Running and water

[LIsaP]

Hi All you runners out there.
I am a relatively new runner-just started last year. I finished my second 5k this weekend and have a question for you all.

What do you do for water during the race? I find that I get really thirsty while running and run much better if I can sip some water. 5K's aren't generally long enough for there to be water stops along the way.

I have not yet found a good way to carry water. For the 5K this weekend, I bought a special fannypack camelback that holds 2 waterbottles worth of water. I was so excited to use it, but hated it during the race-it was heavy and sloshed around and was really uncomfortable. I eneded up having to take it off and carry it! This made my run much slower than it would have been normally! When I run during the week on hot days I have been carrying a water bottle, but that too is not condusive to good running.

So, do any of you have any advice?

Sorry for the long post!

[emilycat]

Lisa,

I can't remember a single race I've run that didn't have water stops -- even the shorter ones! I might suggest, though, that if you're going to be running a race that won't have water stops (which is very irresponsible and unoraganized of the race sponsors, in my opinion), trace the course ahead of time, and stash a water bottle (or a couple) along various points on the course so that you can grab it if you need to. If you remember well where they are, it shouldn't take too much time, and it sure beats running with all that extra weight! Hope this helps!

Emily

[aggie94]

Emily -

That's a great suggestion -- thanks! Would never have thought of that. I did a 5K back in March and there were no water stations. And I don't remember there being any for the shorter races that DH has done, either. I figured I just had to suck it up and wait until the race was over. Quite honestly, I'm not expecting a water station for the YMCA 5K next month either. Maybe I can plant DH at mile two with a water bottle for me!

[Kerri]

I would also recommend hydrating before the race (remember, drink 8 glasses a day!) because by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated!

[SusieO]

I have a hip pack that has a 20oz flask that fits inside of it. It does add some weight, but I don't find it particularly uncomfortable. Plus, it gets lighter as the bottle empties. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

It's also very handy for holding keys, ID, and a little money. Of course, I can't remember who makes it, but I think it came from The Sports Authority.