Hello and Happy Tuesday! I made it home last night around midnight and went straight to bed. This morning my 6am alarm went off and I reluctantly crawled out of bed. I didn’t feel very tired, but I was dreading my run because it was supposed to be a speed run. Even though I LOVE running, I STRONGLY DISLIKE this whole ‘mile repeat’ thing.
I made a bargain with myself that if I did 3 repeats (1 less than last week) I could complain about it all day that would be enough for today. My repeats were 7:39; 7:32; 7:29 (this is for my own reference).
When I got home I had a bagel with sunflower seen butter and chia seeds. My fridge is so bare I don’t even have jelly!
So, I took the world’s quickest shower and made a super fast trip to the store. Mid-morning snack = apple and pineapple cottage cheese.
Vegas was bad at my mom’s and peed on their kitchen rug! He’s grounded for a week – no cell phone, no computer.
Then, I thought he peed on our floor too!
Until I realized that was bath sopping wet bathing suit dripping on the floor. Obviously, my brain is too tired to work.
I got a few questions and emails about the new fuel belt I’m using and my thoughts on it versus my handheld. When I woke up to run in Florida on Saturday it was still dark so I had some time to kill before I could leave. So, I made a quick vlog review of my fuel belt in my in-laws’ garage. Hey, work with what you’ve got!
My handheld is by Nathan and holds about 16 oz. I like it, but it doesn’t help my tragic running form:
Hydration Belt Review:
Question: Do you use a hydration belt or hand held? Thoughts??
Your waist looks tiny in that video!! 🙂
Thanks for the review! I was using a hand held, but found my arm always got kinda fatigued (wimpy much?) so I bought a camelbak and am slowly getting used to it.
Nice review! I’ve wondered about belts but always felt like they’d hinder and annoy me. I started using a small handheld while training for my first half earlier this year. I didn’t use it for the race, though, because it does interfere with my stride. I carry it now because it’s close to 90 degrees in the am when I run – and that’s at 5am – I don’t think I’ll continue to use it when it cools down. I might try a small belt now!
Oh Vegas was mad…that is why he was naughty.
I like having my handheld water bottle when I’m going for a short run. But I also have a fuel belt when I plan to run with friends and go for long distance running..we all have the same ones..it was kind of fun when we all go out together!
Neither – I don’t usually take water for runs under 1 hour; sometimes 1:20. For longer runs, I’ll have a pit stop at the gas station on my route and re-fuel with an isotonic and I can only stomach a few gulps else I’ll feel too full/bloated.
I have a camelbak waist pack I like it it carries about 20oz but I’m thinking of upgrading to the full backpack to carry more water. I usually don’t have anywhere to refill at on my runs and running out of water is the worst. I feel like I’d be hitting my arms on the waist pack bottles swinging them as a run but maybe thats just me.
I absolutely HATE my Nathan belt! What a piece of junk. The bottles leak because the tops don’t close all the way. I LOVE my new Amphipod belt. I got the one that hold 4 bottles since I’m training for a full. I like that I can “customize” it by removing the clips that hold the bottles onto the belt if I only want to take 2 or 3 bottles. The tops snap closed so they do not leak at all. The bottles are easy to remove from the clips and snap back in easily. It also has a pouch that easily holds a few Gu packets, Chapstick, and tissues–my long run essentials. 🙂
I have always wanted to try one…maybe I will splurge or ask a friend to borrow one for a bit??
Good info though.
It is all about the Camelback! Yes, I look like a dork, but it is awesome.
I’ve never tried a fuel belt mainly because I feel like I never run long enough to feel I ‘need’ it haha. I’ve used a handheld and like those though. I think I need to get over my goofy fear of not being “worthy” of a fuel belt. LMAO, how dumb does that sound.
You are worthy of the belt fuel belt ever. Try it 🙂
I’m glad you said that you had Nuun in the fuelbelt because I was starting to think it was Mountain Dew 😉 I wonder how THAT would fuel a run…jk!
