Drinking water during races... ITS HARD (Read 1019 times)

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Thanks for all the advice guys... I think i like the straw advice. I will try that on my next long run. As for the beer advice... I was never good at the whole shotgunning/kegstands.. i guess i have to learn how to relax the jaw I think i have refused to walk in my past runs becuase some sort of pride thing... I like the feeling knowing that i have ran (or in my case jogged) the entire distance. but in a marathon or half marathon i know safety such as hydration comes first and may walk the water stands if the straw doesnt work.

http://news.runtowin.com/2007/08/09/how-do-you-drink-water-during-a-race.html

I agree 100% with Blaine, so I thought it would be worthwhile to quote his advice and the picture again... Also, practice, practice, practice! Not just practicing how to hold the cup, but practice how to drink and run at the same time. This is not usually something that you're born with, but once you learn how, it is easy. Of course, a few seconds might not matter if we're talking about chess or bowling, but even marathon races record your time down to the second, so to me it matters! Also, I'm sure there are people who have missed running a Boston marathon qualifier by a second or two who wish they'd cut a second or two somewhere off of their time...

The straw technique really isn't awkward at all. It's quite nice -- try it! If I don't use a straw I spill 90% all over myself. That's OK with water but Gatorade is sticky! I only use a straw during races. I use a Fuel Belt for long runs and there's no need for a straw with water bottles. Greg

I guess the best thing to do is trial and error. I dont plan on running my first hm until october of this year. Im sure a could do one now but I would like to be well prepared. Ill look in my local sports shop and see what i can find.

Don't discount the drinking straw method! It is a very ingenius method for drinking on the run. What you do is take a flexible drinking straw and cut the long end down to about 5 inches or a little longer than the depth of the cups they will use at the aid stations. Then you carry the straw with you by sticking it in your waistband, sewing a loop of fabric as a holder on your shorts or shirt, making a loop on your hat or visor, what-have-you. Then when you get to the aid station, use the "crimp the top of the cup closed" technique Blaine posted a picture of (which I dittoed just above), but instead of gulping the liquid from one end of the cup, insert your straw and sip it from the straw. Many people swear they get less spillage this way and can drink more. The main problems with the straw are carrying it and making sure you don't throw it away with a cup during your race. I still prefer to just crimp the top of the cups closed and drink out of the formed spout.