The Running Thread--2024

[The Expert]

QOTD: What's your go-to solution for carrying nutrition during a marathon? (Especially helpful if Team Not-So-Fast members could also respond!)

I'm gearing up for my 4th marathon and 3rd Dopey but I honestly haven't paid a ton of attention to fueling in my previous efforts. I've got that nailed down now, and am realizing that for my pace, I'm going to need to carry a lot of stuff. I've always managed to get what I need into my shorts/skorts pockets, but I don't think that's realistic with this volume of stuff and my phone and other things I need.

A few caveats:
1. I hate carrying things in my hands. Won't do it, even if strapped to me.
2. I am small framed and short-waisted, so anything too huge will be bothersome.
3. I am planning to still put my phone and other items in pockets, so all I really need the bag/pack/whatever to hold is the waffles and gels.
4. I wouldn't hate if it could also carry a small flask for concentrated electrolytes, though I feel like I can get enough from rD stops.

I have a spibelt that is too small for my phone but MIGHT work for this, though it's a bit tight and I'm worried about the waffles getting crushed. I'm looking at this right now: https://www.rei.com/product/230720/janji-multipass-mini-bag?sku=2307200002 as I have a flipbelt flask I think would fit in the outside bungee.

Anybody got a favorite solution or a review of this (or another) pack? Appreciate the direction!

(Edited for bad math.)

 

[jrsharp21]

Great question. I usually have a running belt that fits my phone in the front pouch. There elastic straps on the side that I can fit about 6 gel packs. But this year I am going to try to carry a coupe of pickle juice shots with me. Trying to figure the best way to carry those.

 

[Zutroy]

You can mix it into soft flasks and carry it with you in a belt like the one from Naked. You can also mix the Precision Hydration and Maurten gels into a flask too. It's a much more convenient way to carry your carbs and electrolytes than half a dozen individual packets.

Naked Running Band
Naked Flask

I just ordered both of those yesterday since I wanted to try something different than a running vest. As an answer to the QOTD, I wear a Nathan running vest with a 1.6 liter bladder for runs over 15 miles. I can carry my phone, a bunch of gels, and it has a built in whistle in case I need a musical instrument. I like not having to worry about on-course nutrition or drinks during the marathon. I also hate holding things when I run. For the most part it works, but it can be a little annoying, which is why I’m trying out the Naked belt. It’s supposed to come next week, and hopefully it can replace my vest for the marathon.

 

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: Shorts pockets

 

[mmm_texas]

QOTD: I'm firmly in the Team Not-So-Fast group. I've only run two marathons, both as part of a Dopey (and the most recent as part of a Dopey-to-Dumbo), so I'm going for completion more than speed.

TLDR: Shorts pockets.

I'm one of those weird people who carries my phone in my hand, I rely on course-provided hydration, and I ride the bus to the race, so my pockets are empty except for my ID, plenty of room for gels. I plan out in advance at which hydration stops I'll consume a gel, so that it works out to one gel every 30-45 minutes or so. It has worked well for me.

 

[DianaMB333]

I use two of this.. one facing front with the water bottles and cellphone. One facing back only with waffles, chews, skratch packets.

https://a.co/d/9roDi3f

It helps me to run hands free and without a backpack..

 

[avondale]

ATTQOTD: I use a combination of running vest pockets and shorts pockets.

The running vest has a water reservoir on the back (1.5L) and then I can carry two soft flasks (500mL each) in front pockets of the vest. I also keep my phone in one of the front pockets (there is a dividing layer).

My spandex bike-length shorts have deep side pockets on both sides. This is where I keep the food. I have fit in 3 or 4 Honey Stinger waffles plus a zip-lock bag with things like M&Ms and GU blocks, etc. The pockets are kind of bulging to start the race, but it doesn't affect my running. (Practiced with everything in long runs, of course.)

 

[SarahDisney]

QOTD: What's your go-to solution for carrying nutrition during a marathon? (Especially helpful if Team Not-So-Fast members could also respond!)

I have a Fitletic belt that has room for a few gels and an attachment I can put on it for an 8oz water bottle (useful for carrying your favorite electrolyte drink). I put my phone and gels in that (plus water/electrolytes if I'm carrying that), and then smaller things like my headphones and jelly beans go in my skirt pockets. Waffles might be a bit big for pockets, though, unless you have something with cell phone sized pockets (a lot of my yoga leggings would actually be great for that).

If the weather allows it you can also try a jacket with pockets, although the likelihood of Dopey having jacket-friendly weather is pretty low.

 

[Herding_Cats]

QOTD: What's your go-to solution for carrying nutrition during a marathon? (Especially helpful if Team Not-So-Fast members could also respond!)

I'm gearing up for my 4th marathon and 3rd Dopey but I honestly haven't paid a ton of attention to fueling in my previous efforts. I've got that nailed down now, and am realizing that for my pace, I'm going to need to carry probably 4-6 stroop waffles and at least 12 or 13 Untapped "gels". I've always managed to get what I need into my shorts/skorts pockets, but I don't think that's realistic with this volume of stuff and my phone and other things I need.

That's like....a lot of fuel. That's eating something every 23min (assuming we keep our 7hr-ish party pace) with 6 waffles and 12 "gels."
Just something to think about.

