Hydration vest on race day, yes or no?
Djproulx
Posts: 3,084 Member
During marathon training, my coach has hammered home the need for us to stay on top of fueling during longer events. As a result, I have been wearing a UD race vest to carry liquid fuels, gels, shot bloks and the like during our long training runs.
My question: Does anyone here wear a vest during the actual race itself, or do you rely soley on aid station fueling?
My question: Does anyone here wear a vest during the actual race itself, or do you rely soley on aid station fueling?
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If it is what you have been using to train with then you use it to race with. That way you have all the fueling you need, when you need it, and aren't reliant on the aid stations for anything.
I personally always use my race vests for all long distance races.0 -
I use a water belt (with a pouch for fuel and my phone) during training. Depending on the race, I may leave it at home and use aid stations or I may take it with me and race with it. It's important to remember that it's your race; you trained for it. Do what feels right to you and don't worry about what others are doing.
No one is going to bat an eyelash when you do you. 0 -
"Nothing new on race day." But if the vest isn't new, and since you have been using it in your training, not using it would be something new, so, of course, you should use it. Personally, in training for my Half Marathon, I used a hydration belt holding two water bottles, my phone, used for music and/or an emergency, and gel packs. Of course I wore it during the race.1
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I train with a hydration belt, and I wear it for races longer than 5 miles. A buddy uses a hydration vest, and wears it during marathons and half marathons . . . but Boston doesn't allow backpacks of any kind, including hydration vests. The upshot was he had a sub-optimal hydration plan for Boston 2014 and got dehydrated, ending up in the medical tent. Happy ending, he finished Boston 2016 in good shape. I think he was taking fluid at every aid station in 2016.0
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My open road races have been at the half marathon distance, which I've handled by carrying a couple gels and taking water from aid stations. My only longer event experience comes from racing a number of 70.3 distance tri's. That's a different game, since bike fueling is easier to manage.
I'm leaning towards wearing the vest for the Va Beach marathon in March. Since this will be my first marathon, I'm sure I'll learn something either way.
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.0 -
My open road races have been at the half marathon distance, which I've handled by carrying a couple gels and taking water from aid stations. My only longer event experience comes from racing a number of 70.3 distance tri's. That's a different game, since bike fueling is easier to manage.
I'm leaning towards wearing the vest for the Va Beach marathon in March. Since this will be my first marathon, I'm sure I'll learn something either way.
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
The argument against carrying water in races is that the extra weight slows you down. While that is certainly an effect, I believe it's a minor effect and that I would lose more time at aid stations than from the weight of carrying my own. My belief is based on the fact that I'm not very good at grabbing water from the wax paper cups, and that I could see myself gaining 6 steps per aid station on a runner ahead of me at a half. He was better at taking the aid station water than I am, but it still slowed him down. The other thing is, if I carry my own water I have it when I want to take a gel, instead of having to time my gels by where the aid stations are.
Different runners will make different choices based on their own competencies and personal preferences. If you understand what the pros and cons are, you are more likely to make a choice that is good for you personally.0 -
@MobyCarp - You've captured the debate I've been having with myself. My vest carries soft bottles and is only 5 oz when empty, so weight isn't a big deal. Its also the convenience around nutrient timing and the ability to consume known fuels & liquids that has me thinking of wearing it.
My only talent at aid stations is dumping water over my head. Actually getting a full cup of water down my throat in a timely manner is an infrequent occurrence.
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I wear a hydration belt in training and in races longer than 5 miles as well. I did get a hydration backpack now that I'm running longer distances for the upcoming summer. I think my longest trail run last year was 11 to 12 miles and I completely depleted my 20 oz of liquids in the belt. It's freaking hot here in Texas so I plan to train and do trail races with the pack come summer. However, I do prefer the hydration belt. It's quieter and takes less space on my body.
I certainly have seen people wear those in races. So, unless there is a rule against them, I would race in what you've trained in...especially if you are comfortable wearing it.0 -
@MobyCarp what hydration belt do you use? I've been thinking about going the hydration belt route for my marathon/training, since There's a chance it could get pretty hot (black flag warning) at my marathon, and having the extra water/hydration would be nice.0
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »@MobyCarp what hydration belt do you use? I've been thinking about going the hydration belt route for my marathon/training, since There's a chance it could get pretty hot (black flag warning) at my marathon, and having the extra water/hydration would be nice.
