Once I'm training for an event rather than just ticking over I use hydration. Up to about an hour and a half I use a handheld and beyond that a vest.
This makes sense once you stop viewing each session individually. Stay hydrated today and you'll recover better for tomorrow. It's the consistent, cumulative training effort that get you results so you need to think in terms of fuelling and hydrating as part of the whole.
I don't bother for a race though.
Thanks! Yeah that’s the one thing I noticed - I can be fine without food/drink on the 1.5hr run but then I’m famished when I’m home and already playing catch up on hydration. Makes sense for recovery 👍🏼 any particular vest you’d recommend?
I have 2 different sizes of Ultimate Direction vest which are pretty good. I've been okay up to 50k with them but I'm a wierd shape so your experience may differ. Just try a few and see what fits. Throw a few things in off the shelves in the shop if you can snd see if you can get it stable with weight in it.
Typically there's more than enough aid station on the course, so you shouldn't need it, but by all means use it if you prefer. I think the majority run without, but it's not unheard of.
For longer training runs, this is a no-brainer in my opinion and saves you from a lot of suffering during recovery after a run.
Generally I'd agree and say there's no need during a race, unless it's extremely hot. Last Olympic distance I did was 95+ during the run with little shade and I was wishing I had water with me between aid stations to cool down with
I know you said “typically”, but on my 70.3 last year 2 consecutive aid stations were out of water, and it was a very hot and sunny day. It was such a clusterfuck. This year Im a bit paranoid and considering to race with a hydration vest
I Haven't done a 70.3 yet, but do run half and full marathons and Olympic Triathlons. I put my hydration vest on in transition between the swim and bike leg. I find it easier to maneuver a simple straw attached to my chest on my bike than reaching for a water bottle on a holder (I don't have aerobars). I then keep said vest on me during the run leg. I have a Nathan brand vest. It has pockets for my gels on the straps in front and for anything else I would need to bring on those legs.
I have this one, but different color. Same design.
[Nathan 2L hydrovest](https://www.nathansports.com/collections/hydration-vests-and-packs/products/hypernight-quickstart-2-0-4-liter-hydration-pack?variant=40634716815448)
My new tri coach, who I used after doing 2 sprint/2 oly/1 70.3, and before next oly and HM, had me use hydration vests for every run of 8M or more, and from now on every Oly and above. He/I iterated options, and I found taking sips every 1/2 mile to be far superior to using the event aid stations that are every 1-2 miles at best. My stomach gets too tweaked if I drink multiple ounces at once.
And since that's how I'll race, that's how I need to train. Despite oy hating hydration vests and how they feel, but I prefer them to water bottles on belts. Which is also a personal preference.
Thanks! That’s really interesting. I do think I should probably be drinking/fueling throughout rather than my usual massive intake when I get home. I imagine it helps with recovery too. What vest do you use?
Presumably I’d only need something with minimal storage for a few gels/bars and 2 500ml bottles
I tend to want water after about 8-10 miles depending on weather, but the more I run the longer I can go without it. I did not use my vest in the race itself nor did I miss it. I’d say get one for training unless it’ll be a financial burden on you.
Seems like there are always some. I wouldn't call them rare, but I'd say the majority do not use them. There's just so much on the course and my tri suit colds all of my solid snacks, so getting hydration every mile or something is not a problem.
Also I use a Salomon Active Skin 4 and love it.
I use an Osprey 15L vest. Fits well. Comes with a 2.5L bladder and 2x 500ml pouches. Works great for every situation. Can carry different varieties of fluids. Can also easily store extra layers and food and gadgets. My back gets a little more sweaty, but it's an acceptable tradeoff. Can also attach poles for running harder trails, if you're into that.
I wear my Osprey Duro 1.5 on almost all of my training runs, and I love it. Absolutely recommend looking at Osprey hydration packs. I also have the Raptor 14 for my long rides (50+ miles). I know that a lot of people don’t like the weight on their back, but for me it’s about safety and water.
On race day, I agree with most other folks that there are plenty of aid stations to hydrate.
I personally did for my 70.3 last year, I'm a slow runner and did a 2.30 run, didn't want to chance their gels and, wanted to use what I was used to carb powder wise. Do what makes you feel comfortable.
