What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

Runner's Forum: Marathon question

Bottom of Page

1 to 8 of 8

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberrob911
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    rob911
    Is it against the rules to wear your own camel-pak or water bottles during a race? Or is the extra weight not worth it?
  2.  
    changingground

    Rob-

    I've never heard any prohibition against bringing your own water or other fluids (at least in the 5 races I've done- probably not a representative sample, but...).

    People seem to be all over the map on this topic. Some feel that the extra weight is a liability, others want to be sure they have enough of the fluids they know they're comfortable with to carry them through without risking GI problems or dehydration. I'm sure there are a bunch of people who ran in the Chicago Marathon who wish they'd carried their own.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberrob911
    • CommentTimeJan 16th 2008
     
    rob911
    It used to be you worried about not drinking enough, now you have to worry about drinking too much. How do you know? Is there a guideline or is it just something you have to learn from training and experience?
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberemilyward
    • CommentTimeJan 16th 2008
     
    emilyward
    I wore my camel back at the last half marathon I did, but I was just walking it.  I dont think I would want to run with one and wont be using it for the next half in April.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberrunner_twin
    • CommentTimeJan 18th 2008 edited
     
    runner_twin
    rob911, I would go check the race rules (most races will have them posted on the web site) every race is different. And the easiest way to tell if you drink enough is when your pee turns clear. When it does that your; good not much more or less. Excessive electrolytes or multivitmins will usually turn it a slight yellow so be carefull there.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberbabciaruns
    • CommentTimeJan 18th 2008
     
    babciaruns

    Due to personal health issues, I need to carry my own hydration while running any distance. Therefore, for each of the 8 Half Marathons, and 3 Marathons I have run, I have used my Camelbak back hydration unit. It works well for me, carrys enough of my sport drink and I know my hydration needs will be met.

    I don't notice the extra weight on my shoulders. I found that I can't rely on the race organizers to adequatly meet my hydration needs. During some of the above mentioned races water was in short supply.

    I agree with runner_twin, check with the race rules and then if it could be a problem and you have a medical conditon, contact the organizers or race director.

    Happy Running!

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberway2fast
    • CommentTimeJan 22nd 2008
     
    way2fast

     I personally don't think the extra wieght is worth bringing a camel-pak unless you're going to be running your marathon where it is suposed to be extreamly hot and another thing to think about is the potential for chaffing, cause chaffing = no fun.

     Oh and one last thing if you do use the camel-pak be sure to put some kind of sports drink with electrolytes because drinking just water is dangerous due to an electrolyte defficentcy that developes as you sweat.

    Remember, Fun is simply someones failed attempt to spell run. Wink

  8.  
    pdxsnowboarder
    I've never heard of restrictions against camelbacks or water bottles in marathons, but to be honest, I've never really looked at the rules that deeply. To me, if I feel the need to make sure I have enough liquid for a run, I'll bring what I need. Better to have to much liquid than not enough. I've heard enough horror stories about water stations (or lack of them) to trust the organizers to provide what I need to complete a marathon. As for the weight, I noticed my camelback the first couple of times I used it, but now I don't even know it's there.  My 2 cents Laughing

1 to 8 of 8

  1.