Hydration Methods

[indigoiis]

I had the hip problem too with my fuel belt, and then I got one size larger. That helped a LOT. I snug it all the way down past the curve. It also helps to have on shorts or tights that do not have slippery fabric.

But I've been gravitating to the handheld on long runs. I find I typically don't consume a lot while I'm actually running - I take 1-3 gulps every 3 miles - and then drink a lot when I get home. It seems to work for me and feels more natural than running with water in my stomach - and, I never seem to get dehydrated. So I put only about 1/2 the amount in my handheld and when I get to the last 3 miles I dump everything out and then stuff it into the back of my shorts. So far this has worked for long runs up to 14 miles. I have yet to test this for longer runs.

[OakLeaf]

Two things to add -

I have one of those Amphipod belts. I can't wear anything on my hips, it will bounce - anything that goes "around" has to go at my natural waist. The belt pulls my spine out of alignment, makes pelvic rotation difficult, it only carries 24 oz of water, and my 2-liter Intensity pack rides lighter when full than the Amphipod belt. I do still use it occasionally on runs of 7-8 miles, just barely long enough to need a few sips of water, but that's just mainly because the bottles are so much easier to clean and dry than a flexible bladder.

Also, overheating isn't necessarily related to hydration, but it very often is. 24 oz water wouldn't be nearly enough for me on a 10-mile run. I'm very prone to overheating, but in last summer's marathon training, there were only a couple of times on long runs in 95° heat that I even felt close to overheating, and that's because I'm really careful to keep up with hydration. A liter an hour does NOT replace everything I sweat out, but it's normally enough to keep me from overheating. I also have to be really careful to replace electrolytes, because I'm also prone to hyponatremia.

You might consider carrying enough plain water to pour over your head on occasion.

[zoom-zoom]

I have one of those Amphipod belts. I can't wear anything on my hips, it will bounce - anything that goes "around" has to go at my natural waist.

This. I look like a dork when I wear my Amphipod belt (I have one of the Full-Tilt models), since I wear it up so high, but it won't stay down on my hips. I have to have it up at my waist...pretty high.

I can't wear jerseys with bottom elastic or compression tops, either. All of these things creep right up to my natural waist and leave my lower belly bare.

[GLC1968]

This. I look like a dork when I wear my Amphipod belt (I have one of the Full-Tilt models), since I wear it up so high, but it won't stay down on my hips. I have to have it up at my waist...pretty high.

I can't wear jerseys with bottom elastic or compression tops, either. All of these things creep right up to my natural waist and leave my lower belly bare.

This, too.

I wear my Nathan belt at my natural waist and I have to cinch it down pretty tight for it not to bounce too much. It's not fashionable by any stretch of the imagination, but it works. I do have a longer torso though, so I might have more room between my natural waist and my lower body curves than some, so that might make a difference.

[zoom-zoom]

This, too.

I wear my Nathan belt at my natural waist and I have to cinch it down pretty tight for it not to bounce too much. It's not fashionable by any stretch of the imagination, but it works. I do have a longer torso though, so I might have more room between my natural waist and my lower body curves than some, so that might make a difference.

This. Man, we are body doubles!

[OakLeaf]

I might have more room between my natural waist and my lower body curves than some, so that might make a difference.

Heh. There are two inches between my bottom rib and my hipbone. Count 'em.

[GLC1968]

Heh. There are two inches between my bottom rib and my hipbone. Count 'em.

Wow! I've got about 5!

Kirsten - body doubles except that I am not blessed with your chest!

[zoom-zoom]

Wow! I've got about 5!

Kirsten - body doubles except that I am not blessed with your chest!

Meh, it's totally overrated.

Ha, I just measured from my bottom rib to my hip-bone...5".

[colby]

The belt pulls my spine out of alignment, makes pelvic rotation difficult, it only carries 24 oz of water, and my 2-liter Intensity pack rides lighter when full than the Amphipod belt.

I stopped wearing my hydration belt because it made my hip flexors, back, and pelvis hurt. It took me a while to realise what was going on, but once I stopped, I felt SO much better.

I use a Camelbak pack right now (and have for a long time) but I'm thinking about the others. The 2L gets me up to about 20 miles in normal weather, fewer miles in heat.

[Deborajen]

I stopped wearing my hydration belt because it made my hip flexors, back, and pelvis hurt. It took me a while to realise what was going on, but once I stopped, I felt SO much better.

Interesting - I don't get along with a backpack-style Camelbak because it kills my neck and shoulders, but I have a lumbar Camelbak that I love. No problems with it. I alternate between the lumbar Camelback and carrying a bottle.