Water Stations

JR said:

Hello all.

I'm training for the Phila. Distance Run (1/2 marathon) in
September. I've only been in one race so far, a 5K that
DID have a lot of people for a 5K, I think (850), but not
the 8,000 or so that will be in the PDR.

My question is this. What are water stations like in
large races?

Quoted message said:

At the 5K I was in, the water station was at the half-way
turnaround point. They have 4 tables, and every volunteer
was also holding out cups for us. I had no problem
grabbing a cup and drinking it. Not getting any on me.
There were a fair amount of people jostling in position to
get water, I was mid-pack of the 800 runners, and I could
imagine a volunteer giving a cup to the person right in
front of me and me not being able to get any.

But, I would imagine in a larger race, that lasts hours,
volunteers might get a little tired of holding out cups of
water for the runners.

Unless you are the last man standing not a problem. Worry
more about them running out of water and cups if you are the
slowest of the slow.

Quoted message said:

I would think that the water is on a table, and that
running by, grabbing a cup and getting the majority of the
water IN me as opposed to ON me, might be a challange. I
guess I could practice, leaving a cup of water on the hood
of my car and run by my house and grab the cup, but who
knows if the cups will be plastic, or paper (like they
were in the race I was in). It almost crushed immediately
upon me grabbing it.

Unless you are planning to set a new world record walk
through the aid stations, the little loss of time vs the
amount of water you'll get more in you which unless I miss
my guess is more important.

Quoted message said:

And are the water stations likely to be crowded? I would
imagine in the beginning of the race, they are, what with
people being bunched up and all. Are the water stations
likely to be long, like 10 or 20 tables long, so if
someone is in your way, you can just run around them, but
not miss getting water?

See answer to first question.

Quoted message said:

I know this seems sort of silly, and there's probably a
lot of other things I should worry about (like FINISHING),
but I would hate to miss water, or have to stop to get
water because someone is in my way. I just do not do well
stopping then starting again when running. Even walking
and starting running again "messes me up". (Sorry
Galloway).

Years from now you'll be gliding through the water stations,
guzzling on the run. For now concentrate on finishing and
not choking to death.

Note: these are all very good questions to be asking, just
don't obsess on them. If you are running so easy that
you have the energy to get upset at the aid stations,
you ain't running hard enough.

JR said:

I'm training for the Phila. Distance Run (1/2 marathon) in
September. ... At the 5K I was in... I had no problem
grabbing a cup and drinking it. Not getting any on me.

September in Philly, long run--you may want to get more on
you than in you!

Mike McSwell

"JR" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hello all.

I'm training for the Phila. Distance Run (1/2 marathon) in
September. I've only been in one race so far, a 5K that
DID have a lot of people for a 5K, I think (850), but not
the 8,000 or so that will be in the PDR.

My question is this. What are water stations like in
large races?

At the 5K I was in, the water station was at the half-way
turnaround point. They have 4 tables, and every volunteer
was also holding out cups for us. I had no problem
grabbing a cup and drinking it. Not getting any on me.
There were a fair amount of people jostling in position to
get water, I was mid-pack of the 800 runners, and I could
imagine a volunteer giving a cup to the person right in
front of me and me not being able to get any.

But, I would imagine in a larger race, that lasts hours,
volunteers might get a little tired of holding out cups of
water for the runners.

I would think that the water is on a table, and that
running by, grabbing a cup and getting the majority of the
water IN me as opposed to ON me, might be a challange. I
guess I could practice, leaving a cup of water on the hood
of my car and run by my house and grab the cup, but who
knows if the cups will be plastic, or paper (like they
were in the race I was in). It almost crushed immediately
upon me grabbing it.

And are the water stations likely to be crowded? I would
imagine in the beginning of the race, they are, what with
people being bunched up and all. Are the water stations
likely to be long, like 10 or 20 tables long, so if
someone is in your way, you can just run around them, but
not miss getting water?

I know this seems sort of silly, and there's probably a
lot of other things I should worry about (like FINISHING),
but I would hate to miss water, or have to stop to get
water because someone is in my way. I just do not do well
stopping then starting again when running. Even walking
and starting running again "messes me up". (Sorry
Galloway).