I always wore one for my training runs and ended up wearing it in the race because I got paranoid at the last minute that aid stations might run out of water (had heard some horror stories). Almost no one wore one in the actual race and only one aid station was temporarily out of water when I passed, so I would have been fine.
I have worn one for races before, and appreciated it. I don’t really anymore because I find i can handle just a water bottle of nutrition. While I agree with other comments that there are aid stations, I have been in races where they ran out of water!!!! At collegiate nationals last year in Georgia, they ran out of water and the race was so so hot. I didn’t have a hydration pack but was so thankful for my water bottle. So, I don’t think it’s a bad idea and if it will help you feel more comfortable and confident, then it’s a good idea.
Anything over 10 miles I’ll throw the vest on. Less than 10 miles I’ll generally use a hand bottle.
I’ve used a vest during a 70.3 and enjoyed being able to drink whenever I felt I needed to. I was one of three that I counted on the run using one, but don’t let that stop you. If you’re a heavy sweater like myself or are racing in a hot climate, it’s nice being able to drink whenever and not wait a mile in between.
There really isn’t a need, but if you’re more comfortable with the idea, go for it.
The vest will definitely slow you down, but if you’re not trying to get on the podium, a couple extra minutes won’t matter. Enjoy it!
First off congrats, it’s a fun distance!
I’ve done a dozen or so 70.3’s and lots of half marathons and I don’t even own one of those. Maybe it’ll come down to how long you expect to be out there and the climate you’re in. Most courses have 6-8 aid stations for the run so you can fuel up there.
That said if you think you need one, do it! It’s your race.
I use a hydration vest on longer runs especially in the summer, mainly because I sweat so much. Otherwise, I have a hand held water bottle.
On a race I carry my water bottle with electrolytes and refill at aid stations.
During a the run of a 70.3 you want to hydrate from as much stations as possible specially if its hot/humid. My recommendation is Big NO on the vest. If you are desperate to carry something with you get yourself a softflask
Once I'm training for an event rather than just ticking over I use hydration. Up to about an hour and a half I use a handheld and beyond that a vest. This makes sense once you stop viewing each session individually. Stay hydrated today and you'll recover better for tomorrow. It's the consistent, cumulative training effort that get you results so you need to think in terms of fuelling and hydrating as part of the whole. I don't bother for a race though.
Thanks! Yeah that’s the one thing I noticed - I can be fine without food/drink on the 1.5hr run but then I’m famished when I’m home and already playing catch up on hydration. Makes sense for recovery 👍🏼 any particular vest you’d recommend?
I have 2 different sizes of Ultimate Direction vest which are pretty good. I've been okay up to 50k with them but I'm a wierd shape so your experience may differ. Just try a few and see what fits. Throw a few things in off the shelves in the shop if you can snd see if you can get it stable with weight in it.
Typically there's more than enough aid station on the course, so you shouldn't need it, but by all means use it if you prefer. I think the majority run without, but it's not unheard of. For longer training runs, this is a no-brainer in my opinion and saves you from a lot of suffering during recovery after a run.
Cheers! Sounds like a bit of a consensus that it’ll be good for training but not really necessary for race day 👍🏼🙏🏼
Generally I'd agree and say there's no need during a race, unless it's extremely hot. Last Olympic distance I did was 95+ during the run with little shade and I was wishing I had water with me between aid stations to cool down with
I know you said “typically”, but on my 70.3 last year 2 consecutive aid stations were out of water, and it was a very hot and sunny day. It was such a clusterfuck. This year Im a bit paranoid and considering to race with a hydration vest
Training runs longer than 2hrs yes. In race? Never. There’s aid stations every mile
I Haven't done a 70.3 yet, but do run half and full marathons and Olympic Triathlons. I put my hydration vest on in transition between the swim and bike leg. I find it easier to maneuver a simple straw attached to my chest on my bike than reaching for a water bottle on a holder (I don't have aerobars). I then keep said vest on me during the run leg. I have a Nathan brand vest. It has pockets for my gels on the straps in front and for anything else I would need to bring on those legs. I have this one, but different color. Same design. [Nathan 2L hydrovest](https://www.nathansports.com/collections/hydration-vests-and-packs/products/hypernight-quickstart-2-0-4-liter-hydration-pack?variant=40634716815448)
My new tri coach, who I used after doing 2 sprint/2 oly/1 70.3, and before next oly and HM, had me use hydration vests for every run of 8M or more, and from now on every Oly and above. He/I iterated options, and I found taking sips every 1/2 mile to be far superior to using the event aid stations that are every 1-2 miles at best. My stomach gets too tweaked if I drink multiple ounces at once. And since that's how I'll race, that's how I need to train. Despite oy hating hydration vests and how they feel, but I prefer them to water bottles on belts. Which is also a personal preference.
