(coming from a different sport)
Yes, try to drink - from water stations. While you won't sweat much in such temperatures, you will still lose quite some water with sweating and breathing.
A half might consume around 1500 kcal almost at your anaerobic threshold: I'd go for replenishing your energy stores with some isotonic/energy drink instead of pure water.
You should try to take some quick sips of water about every 30-40 minutes.
Even at 40 degrees, water can be lost through breathing and imperceptible perspiration. This can result in a higher heart rate and less efficient running, so stay hydrated. Drink before you feel thirsty.
nick. wrote:
Wow21 wrote:
1:32 goal pace
lol
karma coming your way nick....
Agreed. Saying you don't need need any is the mentality of the sub-Elite Hobbyjogger:-
Low Level Hobbyjogger: Drinks a couple of pints before the start, is making a bathroom stop within the first half hour, and is probably running with a camelbak / water bottle.
Sub-Elite Hobbyjogger: I can run for this amount of time without a drink therefore I will as it singles me as a "real runner"...
Elite Hobbyjogger: Will take a few sips two or three times just to keep tip-top on the hydration front.
Elite: As per the Elite Hobbyjogger, which should make everyone laugh at the Sub-Elite Hobbyjogger who "doesn't need" anything.
epicTCK wrote:
the fact that you are even considering water means you are completely mindweak. 40 degrees for 90 minutes? I've done 80 minutes in 90+ degrees without a drop of water. A FUEL BELT?
give me a break.
Wow. I guess you are like a tough guy? Wow.
Do what you feel comfortable, no need to listen other people.
I'd personally start to hydrate 24h before the race, and you don't have to worry to drink a lot when running the race.
STWM has really good water stations, at each, there will be 30+ people holding cups and it's really easy to grab 2-3 cups without slowing down significantly.
Yeah agree with above, do what you want. Do you NEED water in a cool half marathon? Absolutely not. But if it makes you feel better, go for it. I would definitely ditch the hydration belt, that's overkill. Just grab at two different water stations, and learn the technique of pinching the cup so it doesn't slosh everywhere. You won't get everything down, but you should be able to get most of it. I actually tend to grab two cups at aid stations. Usually results in me getting the desired 6 oz of water or so into my stomach.
1) Every extra pound you carry costs about 2 seconds per mile on your pace.
2) "A pint's a pound the world around." (a)
(a) - = 16 oz U.S. pint of water implied, not that Imperial pint stuff.
Ditch the belt, but hit the water/gatorade every other aid station, even if just a sip. If you're drinking from a cup, pinch the cup in the middle to make a spout and pour into your mouth from there. Much easier that way.
There's a reason why elites take in fluids during a half. I'm nowhere near even sub-elite, but have run 1:22 and still used fluids.
Few runners would 'need' hydration for 13.1 in 40F (5C) physiologically. If you are not experienced in doing long runs without hydration, you'll be too anxious during this race. Take it with you for the peace of mind.
Your other option is to learn how to approach a water station without getting hung up in the crowd. Walking for a few seconds to drink without spilling or aspirating won't have much affect (effect?) on your time.
Good luck. I hope you go sub 7:00
The easy answer is No, unless you get real thirsty.
Probably not, but I would officially stop thinking about it. If you find yourself thirsty during the race, grab a little on the course. Maybe thank a volunteer. Or not. it's easy to get caught up with obsessing over this stuff before hand (I speak from experience) but I know I race a lot better when I just chill out and don't overthink things.
I want to thank everyone for their responses. This was the highlight of my day -- LRC exceeded all expectations. The witty wisdom of the LRCers, for sure. I knew when I posted the question I was about to get crucified for HJ-type thoughts (and told a couple of friends that), and I appreciated and welcomed very much the witty skewering I got (that to be clear also delivered wisdom, just wittily)-- "mindweak" (true enough), someone asking if I was going to be dressed up as a PacMan?, 1:32 goal pace? LOL, it's 40 degrees FFS!. We can go anywhere in society to be told "good job" no matter what we do; LRC is one of the few places one can get honest and neutral (and witty) views.
And along with that a lot of earnest advice. Because of it, I won't wear the hydro belt, I'll wear short sleeves instead of long, will be sure to take in a lot of water after I wake up, and will do the pinch cup and walk 3 strides thing at a couple of water stations. I didn't realize it was such a no brainer that all that was needed (at most) was a few sips of water during the course of a 90 minute or so half. I assumed you needed several ounces.
