Train with a fuel belt, race without?

[DVCFan1994]

I have been training for the GSC with a fuel belt on runs 6 miles and over. I am still fairly new to running and this is my first half. I used by fuel belt for my 10k race for my corral placement time. But I noticed I was one of very, very few people in a field of about 1500. I have running friends who say on race day they rely solely on the fluids the course provides. They stash their fuel in pockets in their clothes. I am very torn about whether to bring my own fuel belt or just rely on water/sports drinks on course. I looked at the maps and there does seem to be a lot of water stops.

I wear a road id, so don't run with photo id usually. Staying at BLT, so MB will be room key. I run with my phone for music, but my clothes have pockets, so don't need the fuel belt for that. I have pockets for my shot blocks as well. That means the belt would be water/sports drink only. I have 2 10 ounces bottles and an add on 8 ounce. I usually have 18 oz water and 10 oz sports drink on runs over 10m, 10 oz each water and G2 on shorter runs. I never finish all my fluids. But I also wonder if I under hydrate (separate issue).

So I have 2 questions:

1) If you raced without your belt did you regret the decision or were you happy with it?

2) I know that the drink is the powdered form of powerade, but does anyone know what kind of sugar is in there? I've read its different than the sugars in the liquid forms sold in stores. I used G2 on my own runs. But I have used regular powerade a few times, and it is fine. However, I cannot use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, etc, due to severe headaches if I ingest them. I looked on the powerade website, but I can't find info on the powdered form.

Oh, and if I am totally honest, the fuel belt doesn't match my tutu

 

[m_kasch]

I have been training for the GSC with a fuel belt on runs 6 miles and over. I am still fairly new to running and this is my first half. I used by fuel belt for my 10k race for my corral placement time. But I noticed I was one of very, very few people in a field of about 1500. I have running friends who say on race day they rely solely on the fluids the course provides. They stash their fuel in pockets in their clothes. I am very torn about whether to bring my own fuel belt or just rely on water/sports drinks on course. I looked at the maps and there does seem to be a lot of water stops.

I wear a road id, so don't run with photo id usually. Staying at BLT, so MB will be room key. I run with my phone for music, but my clothes have pockets, so don't need the fuel belt for that. I have pockets for my shot blocks as well. That means the belt would be water/sports drink only. I have 2 10 ounces bottles and an add on 8 ounce. I usually have 18 oz water and 10 oz sports drink on runs over 10m, 10 oz each water and G2 on shorter runs. I never finish all my fluids. But I also wonder if I under hydrate (separate issue).

So I have 2 questions:

1) If you raced without your belt did you regret the decision or were you happy with it?

2) I know that the drink is the powdered form of powerade, but does anyone know what kind of sugar is in there? I've read its different than the sugars in the liquid forms sold in stores. I used G2 on my own runs. But I have used regular powerade a few times, and it is fine. However, I cannot use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, etc, due to severe headaches if I ingest them. I looked on the powerade website, but I can't find info on the powdered form.

Oh, and if I am totally honest, the fuel belt doesn't match my tutu

I ran Wine & Dine with my belt, and I will probably run Princess with it also. I live locally though, so need to be able to carry my car keys. One thing to note is that on the 10K course, there is only water - I was glad to have my powerade during the Disney World 10K!! But during the half, there ARE 9 stops...so you might not need it.

 

[FFigawi]

My advice us to run with what you trained with. It'll make you feel more relaxed and at ease on race day.

 

[mla2177]

I am so glad you posted this. I run with a Camelbak (backpack) and was debating whether or not to bring it for the Princess half. I am worried about bottle necking at the water stops, so I am leaning towards bringing my Camelbak.

 

[timmac]

I used G2 on my own runs. But I have used regular powerade a few times, and it is fine. However, I cannot use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, etc, due to severe headaches if I ingest them.

Hmmm... G2 uses artificial sweeteners.

 

[Figment1990]

I say, do whatever you're most comfortable with! If you are used to running with your fuel belt for hydration - you might as well use it during the race! I hate my fuel belt, so I loathe wearing it and got one of those magnetic pouches at the Tink expo and LOVE that to carry my fuel since none of my clothes have pockets. I have a waistband clip for my ipod.

if you aren't sure about the powerade on the course - then bring what has worked for you. Not the time to take chances. There will be PLENTY of people wearing fuel belts. Absolutely NO ONE is going to look at you and think, what was she thinking pairing THAT fuel belt with THAT tutu....

