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By Dorothy Beal:
From an outside perspective, running 26.2 miles at once would seem like the hardest thing about a marathon. But, for those who’ve committed to the distance, running can often feel like the easy part. Training, deciding what to eat and drink during the race, the details, the nerves and the unknown are far more stressful than the thought of putting one foot in front of the other.
A frequent concern of marathoners is whether to carry a water container on race day. Ultimately, this particular decision comes down to personal preference, but here are a few things to consider.
Did you train with water?
The “nothing new on race day” adage exists for a reason. Experiment during long training runs—not during the race. At marathon distance, there are a lot of uncontrollable variables, so you’ll want to take every opportunity to control what you can. If you didn't train to self-support, then rely on the course support.
Will there be water on course?
Don't assume that every race is going to have course aid stations. Many trail marathons and even some smaller road marathons will require you to carry your own hydration. If water is provided and you plan to rely on that, make sure to do your research ahead of time to see where the aid stations will be located. If you plan to drink only the course water, it's a good idea to practice hydrating at around the same mile it will be provided during the race.
Is your hydration pack allowed?
The New York City Marathon—the largest marathon in the world—bans the use of Camelbaks and other hydration backpacks. Prior to training for a race, make sure what you plan to train with is allowed, so you aren't scrambling last-minute to either purchase something else or rely on course aid stations when you prefer to carry your own water.
How large is the marathon?
The first aid station at any marathon is likely to be one of the most crowded of the entire race. Newer runners and first time marathoners might not be aware of water stop etiquette and suddenly come to a complete stop directly in front of you as they grab a cup of water. Getting tripped up early in a race is not how you want to start the day. For this reason, you may prefer to carry a bottle of water in the first miles, enabling you to stick to the center of the road and skip any crowded stops at the start of the race.
Are you going for a BQ or a PR?
If you are trying to move as quickly as you can through your upcoming 26.2, you have to weigh the pros and cons of carrying water as it relates to speed. Will carrying something in your hand or around your waist result in discomfort and eventually cause you to slow down? Will the lack of water on-demand result in slight dehydration and negatively affect your performance? If you want to carry your own water but don't want the hassle, consider carrying a handheld for the first 16-20 miles and then toss it at an aid station and rely on course support for the remaining miles. This will help you stay hydrated in the critical early miles, but leave your hands free as the race wears on and you tire.
As a veteran of 31 marathons I still debate this question before each marathon. Typically, I carry my water bottle for a portion of the race, which allows me to bypass any crowded water stations in the early miles. Once I no longer feel like carrying the bottle, I toss it in a trash can at an aid station and rely on the on course support. In many large races, I drink right before the gun goes off, bypass the aid stations in the first 5-7 miles, and then rely on the course support from there on out.
In smaller marathons, where the aid stations are few and far between, I've carried my water the entire race. My slowest marathon was The Great Wall of China Marathon, where, in hindsight, I wish I’d used a hydration vest. I ran my fastest marathon at a small local race where I carried water for part of the race and then relied on the course support to get me through to the finish. There hasn't been a one-size-fits-all answer to how I hydrate during a race.
The best way to determine what will likely work for you on race day is to test out the various alternatives over the course of your training! Make a plan and "run" with it.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCOL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. SFC(P) Hercules Lobo MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnellSSG Leo Bell SFC William Farrell LTC (Join to see) SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser Maj Kim Patterson
From an outside perspective, running 26.2 miles at once would seem like the hardest thing about a marathon. But, for those who’ve committed to the distance, running can often feel like the easy part. Training, deciding what to eat and drink during the race, the details, the nerves and the unknown are far more stressful than the thought of putting one foot in front of the other.
A frequent concern of marathoners is whether to carry a water container on race day. Ultimately, this particular decision comes down to personal preference, but here are a few things to consider.
Did you train with water?
The “nothing new on race day” adage exists for a reason. Experiment during long training runs—not during the race. At marathon distance, there are a lot of uncontrollable variables, so you’ll want to take every opportunity to control what you can. If you didn't train to self-support, then rely on the course support.
Will there be water on course?
Don't assume that every race is going to have course aid stations. Many trail marathons and even some smaller road marathons will require you to carry your own hydration. If water is provided and you plan to rely on that, make sure to do your research ahead of time to see where the aid stations will be located. If you plan to drink only the course water, it's a good idea to practice hydrating at around the same mile it will be provided during the race.
Is your hydration pack allowed?
The New York City Marathon—the largest marathon in the world—bans the use of Camelbaks and other hydration backpacks. Prior to training for a race, make sure what you plan to train with is allowed, so you aren't scrambling last-minute to either purchase something else or rely on course aid stations when you prefer to carry your own water.
How large is the marathon?
The first aid station at any marathon is likely to be one of the most crowded of the entire race. Newer runners and first time marathoners might not be aware of water stop etiquette and suddenly come to a complete stop directly in front of you as they grab a cup of water. Getting tripped up early in a race is not how you want to start the day. For this reason, you may prefer to carry a bottle of water in the first miles, enabling you to stick to the center of the road and skip any crowded stops at the start of the race.
Are you going for a BQ or a PR?
If you are trying to move as quickly as you can through your upcoming 26.2, you have to weigh the pros and cons of carrying water as it relates to speed. Will carrying something in your hand or around your waist result in discomfort and eventually cause you to slow down? Will the lack of water on-demand result in slight dehydration and negatively affect your performance? If you want to carry your own water but don't want the hassle, consider carrying a handheld for the first 16-20 miles and then toss it at an aid station and rely on course support for the remaining miles. This will help you stay hydrated in the critical early miles, but leave your hands free as the race wears on and you tire.
As a veteran of 31 marathons I still debate this question before each marathon. Typically, I carry my water bottle for a portion of the race, which allows me to bypass any crowded water stations in the early miles. Once I no longer feel like carrying the bottle, I toss it in a trash can at an aid station and rely on the on course support. In many large races, I drink right before the gun goes off, bypass the aid stations in the first 5-7 miles, and then rely on the course support from there on out.
In smaller marathons, where the aid stations are few and far between, I've carried my water the entire race. My slowest marathon was The Great Wall of China Marathon, where, in hindsight, I wish I’d used a hydration vest. I ran my fastest marathon at a small local race where I carried water for part of the race and then relied on the course support to get me through to the finish. There hasn't been a one-size-fits-all answer to how I hydrate during a race.
The best way to determine what will likely work for you on race day is to test out the various alternatives over the course of your training! Make a plan and "run" with it.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCOL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. SFC(P) Hercules Lobo MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnellSSG Leo Bell SFC William Farrell LTC (Join to see) SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser Maj Kim Patterson
Should Runners Carry Water During a Race?
Posted from active.com
Running
Marathons
Fitness
Water
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 12
5
5
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Yes long distance runners should carry water SP5 Mark Kuzinski. Staying properly hydrated is very important to maintaining physical endurance.
(5)
(0)
3
3
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Great conversation, I have personal run several 5, 7K's and one half marathon. I did not carry water as the course provided stations.
(3)
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3
3
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I carry at least 20 ounces of water. There is water at aid stations, but you do need the ability to hydrate. I run slower than most so I am on the course longer.
(3)
(0)
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