Poll for Racing Runners: Do You Carry Your Own

TorridCutie

Water or fluids at a race?

I never did so far, but I am running a half marathon this weekend and thinking of doing so. I am clumsy at drinking and running at the same time so spill most of my water at the water stations if I do not stop running and walk through them. Would it be OK if I had a hand-held bottle at the race with me?

beccarockslife

I wouldn't unless you are willing to ditch it when it's empty.

Just bend the top over the cup to make it non spill

gp79

I don't see why you couldn't. I don't like to walk water stations either but I can run and drink at the same time.

djkshdfd

I use the 22oz Amphipod and it is awesome! I don't remember I have it and there has been no spilling for me. The pocket is also very nice. I highly suggest purchasing one.

aunienue

I wear a fuel belt for longer runs which has 4 bottles. I ran my first half in May - I had electrolyte fluid in all four bottles and drank water at water stations. There was water every 3 kms. My strategy: I ran the first 6km straight then walked through every water station after that. I don't drink electrolyte if provided as you never know if it is mixed correctly and if you haven't tried it before you don't know how your body will react.

Good luck, Sue

djkshdfd

I use the 22oz Amphipod and it is awesome! I don't remember I have it and there has been no spilling for me. The pocket is also very nice. I highly suggest purchasing one.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=amphipod

read the reviews on the handheld...the shape is great

Surfcitymom

I bought a hiking belt at a sports store, here it's a BIG FIVE store, and it comes with a bottle. I have successfully completed five full and seven half marathons and I always carry my own water. I also suggest taking a gel one per hour, they are made by powerade, and I can't remember the other brand. I also carry my cell phone in my belt, and bandaid, and tissue. Even a five dollar bill is not a bad idea. They also have special belts with bottles made especially for runners. Best of Luck to you!

TorridCutie

I use the 22oz Amphipod and it is awesome! I don't remember I have it and there has been no spilling for me. The pocket is also very nice. I highly suggest purchasing one.

That is what I already have and I was thinking of using that one.

arc918

Nope (unless it is a trail run or ultra). I do usually start my marathons carrying a regular old 16 oz plastic water bottle (so I don't have to hassle with the first couple water stops) - then I can just ditch it along the way.

mynameiscarrie

my mom is a huge runner (i run but not that long and i dont like drinking during runs) and she has a sports water bottle that has a grip that goes around your hand... worth checking out

edit: she has the handheld one people above are talking about! she runs marathons a lot and loves it

JanineSturniolo

I run with the Ultimate Direction fast draw. I love it. I can hold two honey stingers for long runs, and it fits nicely in my hand. I used to run with a waist water bottle holder but my hips would ache. I love the ultimate direction...it has a soft drinking spout! Got mine at Altrec, which is super fast!!

richiedbond

I use a nathan and anything over a 5K I take it with me. I find you cannot depend on where the water stations are compared to when you need the water...

http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/hydrationnutrition/handhelds/quickdraw-plus

moylie

I was also contemplating the same thing (have my first half in two weeks). I absolutely hate drinking from those cups. At a race, I saw some people dump some water out right away, before drinking it. I was just going to race w/ my race number belt that has spots for gu, and a small pocket, but no water. If I bring my Fuel Belt, I can't attach the race bib, and I don't want to put holes in my tech shirt. Have fun w/ your race!

djkshdfd

I use the 22oz Amphipod and it is awesome! I don't remember I have it and there has been no spilling for me. The pocket is also very nice. I highly suggest purchasing one.

That is what I already have and I was thinking of using that one.

Oh, then that's perfect. Nearly everyone at the race I did had a belt or handheld bottle.

emmaleigh47

I always carry my fuel belt with me ... but thats because I have to have my fluids at different intervals than what they offer during the race. I need to sip because otherwise I do not absorb. Plus I like knowing I can drink whenever I want to ... and for the most part avoid the water stations!

wjkirby

When I did my first marathon I had a belt that had 4 small water bottles. I quit using it a long time ago. If the water stations have paper cups (the smart ones do) then squeeze the cup to make a spout and drink from it. You're still going to spill a good bit but the idea is to just get some fluids. Grab 2 cups as you go by if you can.

