How should I carry water for 10+ mi runs?

The thing no one has mentioned is that what you're used to plays a HUGE factor in this.

If you're used to running 10 miles without water, it won't be a problem.
If you're used to running in especially high or low humidity, it won't be a problem.
If you're used to running in high temps, it won't be a problem.

At the end of the day, you have to know your body. If you need water, make sure you have it. If you don't, then no reason to bring it. What you are conditioned for compared to what you are doing (and the conditions you're doing it in) will go a long way to determine what you need and don't need.

And frankly, none of us know this person and what they need or don't need. So back to the original questions - A fuelbelt 2 bottle belt, no elastic for a tight/secure fit.

I have the amphipod belt and I love it! http://www.amazon.com/Amphipod-RunLite-Hydration-Belt-Size/dp/B002PA4V8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341863358&sr=8-1&keywords=amphipod+belt

I prefer a fuel belt. I loathe to have anything in my hands when I'm running. I've never considered a camelback, because I can't think of any run I have ever done (or am likely to do in the future) that will require me to have 60 to 100 ounces of fluid. My belt has four 10 ounce bottles and that is more than enough for a 22 mile run.

Honestly, for a 10 mile run, I don't even bother with water. It's not necessary, physiologically, if you are properly hydrated prior to the run. I don't bother with any fluids until I get to about 16 miles, which for me is about 2.5 hours.

^^^^^^^ this.

This is WRONG.

Frst you dont know what another runner needs or doesnt need on a 10 mile run. Second let me first state Ive never done anything over 8 miles but I know the other day when I did 4.5 in 96 deg and 92 humidity I NEEDED water. I was glad I had brought my 16oz bottle of water with me. Before I was finished I had emptied my bottle. I will easily sweat out 2+lbs from a run start to finish. You need to replace everything you lose. In severe heat like that if you tell someone not to take water on a 10 mile run you could kill them.

No, it's not wrong. You didn't NEED the water, you wanted it. You can safely lose 5% of your body weight in sweat. You don't NEED to replace everything you lose. That's another fallacy. Kill them? Seriously?

Do some research before you call somebody out.

^^^Agreed...I have ran 15 miles in 3 hours(12 minute/mile pace) and did not drink an ounce of water during MY run...and am here to talk about it. Hydrated beforehand and after. Now I don't recommend this for everyone as you have to know your own limits...and definitely do not recommend this if temperature is above 85. I usually run in early morning...and I live in Florida.

Another vote for a camelbac, I have a small 1ltr one which is light to carry and I can always stop and buy another bottle to top it up if needed, and of course its a little rucksack so good for carrying keys/mobiles etc as well.

Camelbak also makes hydration packs which are basically belts that can be filled with water (up to 50 oz). Internal baffles keep the water from sloshing around and throwing you off balance. It may be a good compromise becasue you can use the bite valve and not worry about carrying a bottle. Search for Camelbak 2012 FlashFlo LR for more details.

i have a 'Magic' 70 oz Camelbak and a 14oz hot pink fuel belt. I use them both frequently on my long runs. i just pick the one that i feel like, or the one that suits the weather best. i'll take the camelbak especially if i want to carry some extra food or my kindle with me. running is super meditative me time, and sometimes i just don't want it to end, so if i have a book with me i can stop and read and stretch if i'm in the mood. i love my saturday long runs!

Good luck to you w/ your training! I am a marathoner who lives in the midwest. So summer training is very hot & humid. For me, hydration is a must even for my short runs. I use the Amphipod hydration belt. It has a pouch that holds the bottle in place. And it has a zippered area on the front of the pouch to hold my phone & keys. Works well for me! It's comfortable & doesn't bounce.

Are you eating/drinking during your run? Gatorade & Gu are my friends for long runs.

I prefer a fuel belt. I loathe to have anything in my hands when I'm running. I've never considered a camelback, because I can't think of any run I have ever done (or am likely to do in the future) that will require me to have 60 to 100 ounces of fluid. My belt has four 10 ounce bottles and that is more than enough for a 22 mile run.

Honestly, for a 10 mile run, I don't even bother with water. It's not necessary, physiologically, if you are properly hydrated prior to the run. I don't bother with any fluids until I get to about 16 miles, which for me is about 2.5 hours.

^^^^^^^ this.

This is WRONG.

Frst you dont know what another runner needs or doesnt need on a 10 mile run. Second let me first state Ive never done anything over 8 miles but I know the other day when I did 4.5 in 96 deg and 92 humidity I NEEDED water. I was glad I had brought my 16oz bottle of water with me. Before I was finished I had emptied my bottle. I will easily sweat out 2+lbs from a run start to finish. You need to replace everything you lose. In severe heat like that if you tell someone not to take water on a 10 mile run you could kill them.