The last time Ben saw it he asked if it was pee so I thought I should clarify 🙂
I’ve been running for 6 years or so and I still haven’t used anything but a disposable plastic bottle to carry with me :/ I’ve considered buying a belt numerous times but I just cant imagine having something on my hips when I run! Even wearing an arm band bothers me so I think a belt would drive me absolutely bonkers 🙂 I’ve been considering training for a full in February though so maybe it’s about time I look at belts a little more seriously. Thanks for the review!
I have a handheld tiny thing ( it’s a tiny nathan) which I like for short runs, and if I’m going long then I wear my hydration backpack. I have a belt but haaate it.
I ran with a fuel belt for the first time last week on a 6 mile run. I was pumped to be able to drink water whenever I wanted because I always get SO thirsty on my runs and wish that I had water. I like it, except for the fact that after having a sip of water after mile 2, I got a HUGE cramp on my left side. I had to walk for a good 5min before starting to run again. I am not sure if it was from the belt itself, or from drinking water while running? I don’t know what to do now because I want to wear the belt but I really don’t want to feel the cramp again! Do you usually stop to walk while you take a sip of water?
Yeah, that cramp was probably more likely from drinking if you’re not used to it. Take a sip every half mile or so instead of chugging it when you’re thirsty. I used to stop and walk to drink or eat, but I’m trying to keep going now – but that’s been a long road 🙂
Nice splits on your mile repeats. It is always feels better not to wear a belt or carry water in your hand but a belt carries more hydration, food and doesn’t effect your form the way a handheld does. Stick with it.
I used to use a fuel belt but it felt awkward around my waist. Then I switched to a hand held which I liked a lot better. I don’t run very long distances so I have been trying to run without one, but my mouth dries up within 30 seconds of a run – i hate it!
I run with a belt – but all of my runs are pretty short so I have never bothered with a water bottle holder. I am starting to train for a 1/2 marathon so I guess I will have to eventually invest in a water/fuel belt.
Great review!
I bought a cheapo belt when I first started running longer distance and now I always take it, I love not having to carry anything in my hands. But I have to admit I look pretty dorky wearing it, because I cant wear low it on my hips because it bounced too much, so I wear it up around my waist. I have pictures, it’s looks weird, but I figure I’d rather have a drink and look crazy than have no drink! Next time we head to a bigger city I will put a running store on our itenerary so I can get a better one!
I have the nathan ‘trail mix’ fuel pack: it is a 2 water bottle holder (10 oz each) with a pouch in the middle. It is a ‘clip’ on rather than velcro and the adjustable straps have velcro tabs to secure them in place.
I like to wear it around my waist rather than my hips because the weight of the water bottles bounce and ‘slide up’. Only problem is that the weight distribution is a bit weird to get used to around the waist, but the bouncing is less for me.
For shorter runs, I use the nathan handheld (10oz). It does throw off my gait a bit, but at least I wear my phone on an armband on the opposite arm, so that helps a bit with weight distribution (not a perfect solution though!).
(scroll to bottom for picture), I need to take picture of backside too….
http://masters2marathons.wordpress.com/running/gear/
I actually have that same pink handheld and can’t stand it! I feel like it bounces a lot and seems super heavy. I was thinking maybe a fuel belt would be better and will definitely try one on before buying!
I don’t use either one. I really love my Nathan Intensity race vest. I did a review of it here: http://ariavie.blogspot.com/2011/10/hydration-systems.html
Way to go on your repeats!
I have both a handheld and muliple fuel belts. I hate running with all of them! I feel like my fuel belts bounce too much and my handheld bugs me. The only think I don’t mind is a fuel belt bottle in a soft sunglasses case. The soft case also fits my phone and works to wipe sweat away!
It certainly doesn’t carry a lot of water, but I like it better than hydrating properly and being annoyed all run!
Ha! You crack me up. Just love you. The whole sliver thing, I know, I am so with you on that.
I dont’ use either belt or handheld. I live in a tiny town (pop. 2,500). So I know at least 75 percent of the people who live here by name, nearest of kin, and beer preference. So, when I run outside, I just stop by the homes of friends and drink either out of their waterhoses or run in and drink out of their tap 🙂 I also keep a good idea of everyone who turns on their sprinklers and when so that I can run through them since I am still getting used to running outside in the heat.