Running Advice

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Replies

  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I run all my training runs (up to 22 miles) with neither food nor water. You just don't need it.
    No, YOU just don't need it. It's absurd to assume everyone's hydration and nutrition needs are the same. The OP will learn what works for him through trial and error--presumably the same way you did.

    I have to take water on every run as a dry throat sets my asthma off. I tend to carry a water bottle but if it long distance like Tough Mudder I carry a water bladder.
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    so basically everyone is different, and no two training runs are the same, so learn what you like and don't like.

    ^^This^^

    The only thing I carry on my run is a few jolly rancher hard candies. I have found having one of those keeps my mouth from getting dry (I'm a mouth breather LOL) and trying to carry water just weighs me down.
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    I run all my training runs (up to 22 miles) with neither food nor water. You just don't need it.
    No, YOU just don't need it. It's absurd to assume everyone's hydration and nutrition needs are the same. The OP will learn what works for him through trial and error--presumably the same way you did.

    I have to take water on every run as a dry throat sets my asthma off. I tend to carry a water bottle but if it long distance like Tough Mudder I carry a water bladder.

    Have you tried a hard candy or something to chew or suck on that keeps your saliva going? I found that works for me and keeps me from carrying the water. :-)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I run all my training runs (up to 22 miles) with neither food nor water. You just don't need it.
    No, YOU just don't need it. It's absurd to assume everyone's hydration and nutrition needs are the same. The OP will learn what works for him through trial and error--presumably the same way you did.

    I have to take water on every run as a dry throat sets my asthma off. I tend to carry a water bottle but if it long distance like Tough Mudder I carry a water bladder.

    Have you tried a hard candy or something to chew or suck on that keeps your saliva going? I found that works for me and keeps me from carrying the water. :-)

    Same for me. Gum does wonders when it's really dry out, especially the first couple of miles while my body settles in.
  • davehahn98
    davehahn98 Posts: 3 Member
    I run all my training runs (up to 22 miles) with neither food nor water. You just don't need it.
    No, YOU just don't need it. It's absurd to assume everyone's hydration and nutrition needs are the same. The OP will learn what works for him through trial and error--presumably the same way you did.

    Well, Carson is correct. Also, we don't know what the OP's definition of "long run" is. I run fasted up to 18 miles - you just don't need anything except maybe a swig or two of water. Save your money!

    I am going to have to agree here. While everyone is a "special snow flake", we're more alike than people think. I think that by and large, a human is a human :)
  • Chevy_Quest
    Chevy_Quest Posts: 2,012 Member
    There are several options for carrying food and drink, and people's preferences are going to vary widely--only you can figure out which of these will work best for you:

    1. Fuel belt. Come with differing number of bottles, and often a zip pouch you can stick gels, chews, keys, or whatever in. I tried this, didn't like having something around my waist.

    2. Hand-held bottle. Have a band that slips over your hand so it's easier to carry, the carrier also often has a pocket or two. I don't care for these, either--makes me feel uneven to have weight in one hand but not the other, but many people love them.

    3. Bike jersey, vest, or jacket. Cycling gear virtually always has nice deep pockets in the back (some zip, most don't). They'll hold food, phone, keys, and small bottles (I use one of the flat bottles made for the fuel belts--fits snug against the small of my back and isn't noticeable). My favorite.

    4. Hydration pack. Best for long runs (I use mine for runs of over 2-3 hours, depending on temps). Holds a bladder for fluid and often has pockets for food.

    5. Don't carry anything (except maybe a few bucks) and run where you know there are water fountains or a convenience store. Or set up laps that go past your house or car, and stop for a drink/food there. Some people stash water bottles on their route ahead of time, and pick them up during their run.

    You may need to test out a few options before you figure out what's best for you. Best of luck with your running!

    ^^^QFT Very Helpful! Thanks!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Just to take a step back...

    There is a big difference between what people need to run well and what people like/prefer to have with them. Some people in this thread are talking about what they prefer, what's more comfortable, and what's reassuring to have with them. And that's fine. Other people are talking about what your body physically needs to perform reasonable well. That's also fine.

    Both points have merit, it just depends on what you're trying to learn/take away from this thread.
  • stephen4232
    stephen4232 Posts: 1,583 Member
    I was looking for advice.....but feeling a bit confused now.......HELP
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I was looking for advice.....but feeling a bit confused now.......HELP

    Advice on what? What your body needs or what people prefer? They are different. Your body needs very little. What people prefer varies widely.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    We all have our different preferences. And guess what? We had to try different things and see what worked best. There's plenty of suggestions on here, but you will have to try some to see how they work for YOU.
  • Chevy_Quest
    Chevy_Quest Posts: 2,012 Member
    I am positively stunned by the quick, coherent, and very helpful responses to this thread. I have learned a lot and I will keep referring to this thread as I am a "beginning runner"

    Thanks everyone! :smile:
  • stephen4232
    stephen4232 Posts: 1,583 Member
    Sorry didn't mean to be smart....I have learned a lot from this thread.

