Water when running

[Crib]

Just finished the 3rd run in 10 is the magic number week1, felt the difference of the extra 0.5K, I have never taken a drink on a run yet & wondered at what run distances should I consider taking water with me. I usually eat one jelly baby after 3K but I think that’s a ‘mind thing’ really 😅😅

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Hmm - I fear that I may not be very well received after what I have to say about this - I come from a hot country and personally never feel the need to drink up to the 10K mark, that is not to say that I shouldn't however - perhaps I should? However I have seen instances of people carrying around water bottles and swigging from them in places/times where I would not expect to see them - from checkout operators in supermarkets appearing to drink every few minutes to people who I am sure are just going for a strolling walk. Hence I suspect that for some this obvious need to drink may have a psychological element to it?? Nevertheless, I think it is very much a personal thing with some needing to drink more often than others. I am not sure however that as individuals our real need for water varies much between us all for a given task.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

I bought one of those silly little hole in the middle bottles when I started but have since binned it.

Everyone is different but I only carry water on runs over an hour and then its only a small 300ml belt bottle. I have only used it a couple of times and then only to wet the whistle so to speak.

If you're well hydrated normally you should be ok up to an hour. I always have fluids ready at the end however. 👍😉

[Crib Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Many thanks, I was thinking of getting a belt for when I venture into Parkruns in the next 2 months, this was so I have somewhere to put my car keys etc, so may get one with the 250ml bottle included.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Have you been getting thirsty? As it has been so hot, I have been taking water for any distance over 5km - but I am a profuse sweater! For my 9-10km runs in the heat I take water with an electrolyte tab in it. It has been a lifesaver! I usually pause for a 20 second walk and long drink halfway through my 10k and it really peps me up for the rest of the run!

[Sqkr]

I'd echo a similar thing to the other replies, I personally only take a bottle with me for 15k+—basically the point at which it's recommended you get some replacement electrolytes—though have also started taking a tiny bottle for 10k+ in the recent super warm spell. But I'm not much of a drinker in general, and I hate carrying stuff if I can avoid it. I do take a pound coin though in case I get caught out with a thirst after going out in the heatwave and unexpectedly running out!

Really I doubt there's a right answer, we're all pretty different. Do you feel excessively dehydrated when you get back? If so you could take a small bottle out and see if you use it. Better to have something than not, but you probably don't really need anything till you're out for more than an hour 🙂

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I hate carrying things when running and don’t take drinks but I haven’t ran beyond 11k yet.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

You will get many replies from folk who say "only over 10k". I generally don't take water on less than a 10k unless it's hot and then I do like the comfort of knowing it's there. I hate carrying stuff on runs but it is necessary as our distances get longer - BUT I think you should do what feels right for you! Plenty of people like to take water on shorter runs, especially in this heat. I have a sister who has done many Half marathons and always takes water on much shorter runs. Whether it's psychological or physical doesn't really matter - do what you feel suits you! And good luck with your '10 is the magic number'!🙂

[Hidden]

because it's so hot and humid, and because i made myself ill a couple of weeks go running without it, i now dose up even for 5k run, water and electrolytes, and carry a small bottle with me. Hydration backpack for longer runs. Because i lived in hot countries as a kid and don't feel the heat or have that much have a thirst, i had to learn the hard way. 28 degrees for part of my run yesterday evening. It's the humidity thaat causes the problems i think.

[Ang33333]

Well I'm carrying a small bottle of water for all my runs. I'm well hydrated before I run and I know I don't actually need it but my mouth gets so so dry and I just take a mouthful if I need to. Not really drinking but mouth wetting! I also use the water to wet me too! I hate the heat and it works for me. When it's cooler I probably won't need it 😎

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

I never took anything until past 10k, but now I take water for anything over 5 and generally now take it every run. A large part of that though was finding a way to carry it that didn't annoy me. I find hard bottles too heavy/sloshy and annoying so that put me off for a while. But I found you can get soft pouches with a bite valve that fit in the hand, basically a squeezable bag with a finger loop. Because they are soft you squeeze them as you run so no slosh, plus they are way lighter so you don't notice them. Plus they come in very small sizes, ie 150ml and 250ml. I have both and now take one for most runs other than 20k plus where i have a backpack.

I'm a mouth breather(in and out) so my mouth gets too dry without a sip every now and then. There's no benefit in not drinking often other than avoiding the toilet, so if you can you should and it definitely helps when running in 25c + heat. The other benefit of having water is you can spray it on your face/wet your buff ect

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

..am loving the sound of these soft water pouches..can you tell me what they're called or post a link? I have an unused backpack type for very long runs (having stuck with two small bottles on a belt until now!) Something else for the 10k or hot runs would be good though. I am always on the look out for the perfect solution, which would ideally be someone on the sidelines handing me a bottle and showering me down!!😮😉

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Yes it took me a few revisions to discover these so happy to share. Decathlon do them quite cheaply 250ml one which I find to be ideal for most runs decathlon.co.uk/trail-runni...

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Many thanks!

[EB43 Graduate10]

It’s going to be one of those personal trial and error things I am afraid to see if and when you need to have water available. I have to take medication which increases my risk of dehydration so it’s a no brainier for me even on shorter runs. I tend to find that I need the water most once I’ve stopped unless I’m hitting the 12K plus mark when I tend to need some water during the run. I’m a mouth breather so find it’s often more about stopping my mouth feeling like sandpaper than anything else. Personally I hate having water in a running belt and hate things on my back so am quite happy to run with a bottle in my hand and tune into the regular slosh of water in a bottle as I run (I often count the sloshing and it helps me keep tempo).

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Check this out..useful advice?

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

I have a Zikee belt with two small bottles in.. very user friendly and comfy.... usually take 1 if I am heading for a 10K.. but did get caught out one very hot morning, only on a 5K..had to stop and buy one to pour over my neck and wrists:),

[AnnieW55]

I take water on longer runs, especially if it’s hot and/or humid.

One thing I have been doing this year to keep my mouth from totally drying out is chewing peppermint gum. Not everyone’s favourite thing I know. (I was banned from gum as a child so making up for lost time now. as there’s no one to stop me😀).

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to AnnieW55]

This is what I do and find chewing gum keeps my mouth from getting dry

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Firstly well done on your progress. When I started C25k I took water on anything more than 5k. In this heat it’s a great idea. For me now, I take water on anything more than a 10k. But that’s because I have been running for a while.