Early AM Runners - Hydration Question

PeachyPlum

I guess this is really for anyone who works out early in the morning, but I find it only causes a problem on my running days. I work out as soon as I wake up, but I always wake up feeling terribly thirsty and dehydrated. I'm on a medication that causes serious night sweats, so that might be part of the reason.
When I'm doing 30 Day Shred I just keep a glass of water beside me and take rushed sips between exercises. But on running days, all I can do is drink about 8 ounces of water as I get dressed for my run. Any more than that and I have water sloshing around in my belly and feel sick. But I start feeling super-thirsty about five minutes into my run. As soon as I finish, I pretty much chug two 16 oz glasses of water.

Is there a trick to staying hydrated that I don't know about? It seems crazy to have to carry a water bottle on a two mile run!

kburgess247

I never start my workout before I down at least one, if not two, glasses of water because I tend to get dehydrated often as well (and I sweat like crazy). I down the first one right after I hop out of bed/brush teeth. I don't want to chug them so I give myself about half an hour to get through the second one. I know it kills time but if I don't do this first, when I come home from the run I will beet red and pooped -- and now that summer is approaching also pretty lightheaded.

I am interested in finding better ways to stay hydrated throughout the day as well because it seems to be a real problem.

There's another thread with some interesting tips you might want to try too: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/318900-hydration-questions-for-all-you-smart-pals

arc918

I'm an early morning runner (6-7 days a week). Some advice somebody gave me early on:

if you are waiting until the morning of your run to hydrate, you've waited too long.

I usually drink a good 60 - 80 ounces of water before I go to bed. All the water helps me wake up in the morning.

BrianSharpe

Perhaps a better way to approach is to determine how much you sweat during the run.

Weight yourself, naked, before and after the run to determine how much you actually lose. If the amount is significant then you may want to take a little extra time to drink more water before you head out or take some water with you on the run even though it's a couple of miles. (I'm with on hating that sloshing sensation....)

You may not be as dehydrated as you think when you wake up. A dry mouth is not uncommon as lots of breathe through our mouths while sleeping - I judge my level of hydration on the colour of my urine (it should be light to almost clear). Perhaps a little more water in the evening before you go to bed (as long as you're not waking up 10 times at night to pee...)

The other thing to keep in mind about being adequately hydrated is that it's an all day thing. I tend to sip water throughout the day.

CarsonRuns

Proper hydration is an all day event. I aim for a full gallon of water every day. I, too, judge by the color of my urine. My goal is to keep the stream running clear.

Drink water all day long. If you are going to the bathroom every hour to 90 minutes, you are doing it right.

Sox90716

I like to use a Gatorade Chew before my run. It helps immensely! Good luck!