    I guess it is a lot about trial and error as what works for me might not necessarily work for someone else.

    Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and constructive comments.
  • Greywalk
    Greywalk Posts: 193 Member
    OK taking this form your prespective. here is some information....
    Lesson One (learned by me)

    1. Not all runners have the same requirements.
    2. For instance I am a camel when running but my daughter is not. I run without food or water for miles at mile 3 or 5 she must have water and at mile 6 food is an absolute must.
    3. Lesson from 1 and 2 only you can determine your individual requirement for food and water. Experiment until you find out. I will tell you early on I cached water at the 5 (8K) mile mark and the 10 (16K) mile mark because I had run enough 5Ks to know I did not need it for the 3 mile.

    Lesson Two (learned by me)
    1. I cannot run and drink or eat I can walk and do them but not run.
    2. Others can run and eat, drink, talk, etc.

    Lesson Three (learned by me)
    1. Fuel belts make me feel uncomfortable, same for water belts.
    2. two weeks of running with them did not make the feeling go away.
    3. Most of the time people will not touch your cached supplies.
    4. caching works for me...but see lesson 1...I am a camel.

    Summary: Experiment as only you can determine what works for you. But do so safely with a buddy or a friend giving you a hand. In my case it was my wife who saw me through this part.

    Hope that has helped and cuts out all the reading.
  • QueenMother14
    QueenMother14 Posts: 438 Member
    Since I started running in the summer, I made it a habit to always take a 16-20 oz bottle of water with me. Normally, I'd only have a little, but it was mostly for the moment that I was done. The moment I'm done, I want to chug liquids like a frat boy. Carrying a bottle with me isn't going to weigh me down that much. I would get overheated quickly, also, so I like knowing that if I get too hot, the water can cool me down a little too. Now that its colder out, I don't really need it, and only take a bottle with me on my Sunday long runs which are over an hour.

    that's just my own personal experience.

    I always have to carry water with me as well. My mouth gets dry even though I am breathing through my nose. The summer is really bad.
  • blgerig
    blgerig Posts: 174 Member

    I guess it is a lot about trial and error as what works for me might not necessarily work for someone else.

    Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and constructive comments.

    It is definitely about trial and error! Here is what works for me:

    In the summer (90 degrees+ and humid where I live) I take water if I am running more than 4 miles. Winter probably closer to 6. If I am running more than 8 miles I will usually have some fuel halfway through. I like the honey stinger gel packets because it is the same consistency/taste as just having honey and I don't want to have to chew on gummies, etc. I have a 12 oz hand held ergonomic bottle, I don't like having a belt around my waist while I run.

    Go to a running store and try some different options as you start to do longer runs. Good luck!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    I was looking for advice.....but feeling a bit confused now.......HELP

    okay... here

    running_water_bottle1.jpg

    i run with this. it carries water, the strap makes so that it is attached to my hand, and not that i have to grip it all the time. i throw my keys, a gel pack, and my cell phone in the zippered pouch.

    some people prefer this

    nike-running-hydration-pack.jpg

    it has a few water bottle attachements. the bonus is that you can make it so you have two containers of water, and one of electrolyte drink. it also has a zipper compartment.

    i like the bottle because i guess i don't like the idea of running with something around my waist. my experience with that is that it either rides up or droops down.
  • chard_muncher
    chard_muncher Posts: 75 Member
    Your physical ability shouldn't decline sans water unless you're running for upwards of ~2 hours (less during heat, obviously). Beyond that it's personal preference.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I don't generally carry anything unless the run will exceed 2 hrs (unless it's very hot...) but it's really a matter of personal choice. I see runners guzzling water during relatively short runs, personally I hate the feeling of water sloshing around in my stomach. When I do drink it's small sips.

    I use a fuel belt with 2 x 12 oz flasks for longer runs, with the exception of really hot weather I don't think I've ever finished a whole bottle of water.

    During a race of 10km or longer I will usually grab water from the water stations and at least take a sip but your intensity during a race is much higher than a normal training run.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I generally only take liquids if I'm going to be out longer than 90minutes. I don't enjoy carrying things when I run (including the various belts and doodahs devised for keeping them out of my hands). I'm hoping to wean myself off needing them at all.
  • LiveEnjoyEndure
    LiveEnjoyEndure Posts: 98 Member
    I keep myself well hydrated all the times & eat a good diet and am alb to do a hard run/workout for an hour without needing a drink.

    I do a variety of runs/workouts during a week. My fluid needs will depend on style of workout, weather, humidity, illness, injury etc... Doing intense HIIT / tempo runs I take water with me. At a race you'll most likely need nothing as it is provided. I personally hate carrying anything when I run... So loops can help with this by leaving stuff somewhere and using it as you loop round. Running tracks are great for this :D

    If you like it out on the trail, then you'll have to carry something... I'm a vegan so I take a banana, and/or cereal bar, bottle of water and in the summer an electrolyte tablet. I also have a little cash in a pouch for emergencies and plan in local shops en-route.

    Remember if you're thirsty drink, if you're peeing all the time stop drinking ;)

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