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How do you stay hydrated during training?

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Author Topic:   How do you stay hydrated during training?
pdstein
Member
posted Aug-18-2007 01:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pdstein     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This morning I completed my 4th week of training for my first marathon with my longest run so far – 9 miles. I'm wondering - how do you stay hydrated during training? I assume that during the actual marathon there are hydration stations spaced throughout the course. But when training I guess you either have to take water with you or plan your route so that there places to stop for water. Carrying water while running seems like it would be a nuisance, sloshing around and all. So, is the best option just to run short loops and have water outside waiting for you?

The other question is how much to drink how often? And what's the best thing to drink? If anyone’s got any advice on this, I'd appreciate it.

- Paul


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Training for my first marathon

[This message has been edited by pdstein (edited Aug-18-2007).]

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PkPanther34
Cool Runner
posted Aug-18-2007 01:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PkPanther34   Click Here to Email PkPanther34     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Paul,

While I am NOT an expert by any means, I will share what I do. First of all, everybody is different. Me personally, I sweat like crazy in the heat, and I have to carry water/gatorade with me or I will dehydrate quickly. I use a fuel belt, and carry 2-4 bottles with me depending on how long I will be out.

I prefer to carry water instead of running short loops (short attention span, I guess). As for how much. . .I've always heard to drink something every 15 minutes or so, but I usually take a few sips about every mile (once again, depending on how hot it is).

I drink gatorade and accelerade on long runs, because I lose about 5 pounds of fluid in an hour run, I drink about 28 ounces while I am out there.

I would experiment drinking different things, amounts, times, etc. until you find what works best for you.

Latonya

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kyoutdoors
Cool Runner
posted Aug-18-2007 05:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kyoutdoors   Click Here to Email kyoutdoors     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm no expert either, but for my long rungs, (I'm training for a 1/2M) I have a hydration pack. I don't like holding stuff in my hands and the fuel belt doesn't appeal to me. I have a camel back with a chest strap and I can hardly tell it's there. Plus I can carry other stuff, like toilet paper, just in case! I thought it would slosh, but you just bleed out the air before you start and you have no trouble.

You just have to try a couple things. I had a handheld strappy thing and after 3 miles I just don't want to hold it anymore.

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Kegan36604
Cool Runner
posted Aug-18-2007 06:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kegan36604   Click Here to Email Kegan36604     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You're correct about carrying a water bottle being a nuisance. I tried a CamelBack 'fanny pack' style pack and found it only slightly less a pain.

For long runs, I have used two methods (and in order of preference):

1. I run loops. Typically four miles or two miles. This way I pass my car every so often and will grab a water when necessary and keep going.

2. I stash water along the course, in the case of a long out and back. Takes a little extra planning, but it is better than falling out from thirst.

My only somewhat frustrating experience with the second option is when I stashed water along a 6 mile loop around a lake/park. I did so because I had to park some distance away from the run trail. Apparently after I stashed it the landscaping crew came up to mow the lawn and picked up what they figured was 'trash'. Oh well, best laid plans....

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protoplasm72
Cool Runner
posted Aug-18-2007 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for protoplasm72     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've got a 4 bottle amphipod belt. Today I did 18 miles with 3 bottles of water and 1 of gatorade and 2 Gu's. It was only 65 degrees on the run but I ended with half a bottle of water and half of gatorade left. If it were hot I'd probably add another bottle or 2. After the first mile you completely forget you're wearing the belt.

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Me

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pdstein
Member
posted Aug-20-2007 01:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pdstein     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by PkPanther34:
While I am NOT an expert by any means, I will share what I do. First of all, everybody is different.

This seems to be the case. Seems like everyone is different and what works for one person is an annoyance for another. In that case, the best strategy is probably to try different things and see what works best for me.

Thanks to everyone whose shared what they do so far. I say, the more different ideas and perspectives we can hear from the better.

- Paul

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Training for my first marathon

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Silly Bear
Cool Runner
posted Aug-20-2007 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Silly Bear   Click Here to Email Silly Bear     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by protoplasm72:
It was only 65 degrees on the run

What I wouldn't do for that! I'm happy if it's below 75 (and feel oddly invigorated). And this is long before dawn; once the sun pops up we hit ninety right quick, and this old man is NOT running in that unless I have to.

Nice thread, everyone is different. I carry a water bottle sometimes (it has a hand strap) but don't really "like" to. Mostly I just have been keeping my runs to an hour or so this summer.

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Patriotsr1
Cool Runner
posted Aug-20-2007 06:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Patriotsr1   Click Here to Email Patriotsr1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hey Paul,

Most of my runs I do not drink, unless it is more than 1.5hrs. (or over 100degrees). But on my longer runs I also find a loop (2 miles is about right for me between gulps) and have a gallon of water and ice sitting in my vehicle. This past weekends run (21 miles, 80 degrees 75% humidity) I easily finished off that water and luckily I had a quart backup of ice water . In the past I used to run med long runs with a camelbak....wasn't that bad except for the sloshing sound....or was that my belly? anyway, good luck with your training, and hope you find something that works for you.
Paul

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Patriotsr1

my log

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