FWIW I use this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EI0XMO8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Snug it tight and it doesn't move around. Carries two 16 oz. bottles, has a pouch for my I Phone 6 and gels. Wearing it in my photo ;-)1 -
Regarding hot weather choices, I used to train with a belt, but found that it didn't hold enough volume (2 10 oz bottles), since I'm a heavy sweater.
My race vest has a mono screen back, so it allows airflow. For hydration and cooling, the 2 soft bottles provide 32oz capacity in front plus several pockets for gels, salt tabs, etc. When it gets hot, I can put another frozen soft bottle in one of the rear zippered pockets. That way, I get cooling benefits and can swap out as bottles are consumed.
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »@MobyCarp what hydration belt do you use? I've been thinking about going the hydration belt route for my marathon/training, since There's a chance it could get pretty hot (black flag warning) at my marathon, and having the extra water/hydration would be nice.
I have 2 belts. The older Nathan belt is something like this. It holds 2 bottles, and came with 10 oz. bottles. But there seems to be a design flaw in the 10 oz. bottles, as they spring leaks on the seams after a while. Newer Nathan belts use 8 oz. bottles that are billed as more insulating, but are externally a bit bigger than the 10 oz. Right now I use this with a 10 oz. bottle of water and an 8 oz. bottle of Nuun. That's enough to get me through a half in reasonable weather.
The other belt is an Amphipod like this, only it has 4 bottles. The bottles are 10 oz., and don't have the weak seams problem the Nathon 10 oz. bottles have. However, instead of sliding into an elastic holder like the Natath, you squeeze the Amphipod bottles to clip them in. That works well in the summer, not so well in cool or cold water when the plastic isn't as flexible. In warm weather, I've worn this one with 3 bottles to train, 4 bottles for 20+ mile runs and my failed attempt at the Rochester Marathon. As with the Nathan belt, I can put water in one or two bottles and Nuun in one or two. That gives me electrolyte drink and water to chase gels while on the run.
I also have a belt that holds one 20 oz. bottle diagonally in the small of the back. That's great for balance and not noticing the water weight, not so hot for accessing the water at race pace. After attempting one race in that one and finding that I got tired enough to stop at an aid station rather than get the water bottle out of the belt, it got relegated to lawn mowing duty.
Bottom line, you just have to try things and see what works for you. Best case, you find a marketing event at a running store that lets you use a demo model and see how it works on the run.0 -
Thanks @MobyCarp I was looking at the nathansport one, actually, I have a 10oz flask from that I used and works well, but need more water for those longer runs. Hard part for me is that pretty much all running stuff is internet order, since the closest running store is 60 miles away, and I don't get down there very often.
The amphipod one looks really good too. How hard was it to get used to squeezing the bottles to put them back? The 2 bottle looks like one I might like to try out for my training/marathon0 -
MNLittleFinn wrote: »Thanks @MobyCarp I was looking at the nathansport one, actually, I have a 10oz flask from that I used and works well, but need more water for those longer runs. Hard part for me is that pretty much all running stuff is internet order, since the closest running store is 60 miles away, and I don't get down there very often.
The amphipod one looks really good too. How hard was it to get used to squeezing the bottles to put them back? The 2 bottle looks like one I might like to try out for my training/marathon
Putting the bottles back on the Amphipod belt takes some practice. It's fairly easy to get the wrong prongs into the holes from the bottle, and it took me several runs to figure out how to do that by feel. But the gripping hand is, you will have a lot of weather when it's just too cold to deal with the bottles needing to flex to come off the belt and go back on. That's not an issue with the way the Nathan belt works.
The attraction of the Amphipod belt for me was, a) 10 oz. bottles without the leaking problem that Nathan 10 oz. had; b) 4 bottles, when I knew 2 was not enough for a full marathon. The down side turned out to be, I don't really want to use the Amphipod system when it's below 40º F; but at temperatures that low, I can live with 10 oz. of water plus 8 oz. of Nuun.0 -
The Amphipod belts are nice because several are fully modular, so you can remove all of the pouches and bottle holsters to reconfigure your belt or add/replace components. Most belts have the pouches and holsters stitched in place, so it is nearly impossible to add or replace components.
Before my first run using an amphipod belt I spent five minutes clipping the bottles in and out. I have also used it in single digit weather. The trick in cold weather is to slip your thumb between the bottle and clip. Sometimes with the new Xtech bottles I have to use my other hand to pull the clip open.