No, it's not wrong. You didn't NEED the water, you wanted it. You can safely lose 5% of your body weight in sweat. You don't NEED to replace everything you lose. That's another fallacy. Kill them? Seriously?

Do some research before you call somebody out.

Actually no...Not every one functions the same. so you dont know.... Im not saying it cant be done Im saying you would be unsafe to offer that kind of advice to someone you dont know. You dont know what kind of shape this person is in. you dont know how often they run. How much water they normally drink how much they sweat. how hot it will be? You dont know any of those things. To matter of factly state a person doesnt need water or wont die is gross negligence on your part.

I could link to hundreds of news articles about young football players dieing in the severe heat and I gaurantee you those boys aren't running 10 milers. Or tons of Marathon trainers who have collapsed and been found unconcious on the sides of roads during training runs because they thought they didnt need the water. You are assuming an awful lot based on little to no facts.

I live in Alabama, where it can get 100+ in the summer, so hydration is a must, even on short runs. I hate carrying water though, so I just make my routes go by gas stations or stores every couple of miles so I can run in, get a drink from the fountain and pee if I need to. If the run is really long (16 miles or more) I will even set up a water stop with a cooler and some snacks somewhere along the route. This way I can stay hydrated without carrying anything.

I ran 12.5 yesterday without any water. If you hydrate well enough normally, then you should be fine, depending on the weather. I will be getting a running/fuel belt if I get much past the half distance.

I think this works for some and not for others. I drink *loads* of water through the course of the day, but out running I need a lot too. I really can't manage without it.

For the OP - I carry a donut shaped bottle, which is easy to carry. I do have a water belt too, but I find the little bottles annoying...

Using a figure of 8 route, and planting bottles on the way has been suggested to me before. I haven't tried this, but it sounds sensible if it's an option.

I really love my little amphipod that slips onto the side of my shorts with a clip. I think it's 8 oz. Everyone is different, but I find if I am hydrated really well, I only need a lil gatorade mixed with water (or whatever refueling drink you like) after about an hour being out there. Everyone's body is different, you should try out different things. You may find yourself shedding that camelpak 5 miles in from irritation...or that a water bottle in your hand causes your shoulder to feel funny...who knows, but try it all out and see what's best for you! I like the idea of "water drops" too, but most of my run area is not accessible by vehicle. But, that's a good option if you don't wanna haul it around while on foot. best of luck to you!

Actually no...Not every one functions the same. so you dont know.... Im not saying it cant be done Im saying you would be unsafe to offer that kind of advice to someone you dont know. You dont know what kind of shape this person is in. you dont know how often they run. How much water they normally drink how much they sweat. how hot it will be? You dont know any of those things. To matter of factly state a person doesnt need water or wont die is gross negligence on your part.

I could link to hundreds of news articles about young football players dieing in the severe heat and I garutee you those boys aare running 10 milers. Or tons of Marathon trainers who have collapsed and been found unconcious on the sides of roads during training runs because they thought they didnt need the water. You are assuming aan awful lot based on little to no facts.

Here is what I stated, and I'll stand behind it.

It's not necessary, physiologically, if you are properly hydrated prior to the run.

Your examples of football players doesn't compare. Those deaths are not because of dehydration, they are because of heat exhaustion where the body temperatures rise to dangerous levels. Being properly hydrated will not alleviate the possibility of heat exhaustion but it can help, however; heat exhaustion can still occur in properly hydrated individuals. The recommendation of frequent water breaks is so that there is a break in the physical activity to allow the body temperatures to return to more normal levels. I think you'll find that many school districts are required to cancel practice or bring them indoors under extreme conditions.

ETA: I never told the OP "YOU don't need water. Go run without it." I related my experience and made a statement about the physiological requirement for water on a run of that length based on research that I have read in more than one source. Granted, there has to be some common sense too. If the temperatures are in the 90+ range and humid, you have to adjust. I know what my sweat rate is from calculating it, so I know when I will lose more than 5% of my body weight in sweat and I plan accordingly. I don't think I really need to state "This is what works for me, but it might not work for you." I assume everyone here is intelligent enough to understand that.

Actually no...Not every one functions the same. so you dont know.... Im not saying it cant be done Im saying you would be unsafe to offer that kind of advice to someone you dont know. You dont know what kind of shape this person is in. you dont know how often they run. How much water they normally drink how much they sweat. how hot it will be? You dont know any of those things. To matter of factly state a person doesnt need water or wont die is gross negligence on your part.

