Do you want a hydration vest for racing a marathon? What a few half-marathon? Historically related to path operating and ultrarunning, hydration vests have gotten increasingly in style on the roads. However why do folks put on them? And the way helpful are they for a marathon or half-marathon?
The case for the vest
The principle motive folks put on hydration vests is to make sure they’ve quick access to water throughout their runs. Hydration is vital throughout lengthy runs or races, notably in scorching climate, and carrying water bottles could be cumbersome and inefficient. A hydration vest supplies a handy and hands-free method 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. Fashionable 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 regularly as you want to, so you could have bother getting as a lot hydration as you want.
Usually talking, until this can be very scorching and also you’re racing on trails, you’re unlikely to want the quantity of hydration supplied by a vest for a half-marathon.
The case towards 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 scorching day, since they mainly represent an additional layer of clothes. The benefit is, they’ll often maintain considerably extra fluids than a water belt (to not point out your different necessities, additional clothes, and so on.); nevertheless, water is heavy, so you could choose to go for some mixture of carrying your individual water and counting on what’s supplied heading in the right direction.
Race day hydration: find out how to drink for any form 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 best way. 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 residence after every lap.
It’s additionally vital to be sure to’re adequately hydrated earlier than a scorching run or race.
As with all different piece of substances, if you happen to do determine to spend money on a vest to your marathon, make sure you attempt it out in your lengthy runs a number of occasions earlier than your huge day.
