Water

[MartinKH]

Hi all,

I have just completed week 6 run 2, it went alright ....by one question please......

At the half way interval Michael Johnson invited me to have a drink of water before resuming my run. Great idea and a drink of water would have been very welcome, but I didn’t have any. Then I remembered I didn’t have any water either before setting out, as I normally would.

I’m keen to carry as little as possible when running and don’t particularly want to carry a water bottle. Do you find it’s sufficient to have a drink of water before running to keep you hydrated ?

I normally have water before and after a run.

Any advice appreciated 🙏

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I think everyone is different, i don’t carry water, the longest time running has been just under an hour i think if i was planning an hour or more i would carry a small bottle of water in a running belt

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

I've happily run 10k without carrying water. Although running abroad in heat last year I always carried water even on short runs. Best to keep well hydrated every day including rest days. Happy running

[davelinks Graduate]

You shouldn't need to carry water for c25k unless it's very hot, you need to be well hydrated all of the time, and not drink right before you run, maybe just have a glug of water beforehand.. have too much and you may want to pee.

The way I do it is to make sure I keep hydration up always, then in the hour before running I don't drink, maybe just have a glug to freshen the mouth and visit the loo often to drain.

[Roxdog Graduate]

I don't think it's necessary to carry water with you unless it's a heatwave! Water before and after is very important though!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Try and keep hydrated 7 days a week and not just on run days . I've always drank the recommended 2-3 litres, it works. Then you shouldn't need to carry any on your run 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate]

blimey, I think the main thing is to be hydrated, and for me personally I dont take water unless I am going for more than 7 miles, or I am not feeling 100%... but we are all different, so do what works for you

[Defnotarunner Graduate]

I carry water for every run but I have sjogrens syndrome and issues with dry mouth as a result as I don't produce as much saliva as a normal person. I find with my mouth gets dry breathing is more difficult so I sip water a couple of times in each session to keep things working as they should but its not really about hydrating my body, just lubricant for my mouth! 😂

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I don’t carry water, it would drive me nuts sloshing about. I like to carry as little as possible too. I try to drink plenty of tea during the morning as I usually run just before lunch, and make sure I have a small glass of water before I go out 😁

[AU510 Graduate]

I carry a very small bottle - about 250 ml. It's light in the hand, just enough for a much needed sip or two on the longer runs and easy to slip in a pocket (I run in track trousers) if I don't want to continue holding it.

[MartinKH Graduate]

Thanks all for the replies and suggestions. Much appreciated 🙏

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you will find more advice on hydration for runners.

I would not carry a bottle in your hand as this creates muscular asymmetry and often leads to aching shoulders and neck.

[Gememms Graduate]

Hi - I carry water - the small Karrimor hand bottle shaped like an "O". I need it in any weather and any distance - just become a thing. I did some 400m interval training for speed yesterday and i think i drank the most. My runs take me a while - just hit sub 40 mins for 5K so i do go through a fair amount. Happy running.