Let's Talk Hydration

More importantly hydration belts or packs. I am trying to add to my mileage which will eventually take me from my .8 mile trail. I did 5 laps the other night and I think anything over 7 will be way too much. I am not even sure I can do 7 laps.

At my trail I can park right in front of it and just leave a water bottle on my hood or the curb. Easy enough but the other trail I like is a straight out and back. There is water at the start (bubblers) and towards the end. I will need to carry it. My little camelback flops and annoys me.

What do you like? I was thinking a waist pack but not sure it wouldn't annoy me bouncing on my wide hips. :confused:

It would be ok to hit the bubblers once each round? you don't have to run non-stop to get the benefit....?

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Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

It would be ok to hit the bubblers once each round? you don't have to run non-stop to get the benefit....?

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I realize I didn't post distance. The trail is 3 miles out and back, I have only been doing 1.6 without a water stop.

I haven't found the perfect solution yet, but I have tried a MountainSmith waist pack and it does bother me, bouncing and sliding around my curvy hips. The best solution I've found so far is the AmphiPod 12 oz. hand held water bottle. We picked one up at the Pearl Izumi outlet in Ft Worth and it works pretty well. Your fingers go between the key pocket and the bottle and the bottle is pretty ergonomic. Here's a picture: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-AHHL.html (I don't work for running warehouse, just a patron from time to time.)

I don't like the lopsided feeling of carrying anything, but I don't like getting dehydrated even more! :p

Here's my third try and I like it reasonably well: the Amphipod RunLite. Actually the one I linked to comes with four bottles, the one I bought has three and most of the time I use only two. But that's one of the great things about this belt: you can easily add or subtract bottles and pouches, move them around so they're balanced and out of the way of your arm swing, and you can orient the bottles valve-up or valve to the side. The belt comes with 8-oz bottles but it will also accept Amphipod's 10.5-oz water bottles and 4-oz gel flasks.

I tried a handheld Nathan bottle. I think two would be better than one for balance reasons, but even so the extra weight makes arm swing difficult; it seemed like it was giving me shoulder problems even when I switched from one hand to the other every mile; and the valve leaks (so I always felt I had to put my phone in a ziploc bag inside the pocket). But it's secure and comfortable on the hand, and if you want it it's yours :rolleyes:

I also tried one of those belts that holds a regular bottle at an angle at the small of my back. I forget the brand. Bounced like crazy. Could hardly rotate my pelvis. Took it back.

The Amphipod belt has to go at your natural waist to avoid bounce - so it looks really dorky, especially if you're short-waisted like me. It has a bit of "give" to it so it doesn't bounce or restrict my breathing. The bottles are very secure when they're clipped in correctly - that's my only real ding on this belt, is that the bottles can seem like they're clipped in when they're not, so they fall out. Maybe that just takes more practice - I've only run in mine maybe 5-6 times, and I get it right most of the time. In the other direction, the bottles are easy to take out (just squeeze in the direction of the clip, they're slightly flexible).

The only other thing I don't like about this belt is that there's not enough size overlap. A medium was really too big for me, but if I gain any weight I won't be able to fit in my small one. But I'm between a small and a medium in most brands, so hardly anything fits right :rolleyes:

I use a fuel belt. Like Oakleaf I prefer the "belt" type.
Her's sounds more adaptive than teh Fuel Belt brand, but works the same.
I just can't run w/ a bottle in my hand. So the "flasks" that fit in are nice nad small. (7 oz or 10 oz). I am small soI like the 7 oz. You can get one that holds 2 bottles (I have) or 4 bottles. Plus it has a pouch in the back.
I get used to the feeling of somethign around my waist. I freeze the flasks
(w/ beverage in) the night before.

Did you see this thread?

I switch between my Nathan waistpack (shorter runs) and my Nathan running pack (longer runs or "adventure" runs). The pack doesn't bounce for sure; I can't say enough good things about it. The waist pack takes getting used to. I also tried handhelds but the little extra unbalanced weight makes my back cranky. Some people love them, though.