I could link to hundreds of news articles about young football players dieing in the severe heat and I garutee you those boys aare running 10 milers. Or tons of Marathon trainers who have collapsed and been found unconcious on the sides of roads during training runs because they thought they didnt need the water. You are assuming aan awful lot based on little to no facts.

Here is what I stated, and I'll stand behind it.

It's not necessary, physiologically, if you are properly hydrated prior to the run.

Your examples of football players doesn't compare. Those deaths are not because of dehydration, they are because of heat exhaustion where the body temperatures rise to dangerous levels. Being properly hydrated will not alleviate the possibility of heat exhaustion but it can help, however; heat exhaustion can still occur in properly hydrated individuals. The recommendation of frequent water breaks is so that there is a break in the physical activity to allow the body temperatures to return to more normal levels. I think you'll find that many school districts are required to cancel practice or bring them indoors under extreme conditions.

ETA: I never told the OP "YOU don't need water. Go run without it." I related my experience and made a statement about the physiological requirement for water on a run of that length based on research that I have read in more than one source. Granted, there has to be some common sense too. If the temperatures are in the 90+ range and humid, you have to adjust. I know what my sweat rate is from calculating it, so I know when I will lose more than 5% of my body weight in sweat and I plan accordingly. I don't think I really need to state "This is what works for me, but it might not work for you." I assume everyone here is intelligent enough to understand that.

You told me I didnt need it...

No, it's not wrong. You didn't NEED the water, you wanted it. You can safely lose 5% of your body weight in sweat. You don't NEED to replace everything you lose. That's another fallacy. Kill them? Seriously?

Do some research before you call somebody out.

Good afternoon everyone!
Just wondering which alternative is the best.
A belt? Is there one that doesn't bounce too much?
Arm band? Will that allow for enough water?
A vest? Is that only worth wearing on marathons?
Is water best? What about tea? Protein drink while running?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I'll let you know what I do, for what it's worth...

I prefer to use a Fuel Belt on longer runs; I wear it for runs of 8-9 miles or longer. Mine is from Nathan; it has 4 bottles on it, which I fill with water. For runs longer than ~10 miles, I also bring Gu or Honey Stinger gels to replenish carbs (which I believe is more important during longer runs than a protein drink, since you're looking for quick access energy; save the protein for post-race, when a 4:1 carb:protein ratio is desirable according to some recent literature... chocolate milk generally fits this bill, though I use Hammer Recoverite).

I prefer the Nathan Fuel Belt to a Camelbak or handheld water bottle; it's just a case of personal preference. Mine stays very snug & doesn't bounce... on longer runs (say, 15-20 miles), I wear the Fuel Belt & bring disposable water bottles with me, which I throw away along the course or carry home. I *hate* carrying anything in my hand, and have never run with a Camelbak, though it seems like it would annoy me to have something on my back like that.

Again, recent research that I have read (there was a recent article in Runner's World, I believe) suggests that, not surprisingly, you should use thirst as your best indicator of when to drink during a run. I like to stay ahead of any chance of dehydration, so basically plan on drinking 8 oz of water every 3 miles (which is roughly when the rest stops are on a typical race course, give or take).

Others have mentioned this already and it's sooooo true - the most important thing you can do is just ensure you're constantly hydrated all the time so that you're good to go when you head out the door for your run. It make an enormous difference for me; you'll know you're well hydrated when your urine is a light lemonade colour.

Hope this helps & happy running! :flowerforyou:

ETA: During a marathon (or any race, for that matter), I don't bring any water with me... I bring gels & rely on the water stations for hydration, which I map out in advance so I know which ones I'll stop at (again, targeting every 3 miles or so).

Carsonruns, I know you know you're stuff, but my personal experience doesn't chime with your view. I get sick and faint if I don't hydrate in a run. As I mentioned on the previous page, I drink a *lot* of water, every day. Several litres. But I still really can't cope beyond six miles without some water. I know that there's a basic physiological 'truth' in what you're saying, but nonetheless, I suspect there's a *lot* of individual difference.

I respect that. If you are getting sick and faint, and drinking water makes that go away, then the threshold is lower for you. There could be other factors too. Do you find that it changes based on what and when you eat? The air quality? Temperature? How much sleep you got? The time of day you ran? Lots and lots of variables.

I'm approaching his from the physiological perspective, hoping to help people understand what the body really needs and doesn't need according to the scientific research that has been done. Then, use that information to help them determine what works for them. I recall one race I ran where I came upon a guy that was literally soaked from head to toe on sweat no more than 3 miles into a HM. I was just starting to get a little lather going because it wasn't really that hot that day. He and I had vastly different sweat rates. My hydration needs were probably considerably different from his. There are going to be exceptions and extremes. Everyone has the responsibility to test to see what works for them.

ETA: speeling