 

[dragitoff]

I train with my fuel belt, but don't wear it during races. I mainly stopped using it because I bought a small belt (w/o bottle holders) that I'd clip my race bib to (yeah, I know a petty reason to not wear it, but whatever ) Anyway, I made sure I was comfortable drinking from a cup while running before doing this though. Since I run only (no walking) in races, I had to master, if you can ever master such a thing, the art of drinking from a pinched paper cup while running.

I've thought about wearing my fuel belt for a few smaller long distance races just because the water/sports drink stops are more limited than say a Disney race, but I still haven't done it. I use Clif Bloks and electrolyte tabs when I run, but the tabs I use are just a pill so I'm able to put those in a small fold and close sandwich bag in my race belt pouch without any trouble.

Personally, I like the assurance of having my flavor fluid whenever I need it, but it is honestly really nice for me on race day to not have that little bit of extra weight on me while running a long-distance race.

 

[cewait]

I too rarely race with additional fluids, especially in a half or shorter. The Disney water stops are too large and plentiful to worry about necking down or supply issues. The best way to approach a stop is to be near course center and pass the first 3-4 tables then veer in to one of the final tables. You will see it in action soon. Usually, they are set up so you get PowerAde on the first group and water on the last half.

 

[peachygreen]

I train with a belt because it is necessary to carry water on my long runs in Houston. I don't run with a belt for any runs 6 miles or shorter in the winter or 4 miles or shorter in the summer. I really don't like running with a fuel belt but it beats the alternatives I have tried (and I have tried a lot of them).

I don't race with a fuel belt because I feel confident in the water stations. I have carried water on races before and not used any of it so it is just added weight.

I have clothes that allow me to carry my key/fuel etc.

I have not regretted not running with my belt during races.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

For me, it would depend on how hot it is. When it is very hot, I wear my camelback, even in races. When weather conditions allow, I prefer to drink from the water stops.

I don't need other fuel, like gels, on a half marathon. The carbs in the powerade are sufficient.

 

[Castle2Castle]

I have been training for the GSC with a fuel belt on runs 6 miles and over. I am still fairly new to running and this is my first half. I used by fuel belt for my 10k race for my corral placement time. But I noticed I was one of very, very few people in a field of about 1500.

As a few others have mentioned for them personally, there are a lot of experienced runners who don't carry fuel for under 13 miles. As a newer runner, the 10k distance may still be challenging or new enough that you'll be more comfortable having fluids between the stops - that's my rationale for keeping a belt for the full marathon distance; I like having the option of something to drink in the stretches between if I'm having a hard time.

1) If you raced without your belt did you regret the decision or were you happy with it?

2) I know that the drink is the powdered form of powerade, but does anyone know what kind of sugar is in there? I've read its different than the sugars in the liquid forms sold in stores. I used G2 on my own runs. But I have used regular powerade a few times, and it is fine. However, I cannot use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, etc, due to severe headaches if I ingest them. I looked on the powerade website, but I can't find info on the powdered form.

I've not regretted anything about not taking a belt with me for a 5k or 10k. Those are usually short enough in duration that I don't need any more fuel than is on the course, and in many cases I barely use any of what they provide. It depends on what you need and like, though.

The Powerade I've had on runDisney courses has been a bit more sugary than what I'm typically used to, so I try to cut it with a bit more water than on my usual training runs. I'm not sure what kind of sugar it is, but that's been the experience of my fiancee and I anyway.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Hmmm... G2 uses artificial sweeteners.

Sorry, my mistake, early morning laziness trying to abbreviate. It's not G2, it's "g series perform 02". It has sucrose and dextrose for sugars.

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there is a good mix of belt users and non. I am ambivalent about my belt. I do not love it, I tolerate it to hydrate because I live in a very hilly area and to run circuits by my house would be brutal. I'd like to go without it, but not sure what to expect.

The main thing holding me back at this point is not knowing the source of the sugars in the powerade at the race. I suppose I could go without the belt in the 10k, and if it seems to be a problem wear it for the half. Decisions. Maybe I'll try my long run tomorrow with only shot blocks and water and see how it goes. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[timmac]

Sorry, my mistake, early morning laziness trying to abbreviate. It's not G2, it's "g series perform 02". It has sucrose and dextrose for sugars.

