Water carrying

[LisaGuy-Cowes]

Starting to get warmer now.  Who carries water?  Is there a certain time/distance when you should consider ?  

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

For me, I don't bother with water on a run for anything shorter than 5K ( I live in a hot humid climate - winter day temps in the mid 20C's) . But for longruns - 10K+ ,  I carry water and start to drink after about 4K - but not much , around 200 mls every 4K. I find that I can't stomach more than about 100 mls at a time while running. 

[LisaGuy-Cowes in reply to Bazza1234]

Thanks, yes think I'm on the point getting thirsty by end 5k, not running more than that, maybe I could if I did. Especially on warm days

[misswobble Graduate10]

More than 10k for me as I hate carrying anything.  I did 12k without water yesterday mind you but it wasn't hot.  I took a drink on my last 10k race though but I detest doing it 😊 

Getting dehydrated is the last thing you need though as it can lead to injury.  You might have to play it by ear to find out what suits you.  We're all different, and the weather will influence your choice of to carry water or not ☺

[poppypug Graduate10]

I always carry water with me if I am doing 5k and over . I would rather have it and not need it  rather than need it and not have it

I will take it on shorter runs too once the weather hots up xxx

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

One reason I do carry water on runs longer than 5K is that I can see "cardiac drift" in my heart rate - where your HR slowly climbs over time even though you are putting out the same effort - supposedly caused by dehydration as you sweat. During our summer this year ( at long last it seems to be receding), my HR during parkruns was approaching dangerous levels!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Bazza1234]

That's interesting Baz, I ALWAYS have this and I don't carry water. Maybe I should start. 9 miles is my limit so far.

[Bazza1234 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I did a sloooow 14K run/walk last week - and in spite of drinking half a litre of water during the run, I was still over 1Kg lighter when I weighed myself on my return - all water loss!! 

[Terrorrun Graduate10]

misswobble  I'm with you...I hate carrying stuff.  I have never actually taken any water with me yet ( not done a Summer as a grad yet ) and have been happy without it on my longest 10k runs which I have always done as a slow long run.  I think when it gets hotter I am going to take the 'stash a sealed bottle' option     

[benwill Graduate10]

I don't carry anything, for long long runs over 2hrs I would stop off at a shop and buy some water.  I might look at getting a camelbak type thing and see how I get on with that. 

[davelinks Graduate10]

No, don't carry water up to about 7-8k, stay well hydrated.. Usually sipping water throughout day. I try and drink 3lts a day..  Would probably carry some for a warm 10k plus, but not quite there yet..😊

[runningnearbeirut Graduate10]

Maybe I'm unusual, but I almost always regret not having water with me if (a) the temperature is over 20 degrees or (b) I run for more than half an hour. I seem to have acclimatised somewhat and have had a cardigan over my shoulders all day today despite the outside temperature getting up to 33! In my defence, it takes a while for the inside of buildings to warm up here.

Anyway, with one thing and another I haven't actually run for a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what happens this year when I go out for a run when it's over 20.

I don't drink much while I'm running, just a sip now and then, and then drink more on my warm down walk. I also splash some water on my wrists which helps cool me down too.

[Hidden]

So far I have run 12k without any water , it does depend on the individual  and the weather, 

It is just as impirtantbto be hydrated before running and on non running days,  I know I don't drink enough water , trying to rectify that .

[Maria62 Graduate10]

I hated the thought of carrying a water bottle but now see it as a 'comfort'.  I use a very small light water bottle and only half fill it.  It just gives me peace of mind to know I have a sip of water there if I should need it. For me, if I didn't have water with me, the little gremlins would have their say.  I do 5K twice a week and then one longer run, depending on how I feel.   Just do what suits you.