Do you take water on your runs?

[parkbirdy]

I hate having to carry anything - but this muggy weather is getting to me on longer runs. I find my mouth is quite parched and i'm as hot as a beetroot straight out of the oven.

Any idea what the advice is?

[rosn123 Graduate]

I bought one of those running bottles that is easy to hold. I find it quite unobtrusive while I'm running and even a few sips of water helps. I definitely needed it yesterday.

[fightingfit Graduate]

I hate running carrying a bottle of water so i think i might invest in one of the easy hold ones! An idea also is to put chewing gum in your mouth but not neccesarily chew it - it helps from keeping your mouth from getting too dry! xx

[lizfish]

I stopped carrying water when we got to the longer runs. I find it tricky to drink while running anyway. And I can generally wait till I get in for a slurp. Plus carrying one used to make my arm ache and I was carrying too much tension in that arm. Might change my mind if I go on to do 10 k or something.

The chewing gum idea prob not a bad one, just make sure you don't choke on it.

[nettyk]

On week one I didn't take any water, and twice I ended up with a headache due to dehydration. So since then I now take a small water bottle with me. I refill an old water bottle (330ml) and made a hole in the lid so I can sip a little bit at a time, I have to run with my finger over the hole but so far that hasn't bothered me

I have looked for a running water bottle but I can't find them where I live, so when I come back to UK I intend to buy one (and stock up on some new shorts and tops for running too).

It is Ramadan soon though so no water in public for me, not decided yet whether to give up the running for this time period

[LillyBeth]

I carry water (in one of those runners' bottles) when I run. Normally I don't need it but it's much appreciated when I do, and provided I hold it loosely and don't fill it right up I don't get an arm ache. If I didn't take water I'd worry about getting a really dry throat, which can make me cough till I gag!

[notbad Graduate]

In the warmer weather I need to carry water, I have a smallish bottle so no arm ache. I tend to get very hot so couldn't get by without it.

[lycranotlikely Graduate]

I bought a bottle but only half filled it. It's v light but the sloshing around drives me mad!!

[parkbirdy Graduate in reply to lycranotlikely]

see next tip - i really like the idea of mainly chilling it and less sloshing!

[Ally-d Graduate]

My small running bottle made my arm ache so I now use a small re fillable liquid bottle like you would fill to take on an aeroplane with shampoo 75 ml, £1for 5 in primark, I freeze it half full then top it up before I go running then it's nice and cold and melts as I get hot, I read that large ladies who get hot run better with cold hands, hence the frozen water!

[parkbirdy Graduate in reply to Ally-d]

this is a really good tip to add to all the other advice. I like the idea of freezing a bit -having a really refreshing drink might mean needing to take less with me.

i'm going to have to investigate different bottles now

[Hidden]

When doing 5K I make sure I drink enough water in the afternoon before the run and then I don't need to talke water wtih me