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.

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.

Djproulx wrote: »

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.

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.

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 ;-)

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.

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.

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.

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.

@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.

pondee629 wrote: »

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".

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.

pondee629 wrote: »

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.

Very true.

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.

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.

Djproulx wrote: »

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.