Help a mostly-lurker with a hydration issue. I'm training for a fall marathon--my first. I'm a very slow runner (I'll probably be looking at a 14:00 pace or greater for this marathon), and am heavy (5'3" and 175 lbs). I take in a lot of liquid while running, and like to carry an iphone and a small coin pouch containing ID/cash/CC and a couple of kind bars on long runs.
I received the flipbelt for christmas and LOVE it for short runs--it fits my iphone and id pouch easily. I then carry a bottle of water or gatorade depending on what I need for that run. This tactic doesn't work for long runs where I need more fluid.
For longer runs, I'd been carrying a Nathan angled single-bottle waist pack, that will hold either the water bottle that came with the pack, or any water or gatorade 20-ounce-ish bottle I have. It has a small pouch that fits all of my other needs. I have to wear it at my natural waist, or it sloshes and moves too much. I carry one bottle in the pack, and then carry a second bottle in my hand (and then usually stash a third or fourth bottle on my route--20 mile long runs can take me 5.5 hours).
Last weekend, I ran a half marathon using my one-in-the-pack, one-in-the-hand bottle method. I experienced shortness of breath and heartrate issues starting at mile 8 or 9. This morning, breathing and heartrate issues started before mile 2. I finished the 5-mile loop I was on, experimenting with pace and such. I removed my pack, and realized that the increased weight of the pack (more bars and supplies for a planned longer run) and placement around my belly button was causing the shortness of breath! Yay for not experiencing serious health concerns a month out from my marathon, but now I need a new way to carry fluids.
Help me pick a new hydration system so that I can do my second 20 mile training run next weekend and stop panicking about doing my long runs. I will also probably bring whatever I choose to the marathon itself, as I prefer to drink sip frequently instead of taking in cups of liquid every 2-3 miles.
I'm looking at either the Fitletic Quench retractable hydration belt (fits up to 24-ounce bottles that I'm hoping to be able to wear farther down on my hips), or switching tactics and trying an Ultimate Direction Jenny Ultra Vesta (with an extra bottle of gatorade stashed in the back in lieu of a camelbak style bladder).
Post by bostonmichelle on Sept 20, 2014 18:05:56 GMT -5
I wear the Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belt. I bought the two flask model, but added on a third flask during my half marathon training because it was hot out there. They make a 4 flask model, which would give you 36-40oz of liquid which might be enough with water stops for you. I wear it low, down around my hips and don't have sloshing or other issues with it. I love the pocket and how much you can shove in it.
I bought it on amazon, but saw it at dick's sporting goods so maybe you can try going there or another sports store and trying it on and running around the store a bit. I feel like putting one 24 ounce bottle on your back might be more pressure than spreading the liquid out around your body. I would also look into if you can wear a backpack/vest style water container, it might be that I'm in the Boston area but a number of races have said you can't wear them.
Post by Wines Not Whines on Sept 20, 2014 18:33:59 GMT -5
I use a Nathan Fusion hydration system, which is a belt, bottle, and pouch/pocket system that is fully customizable. You buy all of the parts separately, and you can add or remove more things as needed. I have the belt, 4 bottles, and the large pouch. I could fit a couple more bottles or a second pouch onto it if wanted. I really like how customizable it is. I also like that it closes with a buckle, not Velcro, which feels more secure. You'd have to refill the bottles at water stops though.
In your case. I would also seriously consider a hydration vest/backpack. But make sure your marathon allows you to wear one. Some of them don't, for safety/security reasons.
I only carry the (2 10 ounce) bottles in my fuel belt and just stop to refill on my training runs. Whatever method you use I'd see if you can refill on the course if you are going to carry all of your own water or aim to at least take some water on the course so you don't need to carry that much water.
Post by spunkypenguin on Sept 20, 2014 19:30:55 GMT -5
I used the Nathan 4r belt ( www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009KRPKQS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) for my marathon training - It has four 8oz bottles. I'm heavy-ish and a big drinker also. It's been great. The pouch does not fit my Iphone w/ giant case, so I also have a SPIbelt for that. I put all my gels/fuel in the pouch. I only need to refill if I am going over 14-15 mi. For the actual race, I plan to just bring my handheld and refill as needed - I like being able to sip slower throughout than to drink all at once at each water stop
I use a Camelbak. It works great, is comfortable and doesn't slosh or move around!
I was going to suggest this. I can't wear anything around my waist b/c of back problems. It moves the weight to a different area of your body and distributes it more evenly.
I can't stand waist carrying bottles...I have a Nathan intensity hydration pack and I LOVE it. Even filled with 2 L of water I don't really notice it, plus there are pockets for food, keys, phone, etc
Post by sassystace on Sept 21, 2014 5:53:27 GMT -5
I would not try to carry everything you need but plan routes that pass places you can pickup or refill fuel/liquid. When I do a 20 miler, I carry a 20oz handheld, wear a Spi belt and plan my route so there are three places that I can refill my liquids. One of the stops is back at my car or home where I can grab more fuel and liquids and not carry everything the whole way. The other two spots are public restrooms with drinking fountains.
I wear the Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belt. I bought the two flask model, but added on a third flask during my half marathon training because it was hot out there. They make a 4 flask model, which would give you 36-40oz of liquid which might be enough with water stops for you. I wear it low, down around my hips and don't have sloshing or other issues with it. I love the pocket and how much you can shove in it.
I bought it on amazon, but saw it at dick's sporting goods so maybe you can try going there or another sports store and trying it on and running around the store a bit. I feel like putting one 24 ounce bottle on your back might be more pressure than spreading the liquid out around your body. I would also look into if you can wear a backpack/vest style water container, it might be that I'm in the Boston area but a number of races have said you can't wear them.
Best of luck!
I also use this exact same hydration belt and LOVE it. My iPhone 5 barely fit in it (had to take the case off), and my new iphone 6 BARELY fits (as in a corner of the phone sticks from the pouch). But, until I got the 6, I did love this belt
I would not try to carry everything you need but plan routes that pass places you can pickup or refill fuel/liquid. When I do a 20 miler, I carry a 20oz handheld, wear a Spi belt and plan my route so there are three places that I can refill my liquids. One of the stops is back at my car or home where I can grab more fuel and liquids and not carry everything the whole way. The other two spots are public restrooms with drinking fountains.
THIS for sure. I cannot imagine carrying enough fluids for 5+ hours.. I would be exhausted. I would consider running routes that loop by your car or house where you have additional bottles stashed. What type of fluids do you carry? If Gatorade, you can pre-fill baggies with measured amounts of the powder and carry that instead. Then refill your bottle when you pass a water fountain on your route.
Ditto the re-filling idea rather than trying to carry it all starting from mile 1. I even do that for half training, since my belt only holds 2-7 oz bottles. Places I stop for water: town library, police station/town hall, high school track, YMCA, friends' houses, and even convenience stores/coffee shops/etc. on my route. If we had parks with water (they just have portapotties) that would also be good. Depending on what you're using for calories you may be able to switch to something like Nuun for electrolytes which come in tablets - even easier than powder to make more at a water fountain mid-run.