AZTrailRunner

For a 5K I don't drink or eat.
For a 10K I carry an handheld 10oz bottle (mostly for wetting mouth), but no food
For a Half, I carry my Nathan waist belt with my 28oz bottle. It allows me to drink whenever and wherever I choose. I've been doing this for over a decade.

spurradic

i usually follow the "if i havent trained with it, i dont use it" method for races...trying something new on race day is often not a good idea....that being said, if you think you can handle the water bottle the whole race or are willing to ditch it (as some others have mentioned) then do what feels best to you.

i usually walk through and get water from the water stations...untill recently, i had the same spilling problem you mentioned...someone finally told me to collapse the cup when i drank from it so it wouldnt spill and ive had much better luck since then...who knew? lol

techymum

I've only run one race, so I'm certainly no expert! But here I go anyway, lol! I was told not to wear my water belt for the race. (Not cool? maybe?) And did I ever regret that. Approached the water table, took my water, and promptly inhaled it straight up my nose.

Threw the cup away, choked and basically ran the race with no fluids. Had I had my own, I would have been happily taking sips along the route.

It was suggested that perhaps I walk and drink, but I am preferring to keep running rather than starting up again. Not for speed, just for my body/mind to keep going.

From now on I will be wearing my fuel belt, cool or not :-)

rogerm213

If you just bend the rim of the cup they hand you into a V it is much easier to drink from it while moving without ending up wearing half of the cups contents. I tried carrying my own once in a fuel belt and between the sloshing and the belt slipping I likely will not do it again in a race unless they do not have water stations.

Flyntiggr

I have the amphipod belt, and have been working with it on my training runs. I'll wear that with 2 water and 2 electrolyte bottles, my pocket with some hard candy, and my race # belt for my half. I'm training with the Galloway run/walk method, and he suggests walking at the water stations. You get a short break, and don't spill the water.

suzycreamcheese

i carry a water bottle whenever i run. Id feel weird if i didnt

fteale

I always carry my own water. I never find there are enough water stations, and it's invaluable if you swallow a fly!

staceyseeger

This past year, I got acclimated to being able to run a half marathon without any water stops. I hydrate during the week leading up to the race, then I take a Gatorade Prime pack at the start of the race & another at Mile 7. This worked for me. I am not giving advice, just participating in the Poll.

rybo

Usually no. I did carry 2 of my usual 4 water bottles during my marathon as a (just in case deal), but that was mostly a waste. While I did drink from them, I didn't need them. Usually races have the water stations listed out so you can judge better.

Now I did do a trail race where they reccommended carrying your own water & refilling bottles at the check points was very much needed. I'm not sure how anyone could have gotten away with out it.

cariandy

I am clumsy too!! and by the end of my first Half marathon I was spilling them all over the place!! I was soo thirsty and would be lucky to get one sip!! So YES!! I am carrying an 20oz amphipod this Sunday!!(we are racing the same day!!:happy: ) I have been using it during training and it is very comfortable to run with!!


Good LUCK!!!!!!!!!

katapple

I didn't for my half marathon, just walked through a few water stations (I do the V trick too)

for my full I plan on wearing my camelbak, I love that thing

sarahkbarnes

I carry nothing but myself!

KimertRuns13_1

Yes, for anything over 6 I carry a Nathan handheld with Nuun.

Legs_McGee

I don't generally drink any water for runs that are shorter than 14 miles or so - the perks of living in a cooler climate. I knew they were going to have plenty of water stations for last weekend's marathon, so I didn't worry about it then either. But since you're running in a warmer area, it wouldn't hurt. I'm a total spaz at drinking or GUing on the run....something always goes up my nose.

istalkzombies

I havent particpated in a race yet I have been doing my runs though carrying my own water bottle and also am gonna start using a camelpack and see how that works