Dot, Thanks, that was very informative! I think I will get one now, and start using it during
training, as there just seems too many if's and but's concerning flavours and how often they are in
the run. This is a concern for 'me' because I do have a rather sensitive stomach, and get
indegestion easily. For 15 years I have had to eat the same food on game day before a rugby game
(80mins) so as to not throw up, cramp, or both. Fun huh? I am very aware of the need for regular
intake of food/water during long distant events. At the pinacle of my rugby career, we would be
weighed before during and after a game, calculating how much fluid we had taken in vs output, and
there were some very interesting statistics which makes you appreciate the need for fluids!
Anyway, thanks for your insight. Much appreciated. Brendon
"Dot" <dot.h@#att.net> wrote in message news:ahHFb.512986$0v4.21915193@bgtnsc04-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net... Brendon said:Also, didn't want to start a new thread, but what are peoples thoughts on getting a hydration
system such as a CamelBak? Thanks again. Brendon in NZ
If your marathon is well-supported and (1) has fluids and food at sufficiently frequent intervals,
(2) you've practiced with those fluids/foods and know they work for you, and (3) you don't mind
consuming such as those intervals of aid stations, then there may not be a need for a camelbak (cb).
If any of the above assumptions are false, then I would suggest carrying something - either water
bottle(s) to get between aid stations (if those fluids suit you) or a cb to carry your preferred
fluid, food, and perhaps other gear. Unless the race allows somebody to provide support along the
way and you can find somebody to do that. Whatever you do, practice that way. Never do anything new
on race day.
Most of my races have minimal to no aid, so I use a cb for anything over 45 min race (sometimes need
to hike back to car so effective time might be 2 hr). I also prefer consistent intake every 15-20
min rather than every, say, 5 miles or wherever aid stations might be. This is the way I train, so
it's easier for me not having to worry about what the brand / flavor of the race will be and
training on that nor logistics of hooking up with a crew. *For me*, it's easier to use a cb. I
prefer the ease (and larger fluid flow) of a cb rather than dinking around with hand-held water
bottles or extracting them from a waist carrier. Others dislike carrying anything. It's something
you can play around with in training.
But it looks like your race should have aid stations, although I didn't see that level of detail on
the web page (but may have overlooked it). If you depend on them, be sure to know what they are
providing - including the flavors - and practice with them. Find out during training if they work or
don't. If they are more than an hour apart (maybe even
1/2 hour), I would carry at least a bottle with sports drink.
Enjoy! Looks like a nice race.
Dot
--
"Success is different things to different people"
-Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope
