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Best Hydration Belt for Marathon
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benny25
Aug 27, 08 10:11
Post #1 of 21 (609 views)
Best Hydration Belt for Marathon
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Looking to buy a hydration belt for marathon. I am a tri guy looking to branch out. Looks like Fuel Belt and Nathan are the leaders Out of the differnt belts for that distance which one do you recommend. I here of issues with bottles flopping around, chaffing, comfort, breathablity. Should I go with a 2 or 4 up. I was thinking 2 up with teh idea I can always fill up with course fluids when they run out and not have to worry about weight.........Any thougths
Bucky
Aug 27, 08 10:18
Post #2 of 21 (601 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Yeah. Don't do it. You don't need it in a marathon. Save your money. Use the one you already have for training and if you really need that much fluid, walk through the water stops to get it all down. Unless you're running an uncatered course, why carry all the extra weight?
denali2001
Aug 27, 08 10:19
Post #3 of 21 (598 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Are you sure you need one for a standalone mary? Don't see many on the course, especially towards the front (3:10 or better crowd). Obviously, just because no one else does it, doesn't mean YOU can't do it (no one used aero bars before Greg Lemond). However, you can usually carry a couple gels in a pouch or pocket and most well run marathons have fluids every mile or so which eliminates the need for you to carry your own. The key is to practice drinking from cups while on the run. Not trying to be dismissive, if you need a fuel belt, go for it, just think you might want to think it through.
fred_h
Aug 27, 08 10:24
Post #4 of 21 (579 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Why do you need a belt?
Can't you use water, gatorade provided at the various aid stations and carry the appropriate number of gels (depending on how many gel stations they have)?
Fred
benny25
Aug 27, 08 10:34
Post #5 of 21 (523 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [fred_h]
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Thanks for the info. The reason I asked is I did my first Olympic distance last weekend and cramped up in my legs really bad (only the inside of my upper quads - Vastus Medialis). I am not new to hard training but it has always been short distance tri's. I believe what happen was I although I felt great after the swim and on the bike I did not refuel correctly. I actually did not drink or eat anything on the bike thinking I could do it right at the start of the run or on the run but I am assuming I was too late. So trying to eliminate this from happening ever again because it was terrible. My thought was for this first marathon doing it with Fuel belt so I can get nutrient right of the bat. Although as you said if there is a refueling station every mile then why carry the weight and spend the money. What would be your couple of top choices to carry other then fluids for this marathon ?
CPT Chaos
Aug 27, 08 10:44
Post #6 of 21 (508 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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I would say your cramping was more due to fatigue than hydration or nutrition. In a oly, you won't have burned enough kcals to be really depleted and unless it was really hot/humid than your water loss wasn't likely to be so much to be the primary cause. It seems more likely that the hard effort on the bike along with the swim really fatigued your legs more than you give credit.
Jack
A wise observer once said: “what can be left to later, usually is – and then, alas, it’s too late.”
T.S. Elliot once said, "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
Thoughts on 2008
IM Switzerland
70.3 Austria, UK, and Monaco
Xterra Italy, Germany, UK and hopefully Maui
Kona.......or IM Western Australia...
fred_h
Aug 27, 08 10:49
Post #7 of 21 (499 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Look at the marathon you are doing to find out what they will provide and where are the aid stations and gel stations.
I usually wear a tri short (underneath my run short) with back pockets where I put my gels if I need to carry more than 2 gels.
I have to carry only two gels I usually hold them in my hand.
Fred.
JBell
Aug 27, 08 10:50
Post #8 of 21 (498 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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"My thought was for this first marathon doing it with Fuel belt so I can get nutrient right of the bat."
And that is why ITS A GOOD IDEA to use a fuel belt in a marathon. Because you can have what you need, when you need it. I have used a fuel belt in my marathons, and I carry salt pills, plus infinite sports drink. I may also carry one or two of my favourite gels... my stomach thanks me when I'm running. Good luck.
RobK
Aug 27, 08 11:02
Post #9 of 21 (481 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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If you think you really have to carry extra stuff like salt tabs and gels, use a small bum bag, use shorts with decent pockets or have someone at halfway to hand them off to you. If it's a decent race there will be plenty to drink even if there isn't enough in the way of carbs. Putting my runner's hat on, the only thing that says "not a serious runner" more than one of those batman utility belts is one of those bottles with a hole in the middle to put your hand through. Try asking this on letsrun as an exercise in how much abuse you can get in a single day...
Rob
denali2001
Aug 27, 08 11:11
Post #10 of 21 (464 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [RobK]
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I second the "hand off" at the halfway point. My wife gave me a bottle of diluted gatorade with a squirt top in my last marathon. It was great to get in a nice refuel without having to bother with the cups on the run. This is legal in road races, unlike tri's which bar "outside assistance."
Unless you plan on a 6-hour marathon, I don't think you need salt tabs, gels, etc. You should be able to get through the race with sports drink and 2-3 gels. The nutrition needs of a marathon are very different than triathlon.
ck21trhc
Aug 27, 08 11:23
Post #11 of 21 (447 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Best by far is the nathan speed belt. All the bottles are 10oz versus the fuelbelt is 8oz and the nathan speed belt is easier to get the bottles in and out. I have used both and have stayed with the nathan speed belt.
I haev run three marathons with that belt and it holds up great.
chris
Fast&Crooked
Aug 27, 08 11:42
Post #12 of 21 (426 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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I have used both Nathan and Fuel- Nathan is more comfortable to wear and easier to get the bottle in and out. The 2 bottle is more than enough hydration.
Turbomentor
Aug 27, 08 12:05
Post #13 of 21 (401 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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Buy a Fuel Belt Helium 4 bottle...but not for the race. I don't know how people do 12-20 mile runs without some form of portable hydration. You need a hydration system for these kind of runs. Or you can drive out ahead of time and stash water everywhere. Or perhaps you are lucky enough to live where there are multiple water fountains (I'm lucky that way!)
No need to carry any kind of hydration system with you during a marathon. There are aid stations every mile. Aid stations are stocked with water and Gatorade. Or Gatorade Endurance. Drink Gatorade for carbs and hydration; the science is very unclear as to wheter the electrolytes in sports drinks really do anything for you at all. The Science of Sport website has a great article on cramping that opened my eyes quite a bit. In any case, WATER is good for you also on the run.
The aid stations also carry gels for nutrition. Buy a Fuel Belt race number with the elastic loops and carry gels with you, or just grab a handful as you run past the aid station. Unless your tummy just can't handle the particular brand they are serving...most of the gels these days are virtually the same. Of course, their marketing departments will tell you how different they all are, but come on...The higher end races will have aid stations stocked with other stuff too. Cookies, bananas, oranges etc. I have never worn my Fuel Belt during a marathon and never needed it. I DID wear it for a half marathon one time and kind of regretted the extra weight (not that much really) and the "encumbrance" factor.
benny25
Aug 27, 08 12:10
Post #14 of 21 (383 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [Turbomentor]
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Folks ...Great answers and thanks for your time.
esimontis
Aug 27, 08 12:22
Post #15 of 21 (368 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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FWIW, I use an amphipod run lite (mostly just for run training--haven't used one in a race). But I love it. the bottles snap in and you can do it one-handed. Never had any problems with it. REI has them
http://www.rei.com/product/750372
jmickle11
Aug 27, 08 12:29
Post #16 of 21 (353 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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I've got the Nathan 2 bottle and I like it. I'm training for a Marathon right now and have use it on 15 mile runs so far. I'll probably use it for the race as I don't like trying to drink from cups. It usually ends up going up my nose or I end up half choking while trying to drink from a cup. I really don't care what other people think and I'll be shooting for a 3:15 or better not that that's a quick time by any means but I'm not a 5 hour runner needing extra hydration!
dg8trs
Aug 27, 08 12:47
Post #17 of 21 (335 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [Bucky]
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A whole lot of folks who went without water during last year's Chicago marathon would disagree with you.
If a Fuel Belt is not too chafing over that distance, I think it is a wise insurance policy on a hot day.
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Bell Head
Aug 27, 08 12:51
Post #18 of 21 (328 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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I agree with most of the above posts. Don't bother carrying fuel in a marathon. If it is a really big and crowded marathon, carry a small throw-away water bottle with fuel to get you past the first few aid stations. That allows you to avoid the early crowds.
After that, use what is provided on course. And find out what that is and train with it. You can get used to anything if you choose to, even gatorade.
Victor
taos111
Aug 27, 08 15:23
Post #19 of 21 (262 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [Bell Head]
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I always get a kick out of watching people in a marathon or an Ironman looking like a bunch of pack mules. This is along the lines of previous discussions regarding people who try to save an ounce on a bike frame or component, and then stick 4 or 5 bike bottles on the frame when aid stations are only 10 or 12 miles apart in most Ironman races.
Most marathons and Ironman marathons have aid stations every mile stocked with everything you need. Even in the slowest cases, if you can’t go 10 minutes without a drink, then carry a bottle and throw it away when you are done with it. They are far easier to refill then 4 or 6 or 8 tiny little bottles.
I think that the use of fuel belts is due to inexperience where people think that they have to carry every conceivable item with them in case of the 1 in a 100 chance that they may need something. After a while you realize that you are tired of all the extra weight and banging around and go light. It is the same thing with Backpacking. The first few times you carry everything in the world you think you might need, then after numerous trips of never actually using any of those items, you stop bringing them.
I had to laugh when I participated in a corporate challenge charity race where we were to run 1 mile in a relay. I looked around at the other runners and saw many wearing fuel belts. I even saw some with the 6 bottle version.
Now training runs are another story. However, I still think that it is a pain to refill all the tiny bottles when it is easier to carry a full sized bottle or even a bladder if the runs are long enough.
ericM35-39
Aug 27, 08 15:55
Post #20 of 21 (251 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [benny25]
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none.
measure your sweat loss in training, at the same weather conditions as your race. Add water on the course at that rate... add a little extra for the gels you will take (also tested in training). keep your fluid intake steady, rather than gulping it down all at once.
A minute per pound. That's what extra weight costs you... if you can lose 10 lbs, you'll save 10 minutes. No need to muck that formula up w/ 4 lbs of fluids on your belt.
denali2001
Aug 27, 08 16:52
Post #21 of 21 (227 views)
Re: Best Hydration Belt for Marathon [dg8trs]
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I don't think it makes a difference if it's a hot day. On a hot day, you can't carry enough fluids on your own (perhaps even more so) so you're still dependent on the on-course support. Sure some of those people might disagree with me and wish they were loaded up with water and gels and salt tabs like a bunch of pack mules, but I'd probably disagree with them whether they were properly prepared for the race. The aid stations in Chicago ran out of water after several hours of racing. And there are some smart people who agree with me:
http://www.sportsscientists.com/...oke-how-fast-do.html
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