The main thing holding me back at this point is not knowing the source of the sugars in the powerade at the race.

Thanks for clarifying, that makes a lot more sense now

According to here, it's just sucrose and dextrose:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Powerade-Mountain-Berry-Blast-Sports-Drink-Mix-19.6-oz/23746244

The version sold in NZ seems similar:
http://www.coca-colajourney.co.nz/brands/powerade/powerade-powder-lemon-lime-500g-tub

While I grant this isn't 100% conclusive, I'm thinking you're probably fine with the powder-mixed stuff.

 

[Bookwood]

Because I do most of my runs on a track I drink every mile, I carry a bottle of powerade with me on any race (except a 5K). I've been on Disney courses when water/powerade stations were shut down and empty- never again. I have a new fuel belt that I intend to wear on both courses. (I'm hoping to carry Power Zero on both courses.)

 

[steph0808]

I train with a fuel belt and wear one for anything over 15k or so. I wore one for the 2013 WDW Marathon - so glad I did because even though there are plenty of water stops, I needed a lot of water because I was getting over the flu and it was so damn hot.

I also use one for half marathons around my house. Sure, if I took it off, I could save an extra pound or two, but I need a way to carry my sport beans anyway. Sometimes I run with just one water bottle instead of two to lessen the load a little bit.

I don't drink a lot of water while running, especially if it is a cool day, so I like to have it available when I need it/want it.

 

[paxsarah]

I use a handheld water bottle on longer runs, refilling as necessary along my route, but I tend not to carry any water during races unless I have serious concerns about the course having enough water on it. I may have during my first marathon (I just can't remember!) because at the time I was using Sharkies chews as my fuel, and I liked popping a couple every mile or so and chasing them with water - a continuous drip of fuel and hydration. But once I started using gels instead, I could time it to take one during a water stop, and now that I use GenUCAN I don't usually fuel mid-race for a half-marathon or shorter. So I've found that the on-course water works for me, and a SPIbelt or Flipbelt works to carry anything else I might need.

However, if I used sports drink as my primary fuel, I would probably use a fuel belt, because you just can't know what the concentration will be on course. I would definitely want my own drinks, the ones that I trained with.

 

[Big Vic]

I train with a Camelbak vest (Marathoner) and normally wear 1/2's and longer. I like being self contained, but I do utilize the waterstops if/when needed.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I did my long run yesterday with just water and shot blocks, and it worked well. Feeling less worried about using an electrolyte drink now. I'm a very salty sweater, caked in white when I am done. I used the extra salt shot blocks, margarita flavor was yummy. I had my normal running issues with my injuries, but felt better hydrated than usual, and wasn't nauseous after, which I very often am after long runs. Thanks for all the input. I am leaning toward using the belt for the half, but not the 10k. May depend a lot on the weather. I am training mostly in single digits and teens, so if it's quite warm I'll definitely want my own supply to be safe.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i wear a belt when i run halfs. i don't need it for a 10k, although i usually have a hand-held water bottle.

i think a lot depends on what you are used to. i like to drink a lot of water if it's warm. what i tend to do is drink the water at the water stops as well as some of my water. for the longer runs, i carry a separate, small bottle of Gatorade (i am not a fan of Powerade--especially lemon/lime).

in my belt, i carry my ID, lip balm, Gu Chomps and a small flashlight that clips to my shirt (for the dark porta potties). i have the Gatorade hooked on the side. for Disney races, i sometimes carry a small camera. i accidentally forgot it during marathon weekend.

i did wear the belt for the WDW 10k because my DD walked it with me and she wanted Gatorade.

 

[bumbershoot]

I "race" how I train, hydration and fuel wise. I have the Nathan Intensity for water, with my clif electrolyte powder in a small bottle with water (and I drink extra water with each sip), my margarita shot bloks, sports beans, etc. ID, insurance card, credit card, cash... I don't love how the backpack looks but I love what it does for me. But I have a sensitive stomach and can't handle water from just anywhere. I filled my intensity with good bottled spring water ( not just filtered municipal water like dasani) for the recent half, and apart from my having the heinous virus everyone else in orlando had during the run, hydration-wise I was good.