I don't drink anything for less than a 10 mile run, but anything over that and I've got my Nathan on me! http://www.nathansports.com/our_prod...n/speed_4.html

It holds 4 10-oz bottles and they are easy to slide in and out of the holders and I haven't lost one yet. ;) For runs up to 20 miles, I fill two with water and 2 with Perpetuem. I refill with water whenever I get to a fountain (usually every 6-8 miles). I start drinking at around the 5 mile mark and after that it's warming up so I propbably drink 10-20 oz. per 5 miles. Also, there is a little pocket that comfortably holds my cell phone and I.D. (drivers license, health insurance card, and hubby's cell phone #).

The waist pack has a velcro closure. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that the smallest size is too big, so the velcro closure kind of flops around. I finally found a solution to that clipping my iPod to it keeps it down. Can't use that in a race though!

Oh, one more thing: make sure to clean out the bottles as soon as you get back from your run. I use a q-tip to get the Perpetuem gunk out of the sipper part of the bottle. You don't want that getting moldy or anything.

If I go for more than an hour I take my Nathan "fuel belt" style pack. It has two bottles and a small pocket.

I never run for much more than 2 hours so it's usually enough for me. (I'm extremely hydrated the rest of the time and only run in cool weather.) Often I can find a fountain to refill if necessary.

I didn't like Camelbacks but the waist thing works well. It doesn't fit on the hips though, it will perpetually ride up. So around the waist it goes.

I am not a fan of carrying stuff but that is an option. My hands sweat a lot, I have a feeling I would be annoyed after 1 mile. Why can't it be as simple as a bottle cage? Do I have cage bosses somewhere? :p

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Originally Posted by yellow

Did you see this thread?

I

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I was too rushed to search at work today when this was on my brain but since you nicely did that, I will check it out. :)

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Originally Posted by michelem

I don't drink anything for less than a 10 mile run.

The waist pack has a velcro closure. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that the smallest size is too big, so the velcro closure kind of flops around.

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Texas humidity, I am thirsty after about 2 miles. It stinks. How thin are you? I am still a small size 10 but my natural waist is small, if I get to the weight I want to be my waist should be pretty small. Makes no sense that they don't make them smaller, have they seen a runner's body? :confused:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

The Amphipod belt has to go at your natural waist to avoid bounce - so it looks really dorky, especially if you're short-waisted like me.

The only other thing I don't like about this belt is that there's not enough size overlap. A medium was really too big for me, but if I gain any weight I won't be able to fit in my small one. But I'm between a small and a medium in most brands, so hardly anything fits right :rolleyes:

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Yeah, I have no torso whatsoever. I can be your dorky looking counterpart! And nothing fights me right either, I will accept that one day I guess.

I use a fuel-belt water bottle that straps to my hand. :D

(It's a lot like the amphipod bottle that OakLeaf linked.)

There are two things I liked better about the fuelbelt bottles then the amphipods though. They tend to have more of a curve so that it is easier to hold and the nozzle (sp?) is easier to pull open for me.

I've never tried the fuel belt thing. Something jostling on my hips just isn't appealing. When I do any race or training run over 3miles I just fill up at the water stations or ditch extra bottles that I can refill with along the course.

Hope this helps!

I must say that the fuel belt doesn't move an inch, but it's around my waist, NOT my hips.

For a while I used a small bottle - the kind that you buy to put shampoo in to travel - which was the same size as those (much more expensive) bottles you can buy for gel at sports store, and built a handle with some duct tape. Looked pretty bad but worked pretty well. I held with my hand through the handle as I ran. Worked well, but not enough water for a 90-minute run.

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Originally Posted by Grog

I must say that the fuel belt doesn't move an inch, but it's around my waist, NOT my hips.

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Same here.