My answer is pockets and a bigger SPI belt. And also, I usually take too much fuel with me (better to have and not need?) that I don't end up using. Between the latent carbs from the powerade (because I grab one at almost every stop and 6oz of powerade has about 9g of carbs) and the bananas (27g carb per banana) I always have extra stuff at the end of the race.

I'll add that I just have this feeling that the full is going to be hot this time, and I always bring my hydration vest with me (nathan) and can throw a ton of stuff in that if needed.) I'm hoping I'm wrong.

and it has a built in whistle in case I need a musical instrument.

I always giggle to myself when I forget what the random tiny zippered pocket is for on my vest and open it to re-discover oh a whistle!

 

[nancipants]

Shorts pockets and I use a Nathan heldheld water bottle with a pouch.

The Janji pace shorts have two deep pockets, an interior back pocket, and a back passthrough pocket. They can hold A LOT and they're super comfy. I'm still debating whether to use those or the Crowned shorts for the marathon.

 

[The Expert]

the likelihood of Dopey having jacket-friendly weather is pretty low.

Sadly true. ::sigh::

 

[The Expert]

That's like....a lot of fuel. That's eating something every 23min (assuming we keep our 7hr-ish party pace) with 6 waffles and 12 "gels."
Just something to think about.

Yeah... as I was typing it I knew I had done the math wrong. But the responses are still insightful, so I let it roll.

 

[SheHulk]

ATTQOTD: I struggle with this too. You just reminded me that I was waiting in a corral behind somebody who, (nobody take this the wrong way) just had the look of an ultrarunner. One thing contributing to that look was that this man had an elastic belt, like a spi belt on, with a regular gallon-size Ziploc bag jammed under it. That Ziploc contained two full-sized peanut butter sandwiches, one on one side of the belt and the other on the other side, with the sandwiches hanging on either side of the belt. Imagine like one of those RooSport pouches but with one peanut butter sandwich on either side of the "crease". I know I'm not explaining it well, and it would probably not go with any outfit you're wearing. Honestly it was the most stereotypical ultrarunner thing I have ever seen at a road race.

 

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: I struggle with this too. You just reminded me that I was waiting in a corral behind somebody who, (nobody take this the wrong way) just had the look of an ultrarunner. One thing contributing to that look was that this man had an elastic belt, like a spi belt on, with a regular gallon-size Ziploc bag jammed under it. That Ziploc contained two full-sized peanut butter sandwiches, one on one side of the belt and the other on the other side, with the sandwiches hanging on either side of the belt. Imagine like one of those RooSport pouches but with one peanut butter sandwich on either side of the "crease". I know I'm not explaining it well, and it would probably not go with any outfit you're wearing. Honestly it was the most stereotypical ultrarunner thing I have ever seen at a road race.

But did he have a large, full bushy beard? That's kinda needed to hit the stereotypical ultrarunner look, too.

 

[accm]

ATTQOTD: I used to just use my pockets, but I got a flipbelt at the wine and dine expo, and so far like it. Now that I have that, I'm going to try adding Tailwind as fuel during my runs. My stomach always ends up feeling off after long runs, and I think it's from the gels/gummies.

 

[SheHulk]

But did he have a large, full bushy beard? That's kinda needed to hit the stereotypical ultrarunner look, too.

What do you think.

 

[SheHulk]

ATTQOTD: I struggle with this too. You just reminded me that I was waiting in a corral behind somebody who, (nobody take this the wrong way) just had the look of an ultrarunner. One thing contributing to that look was that this man had an elastic belt, like a spi belt on, with a regular gallon-size Ziploc bag jammed under it. That Ziploc contained two full-sized peanut butter sandwiches, one on one side of the belt and the other on the other side, with the sandwiches hanging on either side of the belt. Imagine like one of those RooSport pouches but with one peanut butter sandwich on either side of the "crease". I know I'm not explaining it well, and it would probably not go with any outfit you're wearing. Honestly it was the most stereotypical ultrarunner thing I have ever seen at a road race.

Also I should note those peanut butter sandwiches were not even cut in half. Just 2 full size bread peanut butter sandwiches, that looked to be his fuel for this race.

 

[Zutroy]

But did he have a large, full bushy beard? That's kinda needed to hit the stereotypical ultrarunner look, too.

I mean, sometimes stereotypes are accurate?

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD: I have shorts with pockets, one side has my phone plus one or two packs of Cliff Blocks and the other side has a bunch of gels.

For my first two marathons (including Dopey), I also had a 5oz water flask (brand Flipbelt) in the gel pocket.

For the next three marathons, which had less stations, I also had a FuelBelt with the two 5oz flasks filled with Maurten 360… and eventually refilled with water.

For the last two marathons, I wanted to be freeeeee. So no belt, no flask.

I always had leftovers gels at the end of the marathon because the race provided fuel, electrolytes and water, which I grabbed/used.

 

[Jules76126]

Such a crazy problem- it was very startling (and loud) when it happened! Seems like a pretty critical design flaw, but they weren’t too interested it my option on that
I didn’t have the extended warranty, so it cost $213 shipped for the part and we’ll install it ourselves- wish us luck. I just hope the part comes quickly!

If I remember correctly, we had it within a week. The install didn’t seem to bad. We had already paid for the warranty so we were like they can do it. Hardest part was getting rid of the cracked deck (we have a weird trash system that makes getting rid of larger items an issue).