On Sunday, I had my first ride on my new bike! But that excitement is not what this post is about –
We met a lady on our loop. Thoroughly dehydrated, unable to walk or talk, sitting on the sidewalk, and threw up when we gave her some water. She was running without ANY water or fuel (we saw plenty of people like that). Her reasoning – she’d get water at the park entrances. That was still 2.5-3 miles without water in the heat, or as much as 5 miles if there was no water at the long end.

I cannot comprehend going even 1 mile in heat of any kind and I could not understand how she took that risk. And of course, I noticed many more  people without water that day.

What is it about carrying water that puts off people? A few extra pounds? A bit of discomfort? I suppose collapsing from dehydration on the side of a road is a better option?

There are so many easy ways to carry water, fuel and the kitchen sink too – Hydration Belts (Amphipod, Nathan, Fuel Belt, iFitness, … ), Hand Helds (Amphipod, Nathan, … ) and Camel Backs. At around $40-50, they are a once in a lifetime investment and a necessary staple of running at any distance in any weather.

In additional to water, I carry electrolytes in the form of Nuun Hydration tablets (this has replaced Gatorade/Powerade for me). I always carry Sports Beans or a Gu gel or Stinger Chews with me, even if I am going for the shortest 3 mile run. There have been some really sucky short runs where I’ve been terribly exhausted in 5 minutes and needed something to propel me onwards. During my really long runs, I tend to carry things that closely resemble preparation for a camping trip (as one of my running mates put it).

At worst, a plastic bottle of tap water has saved the day and run for me.

What proper hydration does for your body