Sarah and the Water Bottle that Wasn't.

[sarah469]

Pfff! Just back from an evening run. Another 8K, my longest run to date at exactly 8.07km.

Just before my run I pondered if I should, for once, take a water bottle with me on my run as it seems quite hot out there! But I decided not as I just hate the feeling of holding something with sweaty hands, and I didn't have an alternative way of transporting it.

The run itself went was fine physically, better than I was expecting actually. Recently I've been pushing myself a bit with pace (starting off at 6:15/km-ish and gradually getting slower) and today I decided to start off easier. Started off at 7:20/km and actually I ended up keeping the pace much steadier and did my fastest overall 5K+ pace in recent weeks!

But BOY OH BOY, did I regret not having that water bottle. My mouth got chapped at about 4K, I almost got a stitch, just horrible. I ended up having to cut short the route I planned (which would have been over 8K so more than my target for today anyway) and make sure I ended the 8K RIGHT outside my house. Normally I am pretty determined to finish what I set out to do when it comes to my running sessions, but decided in this instance that getting water into me was more important than my own stubbornness...

Cue mad rush to the kitchen as soon as I hit 8K, bent over the kitchen sink, never been so happy to see running water in my life.

On the positive side it distracted me mentally from any of my usual niggles while running (calves, blisters, knees, hips) and I must say I'm feeling pretty ache-free right now! (I'll be regretting that statement tomorrow...)

My Race for Life 10K is in early July. Now seriously considering getting one of those O-shaped water bottles with a handle. I think I understand now why there aren't so many races scheduled in July and August! Feeling good about the race though, I have 5 weeks to increase my long run by another 2km. Reckon if I get to 9-9.5K before race day, the atmosphere will drag me through the extra 1km.

The moral of the story: stay hydrated out there in the heat, guys and gals!

Happy running xxx

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done Sarah! You are doing so well and will be more than ready for your Race for Life the way things are going! Once you have cracked 8k the jump to 10k is not huge and I suspect you may crack 10k before race day! I also hate carrying water bottles and have only done so on a couple of occasions when it has been really hot. I have one of those of shaped bottles and they are better than carrying bottle shaped bottles!! Now I am increasing distance I may have to look at one of those mini - bottle belts so I have it with me if I need it. Hope you don't ache too much tomorrow - I am a little stiff in places after my run this morning (😮) but that is not unusual when I increase my distance. Take care🙂

[sarah469 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Hi Sandra, thanks for your thoughts on the water bottle! And sorry you are feeling achey, I am too a bit now (but because I was so busy drinking gallons of water, I didn't spend so much time doing stretches after my run! *slaps self on wrist*)

And I am not sure why really, but I don't really want to reach 10K before my race, just want it to be a milestone on the day I guess. Maybe that's a bit risky but it's just what I feel like doing! I'll make sure I am close though!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to sarah469]

Sounds like a plan and will make the day extra special!🙂

[poppypug Graduate10]

Hi Sarah

Really Well done on your run today, you'll nail that 10k no problem !

I always take water with me, I have one of those doughnut shaped bottles with an handle , I am used to carrying one now. I did have one that was in a belt, but I cant always rely on myself to put the top back on properly and ended up with a soggy phone once

I had a bad experience on a hot day last year at a race. The blurb said that there was a water station at 5k, I had guzzled most of my water by then as it was so hot, and was looking forward to a bottle , what they didn't tell you was that it was a flimsy plastic cup which was really inadequate. I tend to be over cautious now , better to have it and not use it than need it and not have it ! xxx

[sarah469 Graduate10 in reply to poppypug]

Thank you for your words of encouragement Poppy, as always So grateful for the support you give everyone on here!

I hope your phone survived the sogginess?! I could investigate/try a belt but it just sounds like a faff, I hate having to fiddle with anything on me while I am running, the belt I have for my phone (music) is as much baggage as I can stand I think!

My other half ran a 5K during a triathlon once, and, on reaching the water station, threw two of those plastic cups over his head and proceeded to drink about 4. It was a hot day, but I think the two young boys manning the station didn't quite know what to think!

[poppypug Graduate10 in reply to sarah469]

Thank you Sarah, that is really kind of you xxx

Yes my phone was fine, thanks ! I must be really lucky as it has taken loads of drenchings since Ive been running I have even dropped it I the dogs water bowl, and It worked perfectly

I remember when I did a race last year in Leeds, luckily it wasn't hot but I saw the signs for the water station and thought I would have a top up. It was like been waiting to be served in a packed bar ! Everyone was around the table descending on a very nervous lady with a water jug trying to fill all these plastic cups that were been thrust upon her ! Ha ha

I think your hubby definitely had the right idea , you've got to take it when you can ! xxx

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate10]

I haven't seen these O-shaped bottles. Maybe get one of each - abelt with bottle and an

O-shaped one. See which suits you better ahead of your race.

[sarah469 Graduate10 in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thanks - if you haven't seen them, this is what I mean! amazon.co.uk/dp/B001UABXZU

[farawaytree74 Graduate10]

Looks like you will get there for July. I agree water bottles are an annoying appendage so i don't take one. I had to carry my phone today which got all sweaty as the clip on pouch I put it in became too heavy and my leggings kept falling down. Oh what a sight for sore eyes that was! ☺️

[Noaky12 Graduate10]

Well done on the run Sarah. You will def nail the 10k for sure.

I have a belt with 2 wee water bottles which is really comfy & apart from the sloshing sound from the bottles you forget you're wearing it.

However, it did cause me to leap out of my skin the other night when my elbow nudged one of the bottles while running & I honestly thought for a nano second I had nudge someone standing right behind me.....😥 😆😆😆

[AnnieW55]

I've run with bottle, bottles and O-bottles and the latter is definitely preferable - but I still hated it! Like Noaky I have a belt with 2 small bottles in holders and there's also a small zipped pocket in mine which takes a few bits. Mine is SDs own brand for 9.99 but you can get posher types for a lot more money.

[davelinks Graduate10]

If you don't like holding something with sweaty hands, then you can get a hydration belt..

[Terrorrun Graduate10]

Hate, hate hate to carry them ( even the o ones ) I now stash one ( maybe more on longer runs ) along my route and pick up along the way.

[Sarah-A Graduate10]

I generally don't take a water bottle with me either as I hate holding anything, but a few weeks back, being a scorcher, I had decided I would take a water bottle. It was one of the types with the built in handle (similar to the 'O' shaped ones you mentioned). I froze the water in the bottle so I would slowly defrost. Holding the cool water bottle definitely helped lower my overall body temp. After about 2 miles, I stopped for a little sip - big mistake. I got a stitch/cramp (Which I haven't had for years) - so severe that I had to walk. I ended up walk/running the rest of the way home feeling defeated.

I have run since holding the iced water bottle, but not drunk from it since. If the weather warms up again, i'm going to have to re-think things...