There will be some crowding but the Philly Distance run is a
class act. The water stations will probably stretch for 50
or so yards. The early ones will be more crowded but it will
get better as the crowd thins out.

The volunteers are usually into the race and will be very
helpful, or should.

Enjoy the race, Andy

In article <[email hidden]>,

JR said:

Hello all.

I'm training for the Phila. Distance Run (1/2 marathon) in
September. I've only been in one race so far, a 5K that
DID have a lot of people for a 5K, I think (850), but not
the 8,000 or so that will be in the PDR.

My question is this. What are water stations like in
large races?

not that bad really. considerate racers will either grab and
keep moving or will slow/stop and move to the side out of
the way of others coming through. if you plan to take water
at a station, be prepared to [censored] it, say thanks!, then do
whatever you plan to do (keep moving or stop for a sec).

Quoted message said:

At the 5K I was in, the water station was at the half-way
turnaround point. They have 4 tables, and every volunteer
was also holding out cups for us. I had no problem
grabbing a cup and drinking it. Not getting any on me.
There were a fair amount of people jostling in position to
get water, I was mid-pack of the 800 runners, and I could
imagine a volunteer giving a cup to the person right in
front of me and me not being able to get any.

But, I would imagine in a larger race, that lasts hours,
volunteers might get a little tired of holding out cups of
water for the runners.

there are lots of volunteers at 1/2 and full marathon races.
something i do is get someone's attention before i get
there.... make eye contact, move toward them, and give a
little wave, maybe a nod. when they look right at me and
hold out the cup, then i know it's mine.

Quoted message said:

I would think that the water is on a table, and that
running by, grabbing a cup and getting the majority of the
water IN me as opposed to ON me, might be a challange. I
guess I could practice, leaving a cup of water on the hood
of my car and run by my house and grab the cup, but who
knows if the cups will be plastic, or paper (like they
were in the race I was in). It almost crushed immediately
upon me grabbing it.

i may have seen the cups on the table scenario only once,
and it just didn't make any difference.

Quoted message said:

And are the water stations likely to be crowded? I would
imagine in the beginning of the race, they are, what with
people being bunched up and all. Are the water stations
likely to be long, like 10 or 20 tables long, so if
someone is in your way, you can just run around them, but
not miss getting water?

I know this seems sort of silly, and there's probably a
lot of other things I should worry about (like FINISHING),
but I would hate to miss water, or have to stop to get
water because someone is in my way. I just do not do well
stopping then starting again when running. Even walking
and starting running again "messes me up". (Sorry
Galloway).

not at all silly, just part of the race strategy. and don't
apologize to Galloway... that's a method that may be fine
and good for some, but i'm no fan of it, and you won't see
me walking every ten minutes. how you possibly hit your
stride, get into the zone, and then stop so soon after...
then resume that? i couldn't and wouldn't want to try.

best of luck!

Cam

In article <[email hidden]>,

JR said:

I just do not do well stopping then starting again when
running. Even walking and starting running again
"messes me up".

I used to feel the same way until I started doing some
interval workouts to develop my running speed and form.

IMHO. YMMV.
--
Ron Nicholson rhn AT nicholson DOT com
nicholson.comrhnOpen ↗ #include
<canonical.disclaimer> // only my own opinions, etc.

"Ronald H. Nicholson Jr." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, JR

Quoted message said:

I just do not do well stopping then starting again when
running. Even walking and starting running again "messes
me up".

I used to feel the same way until I started doing some
interval workouts to develop my running speed and form.

Well then I'm not alone in that regard then. Thanks.

Jeff..

A little late on this discussion but my hubby did PDR last
year - no problems, people are generally considerate and
slow/get out of the way
- in fact, to be honest, you will do the same. It won't
break your stride that much and in Sep, it can be hot here
- so, hydrate! - Linda

"Linda & Pete" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A little late on this discussion but my hubby did PDR last
year - no problems, people are generally considerate and
slow/get out of the way
- in fact, to be honest, you will do the same. It won't
break your stride that much and in Sep, it can be hot
here - so, hydrate! - Linda

Yes, living here for 45 years, I know it sure can be hot in
September. And usually is. And being in the city doesn't
help either.