Thanks to everyone who has contributed ideas, all much apprciated.
I’m currently looking at using one of three strategies:
- Use whats on the course (at the moment these products aren’t working well for me)
- Take gels etc plus water (ordered some desoto pocket tri shorts to hold the gels yet to recieve/test, top pockets another option).
3)Use a camelbak
I like the idea of fuelbelts waist belts but when i’ve tried them i’ve found them very uncomfortable, both on my GI system and also breathing (I must belly breath a fair bit when I run). In the future I want to get fuel belts to work for me, but 5 weeks out its too late for this ironman.
If I use a camelback it will most likely be a hydrobak (similar but smaller to the rocket I currently use). I find packs this size small enough that if i tighten the shoulder straps they sit high and firm around my shoulders, no bouncing and no where near my mid section (does still create a small warm spot though).
I would start with 52 ounces of fluid(or a bit less) and swap the bladder at special needs (or dump and do last half on coke/water). This means total start weight would be 62 ounces end weight 10 ounces (empty pack weight) so average weight would be 3lbs (or a touch less).
I know this is a fair bit to carry but anything that keeps be going is worth it.
Just one of three options at the moment, I plan to keep fine tuning all three options over the next few weeks and will decide closer to the day.
Thanks all.
PS: to the guy/gal who mentioned 20lbs, thats awesome, if you can drink 20lbs of fluid over a half marathon thats legendary, the guys I went to engineering school with would worship you!!! Can you do it with beer?