Training Long Runs and Water

[marathonmommy]

How do you all stay hydrated when training and doing your long runs? I think I would feel kind of silly and very sweaty doing that camel thing. Do you carry a water bottle as you run? Can't imagine carrying any extra weight in this heat . . . ugh. Please share your tips!

 

[FFigawi]

Our training group sets up water stations along our routes, so normally I don't have to carry any with me. On the runs where I do have to bring my own, I usually use a Fuel Belt or a CamelBak. The CamelBak is definitely hotter to run with, but it holds a lot more thanthe four bottles on the Fuel Belt. If none of those options is appealing to you, you can always consider stashing water bottles in the bushes somewhere along your route and grabbing them when you get there.

 

[kim3339]

I always use a fuel belt on long runs. It starts out kind of heavy, but when you are at the end of the long run and tired, the belt is lighter, b/c the water/powerade is almost gone. So that is kind of nice. The other thing is that you don't have to fill up all the bottles or fill them up all the way. If I go for a mid distance run, I only use 2 out of the 4 bottles. That makes it lighter as well. I also run really early so I don't get as hot or drink as much. I try to get out, for the long runs, around 4:30.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

This is my hydration belt:

It's made by Nathan - I like having multiple bottles because it means that I can carry both water and a sports drink.

 

[cewait]

Camelbak Flashflow - a waist worn badder device. That gets rid of the heat on the back from the more traditional camelbaks. Or a hand held bottle. Or I do run in a park area wth fountains - but the quality of water is a little iffy

 

[VernRDH]

I have the Race Ready shorts with the pockets sewn across the back at the waist. They hold small (like 5 oz) bottles. I carry 3 of them and that usually gets me through my runs. I looked at the belts, but didn't want the bouncing belt.

 

[Duanerice]

All of the above.

I run close to a park sometmes but heck even some McDonald's have water at the soda area (I have been know to sneak a quick sip of soda too). I also use a fuel belt but rarely use all 4 bottles - 3 at the most. No bounce.

Depends on the day and where I run, but I will keep my car in a strategic location. Go out a few miles come back by the car for a cold refill. Kind of like a hub and spoke, keep coming back to the car then running off in a different direction.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[marathonmommy]

Camelbak Flashflow - a waist worn badder device. That gets rid of the heat on the back from the more traditional camelbaks. Or a hand held bottle. Or I do run in a park area wth fountains - but the quality of water is a little iffy

So does that kind come with a "straw"? I looked it up and don't see one attached in the ads.

 

[Sanchez]

Some sort of personality defect prevents me from carrying water so I have three methods on long runs. First, I run on a track. It is a cushioned surface (excellent for training) and easy to stop and pick up a bottle. The downside is that 18 miles on a track is a bit tedious.

Second, I have developed several routes around my neighborhood where I can pass by my house every few miles.

Third, when the weather does not cooperate I use a treadmill.

 

[rubato]

I set my run up to pass water fountains at my neighborhood parks. I manage to get a drink about every 2 miles, which works out great for me since I can't stand to carry anything with me. I've tried the Camelbak and don't like the chafing on the sides of my chest. The belts ride up on me and having anything weighing down my shorts would drive me crazy.

 

[momof2minnies]

I do my LR in my neighborhood and circle by my mailbox- in the winter it gets a little tricky- never frozen solid though.

Linda

 

[bunnyfoo]

I take a Fuel Belt with me but make sure there are places along my route where I can refill if necessary - Subway or McDonald's. Also run on the shady side of the street, it makes a difference on really long runs.

 

[cewait]

So does that kind come with a "straw"? I looked it up and don't see one attached in the ads.

A tube is a better decription....


http://camelbak.com/sports-recreation/run/2010-flashflo.aspx

Here is a link. I see it now comes in pink.

Mine is 10-11 years old and I am thinking of replacing it soon. I only replaced the badder once and it was mainly due to a design improvement. The original bladder had a 1" opening - not very conducive to adding ice or cleaning if one adds a sport drink.

[ADDED] I may change to the pack with less storage. I carry so little with me now on long runs that the cargo space is a waste. Note the 45 oz = two large cycle bottles.