For most races I only carry a single bottle and refill it on the run, if needed. As I approach the aid station I open the bottle and hold the cap in my mouth. Then I grab a cup, pinch the top of the cup a little to form a funnel, dump it in the bottle, toss the cup and put the cap back on. Completely done within 20 feet.1 -
I carried water on my first marathon, but then ended up not using it. The water tables were every two miles, which was enough, and I was alternating Gatorade and water. My next race had water every two miles for the first half, then every mile for the second half. Even better. I didn't bring any, and ended up needing it since it was a hot day on a shadeless course. I both overheated and got dehydrated. The race I'll be doing this Spring has water every 3 miles, so I think I'll bring water since if it's at all hot, or if I end up walking toward the end, I'm going to need something. I train with a 20 or 32 oz. bottle in a fanny pack, which usually works for me unless it's really hot and I need more.0
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@MobyCarp is this the one: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Amphipod_RunLite_4_Hydration_Belt/descpage-AMS4.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAlZDFBRCKncm67qihiHwSJABtoNIgKYk75nUT1YBmVZsk2Kcbq3CS3gdl1qsT6w3REtl3uBoCUx3w_wcB
I was thinking that one looked pretty cool0 -
MNLittleFinn wrote: »@MobyCarp is this the one: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Amphipod_RunLite_4_Hydration_Belt/descpage-AMS4.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAlZDFBRCKncm67qihiHwSJABtoNIgKYk75nUT1YBmVZsk2Kcbq3CS3gdl1qsT6w3REtl3uBoCUx3w_wcB
I was thinking that one looked pretty cool
Very similar. My pouch looks different, with loops to hold gels; but the loops don't work very well. The bottles are modular, as was noted upthread.0 -
In road racing up to marathon I don't take hydration with me as the event will have regular drink stations.
In trail races greater than 10km I will take a backpack or handheld. The hydration backpacks slow you down and make you sweat more, so if I can avoid carrying I will.
My sweat rate is quite high at about 9 litres per marathon so I know I'm not going to still be fully hydrated at the end of any race.1 -
@Jeff_01022014 you bring up a point that always has me debating buying a hydration belt. I'm pretty much a road runner (for now, next season might be different) So I'm always wondering if I actually need the extra water, since there's water/powerade every 2 miles at my marathon and actually every mile starting mile 19.0
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »@Jeff_01022014 you bring up a point that always has me debating buying a hydration belt. I'm pretty much a road runner (for now, next season might be different) So I'm always wondering if I actually need the extra water, since there's water/powerade every 2 miles at my marathon and actually every mile starting mile 19.
I'd rather carry the water and have it when/if I need it than not have it when I want/need it. I carry it when I train, I carry it when I "race".1 -
I'm starting to think that maybe I haven't run far enough to see if I'll be wanting it. Maybe once I get into the 16-18 mile runs I'll be feeling the need for it more. Of course it's also cool/cold out now, so it skews how much water I feel I need.I'd rather carry the water and have it when/if I need it than not have it when I want/need it. I carry it when I train, I carry it when I "race".
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I learned while with Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, who, I believe, learned from the Israeli Army, that a body under stress in heat needs a liter (litre) of water every hour to be efficient. Your need for hydration come much earlier than you FEEL you need it. I may not finish all the water I carry, but I got it if I need it. Which is a whole lot better than needing it and not having it. Again, since I train with the belt, I should "race" with the belt.2
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Very true.I learned while with Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, who, I believe, learned from the Israeli Army, that a body under stress in heat needs a liter (litre) of water every hour to be efficient. Your need for hydration come much earlier than you FEEL you need it. I may not finish all the water I carry, but I got it if I need it. Which is a whole lot better than needing it and not having it. Again, since I train with the belt, I should "race" with the belt.
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I learned while with Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, who, I believe, learned from the Israeli Army, that a body under stress in heat needs a liter (litre) of water every hour to be efficient. Your need for hydration come much earlier than you FEEL you need it. I may not finish all the water I carry, but I got it if I need it. Which is a whole lot better than needing it and not having it. Again, since I train with the belt, I should "race" with the belt.
Anecdotal confirmation: I have a running buddy who actually completed the Boston Marathon in 2014 (~50º F) with a poor hydration plan. He ended up in a medical tent with an IV for fluids because of dehydration, and could not enjoy the post-race food. By the time he felt the need for water, it was too late to fix the problem the easy way. (Not that this has any direct bearing on a hydration belt; Boston has aid stations every mile.)0 -
I'm by no means an expert marathon runner, but my thinking has been to carry my own fuel (chews or gu) because I don't want to risk gastro-intestinal problems with some new fuel I've never used during the race, and rely on water at the aid stations for hydration.
