Do you want a hydration vest for racing a marathon? What a couple of half-marathon? Historically related to path operating and ultrarunning, hydration vests have gotten an increasing number of widespread on the roads. However why do individuals put on them? And the way helpful are they for a marathon or half-marathon?
The case for the vest
The principle motive individuals put on hydration vests is to make sure they’ve easy accessibility to water throughout their runs. Hydration is essential throughout lengthy runs or races, notably in sizzling climate, and carrying water bottles could be cumbersome and inefficient. A hydration vest gives a handy and hands-free strategy to carry sufficient water or sports activities drinks to remain hydrated for a number of hours. (Most include both two 500 ml gentle bottles that match into pockets on the entrance of the vest, which you’ll be able to drink from with out eradicating them, or a bigger hydration reservoir or “bladder” that matches at the back of the vest and from which you drink through a hose with a chunk valve–or each. Standard manufacturers like Salomon, Osprey, The North Face, and Nathan provide each.)
Many runners decide to fill one bottle with water and the opposite with electrolytes.
Whereas most races present water stations, they are often crowded, they usually might not seem as often as you prefer to, so you will have bother getting as a lot hydration as you want.
Typically talking, until this can be very sizzling and also you’re racing on trails, you’re unlikely to want the amount of hydration offered by a vest for a half-marathon.
The case in opposition to the vest
Some runners love hydration vests for the comfort and peace of thoughts they supply, however some discover them uncomfortable. They could additionally make you even hotter on an already sizzling day, since they mainly represent an additional layer of clothes. The benefit is, they’ll normally maintain considerably extra fluids than a water belt (to not point out your different necessities, additional clothes, and so forth.); nevertheless, water is heavy, so you might want to go for some mixture of carrying your personal water and counting on what’s offered heading in the right direction.
Race day hydration: the way to drink for any type of climate
Throughout lengthy coaching runs, you may plan your route primarily based on the situation of water fountains. Some runners even drive or bike their route forward of time to stash water bottles alongside the way in which. Another choice is to plan your route so that you begin out of your doorstep and run the identical smaller loop a number of occasions, permitting you to cease and hydrate at house after every lap.
It’s additionally essential to ensure you’re adequately hydrated earlier than a sizzling run or race.
As with all different piece of substances, in the event you do determine to put money into a vest in your marathon, you should definitely strive it out in your lengthy runs a number of occasions earlier than your large day.
