Shot Bloks, GU, Accelerade, Oh My!

[Tri Girl]

If I need lots of water, I wear the Camelbak, but if I only need 20 oz, I'll wear my water belt (water bottle on belt thingy). The Camelbak has never bothered me, no motion on my back, but the sloshing sound drives my DH crazy when he runs with me. It doesn't bother me. Sometimes on the trail I run around here I wear my bottle belt, but stash an extra one, and loop back to get it when I run out of the one I'm carrying.

[Lise]

I hate carrying things, and I hate wearing things. But. Sometimes you can't plan your entire route around water fountains in the parks. So I bought an Amphipod water bottle belt. It's not the easiest thing to use, but I can carry 32 oz of water. It doesn't slosh. I shove the belt as low as possible on my hips. It also has a pouch, making it easier to carry beans, bloks, or gels.

For runs < 5 miles, I plan around the water fountains. Alas, those will soon be turned off for the winter.

[mcoleman]

I use gels, sport beans & blocks on long runs. It is nice to have more variety than just gels. The fruitier ones seem to be better. I am a diehard chocoholic, but the chocolate (or vanilla) gels just don't work for me. I do like the mocha, mocha.
I love, love, love the cran-razz blocks, but I have to stop to eat them. (One of these days I will remember to open the package before I head out.)
We are lucky to have a park with water fountains at about halfway on my normal 10 mile route, but for really long runs, DH wears a fuel belt and we refill with water. I also have running shorts that have a pocket across the back, so I carry the food.
Another option is to do loops and use your house or car as a rest stop.
Most larger races have samples in the race bags or somewhere. We are just finishing blocks from DH's Ironman in June and sport beans from the cycling championship Labor day. We love samples

[indysteel]

Jennifer, here are several links that you might find helpful from bicycling.com on staying hydrated and fueled during endurance activities:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4780-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4999-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4997-1,00.html

[Offthegrid]

I like the shot bloks a lot. They are much better than gels, IMHO. I got some samples with the last pair of shoes I ordered. If you use gels, just make sure to drink at least a cup of water with it or you could be more prone to stomach problems.

[Bikingmomof3]

Jennifer, here are several links that you might find helpful from bicycling.com on staying hydrated and fueled during endurance activities:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4780-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4999-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4997-1,00.html

Thank you. I will print these out. I cannot even get midly dehydrated and running around with a full tummy of water does not work-I tried.