(I was going to say +1 but the message has to be 3 characters or more ;))

I don't think there's a perfect answer... all methods of carrying water other than "pay some children to staff water stations for you exactly where you need them" have their ups and downs. ;)

I have a camelbak waist pack that holds about 1L full. I have to wear it tight around my waist or it bounces and drives me nuts. This works well for maybe 1-2 hour type runs, after that it gets annoying. I've worn it for entire marathons, but I don't think it's suited for the full distance, it actually makes me cramp after a while (now that I know the difference between "marathon uncomfortable" and "this dang waist pack" ;)).

I have a camelbak regular pack (minimalist, just water, not a lot of storage) that holds closer to 2L full. It makes marks on my lower back (amazingly not my upper back) where it rubs if I don't put on bodyglide, but other than that doesn't bother me nearly as much as I expected. I've done this for up to 3 hour runs and hikes but that's about it. I think if I was to run a marathon that wasn't well supported or wanted my water when I wanted it, I'd probably try this next time. I actually bought it for biking because the waistpack was seriously irritating in a more aero position (super cramps), but I tried it for running/hiking and was pleasantly surprised.

I have carried bottles (hand bottle carrier being the best way) and that works great for shorter distances, though I have to alternate hands and still prefer to have my hands free. Also kind of limited on the quantity of water, but for 3 miles, that might be just right.

The answer might be... start with the cheapest/easiest method and work your way through them? ;)

I'm pretty small (although I don't FEEL small! I just feel like ME!) -- 5'2" and wear XS stuff. The Nathan goes right around my waist, not hips. I used it this weekend in a Half and was so glad to have it and not have to worry about gulping stuff down at the hydration stations. Due to gastro problems, I need to take small sips along the way rather than gulping a bunch at a time. I went through two 10 oz. bottles of Perpetuem and one bottle of plain water. I drank the last 10 oz. bottle of water immediately after crossing the finish line. :) I was able to carry my cell phone in it as well so I could call my hubby to come pick me up after I finished. Very convenient.

I just got the vest that Yellow's spoken of so highly, and I agree 100% with her glowing review.

When I put it on empty to adjust the straps, I couldn't even believe how comfortable it was. It was still comfortable with water in it. I was just going for a short run today so didn't fill it nearly full, and unfortunately I wasn't paying too close attention to how much water I put in it today, but it was definitely at least 24 oz and probably closer to 30. 24 oz is the capacity of my Amphipod belt and that feels really heavy when it's full. The Intensity vest felt very light.

Running, it didn't bounce, didn't slosh, didn't move around, didn't chafe, didn't tweak my shoulders, didn't feel excessively hot, stayed UNBELIEVABLY comfortable for the whole run. Which wasn't all that long, less than 5 miles, and I probably wouldn't have brought water at all if I hadn't been trying out the new vest - but still.

I was reasonably happy with my Amphipod belt, but I'm thinking I'm going to use this vest even for short runs. I'm the gal who sweats out a liter an hour on a cool-ish day, so carrying more water more comfortably is a huge plus for me.

(Plus, I ordered it through Amazon, which their third-party seller has the 2008 models marked down. As far as I could tell the only thing they changed for 2009 was the color. They said I'd receive it about 9 business days after I placed the order on Sunday... it came this morning. :):))

:D

I'm glad you like it. I think one of the reasons it's so comfortable is that it wears like a vest, not a pack. Most of the time I forget that I have the darn thing on.

I ordered the "big one" last week for my adventure/long/iffy weather runs using my REI 20% off coupon. It's on backorder, which is a real drag considering I have a bunch of really long runs coming up. I'm looking forward to using it! While I lovelovelove my Intensity, it's not quite big enough for a SPOT, a camera, a steri-pen, extra socks, food, etc., etc.

Yellow,

We have the Nathan Synergy Hydration Pack in stock, ready to ship. If REI let's you down, you'll know where to look for it next. :)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodNN_5020NG.html

Susan