As for training, when I do have to carry my own liquid, I just got this and really like it. I've only done one run with it though. Previously I had a FuelBelt and in my opinion it was awful. The velcro closure didn't last long and had an annoying habit of popping off during runs. The clip on the Amphipod is much better.0 -
When I first started marathons, I used a hydration pack. My first marathon I used a hydration belt w/ 4 x 6oz bottles. The overall weight was lighter, and I was able to keep the same hydration plan when I was training with the pack. Also, later in the race when my bottles were getting low, I just grabbed water and filled up a bottle or 2. I lost about 30 seconds in overall time (time at water stop less how long it would have taken me if just passing through at avg pace). Something I learned from this:
1. I had trained in really hot weather, and the pack on my back did nothing to help with my body trying to cool itself.
2. For the marathon with NO pack, even though the weather was as hot as many of my training days, I consumed considerably less water because my body was able to cool more efficiently. Now, maybe I was doing something wrong with the pack...but I wore a running hydration pack...so who knows
My second marathon I had trained with the pack again. However, for the race, I just used each water stop instead of carrying a hydration belt or pack. I initially had some issues when I started out, since I was used to hydration on demand. But overall I had no issues with the gap between stations. I was a lot more exhausted at the end of the race though.
For my marathon after that, although I still trained with the pack, I timed my hydration to be in line with hydration stops at the race. This was the most beneficial thing I have ever done. It was awesome. I definitely subscribe to timed hydration and fueling for training and racing, making sure training matches race. I don't subscribe to items though, except for running shoes...I'll never wear different shoes on race day.0 -
You have to run your own race; after all, you're only really racing yourself. For instance, the marathon I'm signed up for in May have changed energy drink supplier and they are now supplied in paper cups, rather than lidded bottles as previously. So I will ditch the energy drinks, stick to water (which still comes in a bottle) and carry extra gels with me.
If you're not sure, why not try the aid station method on one of your long runs? My aid stations are 3 miles apart, so I would pick a 3-mile route going past my house and leave drinks for myself on the front wall. Alternatively, you could carry the water as you do now, but only consume it when you would be at an aid station. If you can get away with it, there are several advantages, and if not then at least you'll be sure of your choice.0 -
That's a great idea. I'll have to look at trying that on one of my runs.rightoncommander wrote: »If you're not sure, why not try the aid station method on one of your long runs? My aid stations are 3 miles apart, so I would pick a 3-mile route going past my house and leave drinks for myself on the front wall.0 -
During marathon training, my coach has hammered home the need for us to stay on top of fueling during longer events. As a result, I have been wearing a UD race vest to carry liquid fuels, gels, shot bloks and the like during our long training runs.
My question: Does anyone here wear a vest during the actual race itself, or do you rely soley on aid station fueling?
In my case, no. First, I've generally ditched carrying water for any run under 10 miles...summer...winter does not matter. On longer runs beyond 16 miles; yes, I'll carry water unless I can set things up to pass one or more water bottles to assist in hydration. I have a Camelbak with 70 oz. capacity that I may carry if I'm not running a multi-lap loop or out and back route where I can set things up for a periodic pass for water. Here's the key...on those runs where I take water, I drink at the same relative interval to the race I'm training for. But in the race, I have no interest in carrying 4-5 pounds with me over the beginning of a marathon where energy management is so critical.
Let me give my most recent example.
I trained to run the Venice Marathon...a flat course run in October. My training up to two weeks before the marathon was all my local training terrain in the North Carolina heat and humidity. But unlike many of the marathons and half-marathons that I've run where the water/hydration stations are at two mile intervals, there they were at 5km intervals (3.1 miles) in that marathon. As my training distances increased, I practiced rehydration at 5km intervals. I was well-served by practicing that interval because I was accustomed to the longer distance between stations. My body/mind was adapted to the greater distance. When I got to Italy, I purchased some of the energy gels and drinks that were being used in the race to make sure there were no issues.
Yes, I PR'd that race by nearly 18 minutes and was 31 minutes faster than the previous marathon that I ran in the spring.
One other thing about fueling. Less than 16 training miles, no supplemental fueling for me. I might carry one or two gels for those 18-20 miles run. I also tend to run fasted for those longer runs. That way, my body is "dependent" upon a constant supply of carbs for the longer distance. I will do one of the three 20 mile runs to test the fueling plan. On race day, the gels and the energy drink become the additional fuel that my body drinks up because it was trained to operate long distances without it.
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