After screwing up my hydration in my last long race, my new mantra is race like you train. I trained w/the belt all through the hot summer, nursing that bottle and refilling it the whole way. Original plan for race was to wear the belt and refill it as necessary at aid stations. After getting some third party advice, for the race, I decided I would just rely on the aid stations. Result:: ran through aid stations trying to drink out of a cup = not enough water. Next time, I go with the original plan. For what it's worth.
1/2 Marys = too short for me to screw up nutrition. On the last one I did, I drank some purple mystery beverage I've never consumed before and was completely fine.
1/2 Marys = too short for me to screw up nutrition.
My thoughts exactly. Go into the race well hydrated and topped off and frankly, you probably don't even need most of the aid stations unless it's gonna be a super hot day.
I've run one ultra, 15 marathons, 4 halfs, and around 10,000 miles training. Only a few of those miles have been without my hydration belt. Anytime I run without it, I feel naked. Often I carry it without using it, but I could if I wanted to.
It allows me to drink when I can. Too many aid statiions are at the top of a hill - I cant drink when my HR is 15 points too high. I also use the belt to hold hat or gloves if the weather is cool/cold. Lets me have easy access to Gu.....
Since I always train with it, the extra 1.5 lb water is no different than the bulge some of us have around the middle - except I can drink it!
I use my fuel belt on long training runs, more than 10 miles, when A) I have not convinced someone I am running with to leave water along the route, or it is warm enough that I am not wearing a jacket and can't shove a fuel belt bottle in the pocket. I can't imagine the race scenario where I would want one. If there are aid station in the half, even every 3 miles you should be fine. Depending on how fast you run, might not want anything other than water for a half. I would likely go with water and then one gel about 6 miles in. Anything you eat in the last 30-40 minutes is not going to help while you are running anyhow.
I've only used a fuel belt in one IM once as it was hot and in reality I didn't even need it there. There are so many aid stations at most races I can't see a need for it.
Not now, but after running a hot 1/2 marathon in (I think) NC 5 or 6 years ago, where they ran out of water at about mile 5, I wore one. Lots of odd looks, but I wanted/needed it as a crutch. But not any more.
Thanks everyone for your responses. Love the community!
Decided to run with 2 bottle belt becasue of the crowd. 3500 runners on a small island off the coast of South Carolina. Spent a good many miles on narrow bike paths in which some water stations were located. As you can imagine...oh the bottle neck! Probably saved me minutes by not having to "wait and manuever" through the people. Even though I really didn't drink much it was nice to have the ability to when I wanted a swig.
Unless it's brutally hot and humid and I want to be sure I have what I need when I need it, I don't wear one anymore. I walk through the stops where I want to eat/drink... to avoid spillage. The 20 or 30" slow down doesn't hurt my overall time... in fact, it probably helps as I get a little rest. I can almost always (unless we're talking marathon distance) "make up" the time and get my avg pace back to where it was before the walk break.
I dehydrate quickly because I have a ridiculous sweat rate. So, I use a 2 or 4 bottle fuel belt for half-marathons depending on heat. In addition to allowing me to control exactly what drink I carry (they don't usually have Infinit on the course) and when I drink, I can skip the crowded aid stations and only grab something to pour over my head. For me, the ability to keep my rhythm rather than having to break stride and dodge others is worth the extra pound or two, but anyone who has seen me run would never take advice from me on that subject.
I used to but i don't any more - I take 2 gels - one for the hour mark and one for 1:30 and that's it. water for the first half, then gatorade for the second.
I don't use one for a half mary. I just make sure I'm well hydrated and carry a disposable bottle with gatorade. I like to gradually sip it over the first 6 miles and not slow down or stop at aid stations. Then I throw it in trash at an aid station when empty. If it is really hot (over 80F) I might refill it at an aid station (only takes about 10 seconds) just to make sure I've got liquid for the last part of the race. Since I usually care a bottle in my hand on long runs, it is no big deal to race with it.
Comments
After screwing up my hydration in my last long race, my new mantra is race like you train. I trained w/the belt all through the hot summer, nursing that bottle and refilling it the whole way. Original plan for race was to wear the belt and refill it as necessary at aid stations. After getting some third party advice, for the race, I decided I would just rely on the aid stations. Result:: ran through aid stations trying to drink out of a cup = not enough water. Next time, I go with the original plan. For what it's worth.
My thoughts exactly. Go into the race well hydrated and topped off and frankly, you probably don't even need most of the aid stations unless it's gonna be a super hot day.
I've run one ultra, 15 marathons, 4 halfs, and around 10,000 miles training. Only a few of those miles have been without my hydration belt. Anytime I run without it, I feel naked. Often I carry it without using it, but I could if I wanted to.
It allows me to drink when I can. Too many aid statiions are at the top of a hill - I cant drink when my HR is 15 points too high. I also use the belt to hold hat or gloves if the weather is cool/cold. Lets me have easy access to Gu.....
Since I always train with it, the extra 1.5 lb water is no different than the bulge some of us have around the middle - except I can drink it!
Like I said n=1 answer.
I use my gel of choice and take water at the aid stations.
I use my fuel belt on long training runs, more than 10 miles, when A) I have not convinced someone I am running with to leave water along the route, or
it is warm enough that I am not wearing a jacket and can't shove a fuel belt bottle in the pocket. I can't imagine the race scenario where I would want one. If there are aid station in the half, even every 3 miles you should be fine. Depending on how fast you run, might not want anything other than water for a half. I would likely go with water and then one gel about 6 miles in. Anything you eat in the last 30-40 minutes is not going to help while you are running anyhow.
For training I do use it often though.
Not now, but after running a hot 1/2 marathon in (I think) NC 5 or 6 years ago, where they ran out of water at about mile 5, I wore one. Lots of odd looks, but I wanted/needed it as a crutch. But not any more.
Thanks everyone for your responses. Love the community!
Decided to run with 2 bottle belt becasue of the crowd. 3500 runners on a small island off the coast of South Carolina. Spent a good many miles on narrow bike paths in which some water stations were located. As you can imagine...oh the bottle neck! Probably saved me minutes by not having to "wait and manuever" through the people. Even though I really didn't drink much it was nice to have the ability to when I wanted a swig.