Thank you again, you all made my day, as you do so many days. I'll update on how it goes. For the record, I'm dealing with about 10 extra pounds, and insufficient aerobic base after 15 years off running.
So hopefully in due course a few more minutes will come off the half time, if life permits. The half is kind of a base-building exercise (and fun) to try and take a shot at sub-5 for the first time in my life in the winter -- been my dream since freshman year of HS, didn't hit it then and basically stopped running competitively sophomore year HS.
FWIW The congestion at hydration stations can usually be avoided by coming in sharply at the end of the station. Otherwise keep a wide berth.
Do not underestimate the need for carbs! water sure, but the fact that you will be running likely beyond 92 minutes - if you do a proper warm up - you will be selling yourself short if you don't have any fuel.
Last year during a half marathon I totally bonked. I ran 1:19:00 (female) but was on pace for 1:17; about 9 miles in, I started going downhill (only sipping water) and realized it was just around the 90 minute mark if you include warm up. Stupid mistake in my previous half's I had always taken in at least 1 gel and a ~3 oz of sports drink to allow me to finish strong.
My next half was much more successful, took in sports drink (~3 oz) every 4 miles; a gel at 10 miles and felt great.
Don't listen to the "be tough you don't need to drink" people.. just my opinion. Good luck!
experienced racer wrote:
Last year during a half marathon I totally bonked. I ran 1:19:00 (female) but was on pace for 1:17; about 9 miles in, I started going downhill (only sipping water) and realized it was just around the 90 minute mark if you include warm up. Stupid mistake in my previous half's I had always taken in at least 1 gel and a ~3 oz of sports drink to allow me to finish strong.
My next half was much more successful, took in sports drink (~3 oz) every 4 miles; a gel at 10 miles and felt great.
Don't listen to the "be tough you don't need to drink" people.. just my opinion. Good luck!
You didn't bonk. Nobody in the history of racing has bonked 1:17 into a race, even with your 90 minute half. That's like a 3 hour marathoner saying "I bonked at mile 14." It would sound absurd. I don't think you know what bonking is if a) you think you bonked and b) think slowing down 20-30 seconds per mile is actual bonking.
Wearing a fuel belt makes you look like a huge embarrassment.
Horrible Advice wrote:
experienced racer wrote:
Last year during a half marathon I totally bonked. I ran 1:19:00 (female) but was on pace for 1:17; about 9 miles in, I started going downhill (only sipping water) and realized it was just around the 90 minute mark if you include warm up. Stupid mistake in my previous half's I had always taken in at least 1 gel and a ~3 oz of sports drink to allow me to finish strong.
My next half was much more successful, took in sports drink (~3 oz) every 4 miles; a gel at 10 miles and felt great.
Don't listen to the "be tough you don't need to drink" people.. just my opinion. Good luck!
You didn't bonk. Nobody in the history of racing has bonked 1:17 into a race, even with your 90 minute half. That's like a 3 hour marathoner saying "I bonked at mile 14." It would sound absurd. I don't think you know what bonking is if a) you think you bonked and b) think slowing down 20-30 seconds per mile is actual bonking.
You're caught up in semantics. Booo-ring.
Taking in some carbs at 45 min to 1 h of a 1:15 to 1:30 half can be good advice. I do it.
I once bonked (ran out of carbohydrates) about an hour into an easy morning run. But the reason was I ate very little the day before. I know the feeling as I’ve bonked a few times towards the end of marathons when I didn’t load up enough the day or two before.
Having said that, I’m running the Toronto half marathon this Sunday and the last food or water I’ll consume is the evening before and I’ll take nothing during the race. For me, as long as I eat and drink normally the day before a half marathon there’s no need to consume anything on race day.
dork_rothko wrote:
Taking in some carbs at 45 min to 1 h of a 1:15 to 1:30 half can be good advice. I do it.
You realize that the glycogen from those carbs isn't even available to your body until after you cross the finish line, right? And that diverting energy to your digestive system during a race is not the best use of resources?
Swigging some sport drink can have a psychological effect by making your brain think that carbs are on the way and you won't run out any time soon, but that's about all you need in a 1:30 HM, at most. Trying to maintain carb levels during a race that short is counterproductive.