Also, they do not do a great job of selling the design but the unit has two sets of cinches. The first set cinches the belt to to and I add just a touch to keep it in place. You cinch the first set up witht he second cinches loose. Once you are comfortable with the security of the belt, you reach and pull the bladder cinches tight. This deadens most if not all the bladder movement making the sloshing non-existant. I have 2-3 sets of bottle belts that I gave away last summer in my move. I just hate the sloshing a half empty bottle produces.

The largest negative to the unit is the drinking tube. I loop mine in a small coil on my right hip. It can look a little nerdy but I see a lot of them in August, once I hit the trails and start my serious fall training.

 

[cewait]

Some sort of personality defect prevents me from carrying water so I have three methods on long runs. First, I run on a track. It is a cushioned surface (excellent for training) and easy to stop and pick up a bottle. The downside is that 18 miles on a track is a bit tedious.

Second, I have developed several routes around my neighborhood where I can pass by my house every few miles.

Third, when the weather does not cooperate I use a treadmill.

And can lead to injury by always turning left. Hopefully you alternate direction

 

[MaryJ]

I have the Race Ready shorts with the pockets sewn across the back at the waist. They hold small (like 5 oz) bottles. I carry 3 of them and that usually gets me through my runs. I looked at the belts, but didn't want the bouncing belt.

I have those shorts and never thought about doing that! Do you just get the small squeeze bottles that are sold in the travel section at Target/Wal-Mart? If not, where do you get the bottles?

 

[FireDancer]

I don't like to carry water with me when I run so anything over 10 miles (10 and under I don't need water) I make sure to swing back past my house because I have a water bottle in the mailbox. There is a parkway near me with a water fountain so sometimes I just swing past that a time or two instead.

 

[cryssi]

I use a Nathan Speed 2. It has velcro closure so does not bounce. I do have to say, though, on REALLY hot and/or long runs, you do need to refill it. Those times, I either carry an extra water bottle and toss when it's empty, or swing back home and refill my belt bottles.

 

[leeshiebean]

This is something I wonder about too. I know a lot of people say they use local water fountains or stick water in their mailbox or a friend/relative's front yard. Unfortunately, I live in an apt (so no real mailbox) and since I live just off a very busy road, I can't safely make a loop past the apt, it's merely my start and finish. We also don't live remotely close to family (they're states away!) or even co-workers. Basically all that is to say that if I want water on a run, I need to carry it. I'm at the 4 mile (45 min) point in my training now, and at this point I start to get thirsty on hot/humid runs. I definitely need to start bringing water with me soon. I don't need as much water as a Camelbak holds, but I feel like those would be the most comfortable option.

What are some pros/cons with the hand helds, bottle belts, and packs?

 

[FireDancer]

This is something I wonder about too. I know a lot of people say they use local water fountains or stick water in their mailbox or a friend/relative's front yard. Unfortunately, I live in an apt (so no real mailbox) and since I live just off a very busy road, I can't safely make a loop past the apt, it's merely my start and finish. We also don't live remotely close to family (they're states away!) or even co-workers. Basically all that is to say that if I want water on a run, I need to carry it. I'm at the 4 mile (45 min) point in my training now, and at this point I start to get thirsty on hot/humid runs. I definitely need to start bringing water with me soon. I don't need as much water as a Camelbak holds, but I feel like those would be the most comfortable option.

What are some pros/cons with the hand helds, bottle belts, and packs?

This article has some pros and cons of the three main ways to carry water.

Is running after work an option? When I was still living in FL the office I worked at in Palm Harbor was in a more runner friendly area then my apartment was so I would run after punching out. Maybe stashing a water bottle at the office is an option. We had our own suite entrance so I could run with just a key and keep a bottle just inside the door.

 

[leeshiebean]

This article has some pros and cons of the three main ways to carry water.

Is running after work an option? When I was still living in FL the office I worked at in Palm Harbor was in a more runner friendly area then my apartment was so I would run after punching out. Maybe stashing a water bottle at the office is an option. We had our own suite entrance so I could run with just a key and keep a bottle just inside the door.

That actually may not be a bad idea when I work the early shift, but unfortunately it looks like I'm working evenings the rest of the summer. I'll keep that in mind for the future though. My office is in a nice quiet residential area unlike my apartment, so it would be a lot easier to run here.

Oh and that article is perfect, thanks!