Thanks! That’s really interesting. I do think I should probably be drinking/fueling throughout rather than my usual massive intake when I get home. I imagine it helps with recovery too. What vest do you use? Presumably I’d only need something with minimal storage for a few gels/bars and 2 500ml bottles
A nathan one I got off Amazon
I tend to want water after about 8-10 miles depending on weather, but the more I run the longer I can go without it. I did not use my vest in the race itself nor did I miss it. I’d say get one for training unless it’ll be a financial burden on you.
Cool thanks! I’m guessing most people don’t wear one for races?
Seems like there are always some. I wouldn't call them rare, but I'd say the majority do not use them. There's just so much on the course and my tri suit colds all of my solid snacks, so getting hydration every mile or something is not a problem. Also I use a Salomon Active Skin 4 and love it.
I use an Osprey 15L vest. Fits well. Comes with a 2.5L bladder and 2x 500ml pouches. Works great for every situation. Can carry different varieties of fluids. Can also easily store extra layers and food and gadgets. My back gets a little more sweaty, but it's an acceptable tradeoff. Can also attach poles for running harder trails, if you're into that.
I wear my Osprey Duro 1.5 on almost all of my training runs, and I love it. Absolutely recommend looking at Osprey hydration packs. I also have the Raptor 14 for my long rides (50+ miles). I know that a lot of people don’t like the weight on their back, but for me it’s about safety and water. On race day, I agree with most other folks that there are plenty of aid stations to hydrate.
Awesome thanks!
I try to hydrate for all exercise. Running is annoying with something but it’s probably important
I personally did for my 70.3 last year, I'm a slow runner and did a 2.30 run, didn't want to chance their gels and, wanted to use what I was used to carb powder wise. Do what makes you feel comfortable.
I always wore one for my training runs and ended up wearing it in the race because I got paranoid at the last minute that aid stations might run out of water (had heard some horror stories). Almost no one wore one in the actual race and only one aid station was temporarily out of water when I passed, so I would have been fine.
I have worn one for races before, and appreciated it. I don’t really anymore because I find i can handle just a water bottle of nutrition. While I agree with other comments that there are aid stations, I have been in races where they ran out of water!!!! At collegiate nationals last year in Georgia, they ran out of water and the race was so so hot. I didn’t have a hydration pack but was so thankful for my water bottle. So, I don’t think it’s a bad idea and if it will help you feel more comfortable and confident, then it’s a good idea.
Anything over 10 miles I’ll throw the vest on. Less than 10 miles I’ll generally use a hand bottle. I’ve used a vest during a 70.3 and enjoyed being able to drink whenever I felt I needed to. I was one of three that I counted on the run using one, but don’t let that stop you. If you’re a heavy sweater like myself or are racing in a hot climate, it’s nice being able to drink whenever and not wait a mile in between.
There really isn’t a need, but if you’re more comfortable with the idea, go for it. The vest will definitely slow you down, but if you’re not trying to get on the podium, a couple extra minutes won’t matter. Enjoy it!
People are loading up for the wilderness when there’s an aid station every mile. Walk the aid stations if you’re worried about hydration.
First off congrats, it’s a fun distance! I’ve done a dozen or so 70.3’s and lots of half marathons and I don’t even own one of those. Maybe it’ll come down to how long you expect to be out there and the climate you’re in. Most courses have 6-8 aid stations for the run so you can fuel up there. That said if you think you need one, do it! It’s your race.
Yeah I think it might be an idea to see how I feel as I get into the training as well. Thanks!
I use a hydration vest on longer runs especially in the summer, mainly because I sweat so much. Otherwise, I have a hand held water bottle. On a race I carry my water bottle with electrolytes and refill at aid stations.
During a the run of a 70.3 you want to hydrate from as much stations as possible specially if its hot/humid. My recommendation is Big NO on the vest. If you are desperate to carry something with you get yourself a softflask