for my timing requirements. I loved never being super thirsty as I could drink to comfort.

I also took many salt tablets during the 7 hours. I took 2 every hour. I used Salt Stick tabs, and they keep me comfortable. I am a very salty sweater (been tested) and need to use them to stave off hyponatremia/hypokalemia. Without them on long runs I cramp and start to feel terrible. I lost mine for the ToT race which was very hot and humid and I finished feeling dizzy, nauseous and completely cramped up. I finished the marathon with great hydration and great 'salting' feeling metabolically normal. I wanted to chop my feet off at the entrance to Epcot, but I don't think there is any magic pill for that.

I also loved the Nathan hydration pack because it is comfortable. It has pockets in front for my phone and gels, and enough room in the pack for a couple things like teensy sized BodyGlide and a plastic bag. It could actually fit a sweatshirt in it if I wanted to...

In any case, use the long runs in training to figure out what works for you, and try to calculate how much fluids you need, and if you feel better with electrolyte tabs.

 

[dburg30]

I have my belt, but am considering looking at a pack instead for my fluids. I, like others, dont want to be held hostage to the stops on course especially if it is a hot weekend. I also need to look into the salt tablets and check them out.

 

[steph0808]

I saw Cambelbaks at previous Disney races and have never read that they aren't allowed, so you should be good to go.

For this year's full, I wasn't planning on wearing the bottles on my iFitness belt, but I am so glad that I did. I probably drank 150+ ounces of water during the race. I drank a cup at every water stop, plus I had them refill my bottles (16 ounces total) at least 6 times. The volunteers were the absolute best.

 

[cewait]

There is no historic prohibition....

BUT pay attention to the next set of race instructions to see how the rD folks react to Boston. I would bet that they continue to be allowed - worst case would be a possibility of a search like the gate. Again, I seriously doubt that runners would be prohibited from using a camelback….

With regard to electrolytic caps (salt caps)… there are many versions out there. Look at Endurolyte for a start. The factors you are looking for a how buffered is the caplet, what variety of electrolytes are included, what junk are they adding…

Hope this helps

 

[WhereInFlorida]

70 oz of fluids would be starting with 4+ pounds on your back. I do not do alot of races but for the ones I do disney is the best with supplies and having more than enough.

150+ oz in a race...I am guessing that is the extreme high end of hydration. Not sure during the race how much I get down but based on the cup sizes and number of stations would be about half that. On 20 mi training runs I will stop for a 20oz gatorade and refill it as it is getting low, so 30ish oz typical. Drink when you are thirsty and use your long runs to train your body to burn fat for fuel.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

70 oz of fluids would be starting with 4+ pounds on your back.

You don't even know it is there, and my hands are free the entire race. For long training runs, it allows me to do out/backs in the hills without needing support from anyone else. I push myself a lot harder because I know that I have whatever I need with me.

150+ oz in a race...I am guessing that is the extreme high end of hydration. Not sure during the race how much I get down but based on the cup sizes and number of stations would be about half that. On 20 mi training runs I will stop for a 20oz gatorade and refill it as it is getting low, so 30ish oz typical. Drink when you are thirsty and use your long runs to train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Everyone perspires at different rates. My wife barely sweats at all when we run together. I sweat profusely. 30 oz in the winter on a 20 mile run would be fine for me, but in the summer I require much more. I weigh myself before and after long runs to track my fluid loss at my doctor's recommendation - that is how much I sweat.

 

[steph0808]

150+ oz in a race...I am guessing that is the extreme high end of hydration. Not sure during the race how much I get down but based on the cup sizes and number of stations would be about half that. On 20 mi training runs I will stop for a 20oz gatorade and refill it as it is getting low, so 30ish oz typical. Drink when you are thirsty and use your long runs to train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Oh, it definitely was the heat. 90 degrees on mostly highway for 26.2 miles. I also was just getting over the flu, but I was sufficiently hydrated before the race. I did a 20-mile training run in PA winter in December and drank 16 ounces during the run. I am not a big drinker when running, but you never know what the weather is going to be like in Florida and on the pavement it was terrible.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

There is no historic prohibition....

BUT pay attention to the next set of race instructions to see how the rD folks react to Boston. I would bet that they continue to be allowed - worst case would be a possibility of a search like the gate. Again, I seriously doubt that runners would be prohibited from using a camelback.

Thank you - that was one of my concerns - a reaction to Boston. I will monitor as I can, but if anyone notices a change in policy, please post. I would hate to plan on using it and find that I am unable to do so at the last minute.

 

[Ariel484]

Oh, it definitely was the heat. 90 degrees on mostly highway for 26.2 miles. I also was just getting over the flu, but I was sufficiently hydrated before the race. I did a 20-mile training run in PA winter in December and drank 16 ounces during the run. I am not a big drinker when running, but you never know what the weather is going to be like in Florida and on the pavement it was terrible.

That's what I thought when you posted how much you drank...about your getting over the flu. I know I definitely drank more than usual that day...it was a scorcher!

 

[FFigawi]

I have not...what kind do you recommend? I wouldn't even know what to look for.

I use Salt Stick tabs. I take one every hour when it's hot, which living in the Middle East, it usually is. Take them with water because they're pretty tough to swallow on their own.

 

[Ariel484]

I use Salt Stick tabs. I take one every hour when it's hot, which living in the Middle East, it usually is. Take them with water because they're pretty tough to swallow on their own.

Thank you! My running store has those so I'll definitely try them out.

 

[dburg30]

I use Salt Stick tabs. I take one every hour when it's hot, which living in the Middle East, it usually is. Take them with water because they're pretty tough to swallow on their own.

which ones? looks like they have normal and then plus ones?

 

[FFigawi]

which ones? looks like they have normal and then plus ones?

I use the regular ones. The Plus caps have added caffeine, which is not what I want from my salt. Or my gels, for that matter.