Do you take water during a half marathon?

Depends on the conditions, although proper hydration prior to the race should make it not necessary, but if you need to then do so.

I think it depends on how long you're out there. For someone running barely over an hour, unless it's hot I think taking water once would be plenty. None would be fine too. But the longer you're out there the more you might need it, especially if it's somewhat warm.

yes there is technique to this. spill half out, punch cup between thumb and index finger at top lip, squeeze tight - bring to lips and tilt/ suck water through narrow opening

javery529 wrote:

Is there a secret to drinking water from a cup while running or am I going to be forced to stop, drink and then get going again?

Yes, the secret is called practice.

Tip: Fold the cup when you grab it so it forms a little angled spout. Drink from there. Much more likely for the water to get to the right place.

Luv the half wrote:

Depends on the conditions, although proper hydration prior to the race should make it not necessary, but if you need to then do so.

Last HM was 40-45 degrees.

Next HM is in a month in NW Ohio which last year, was 25 with 22mph winds.

No, I will pour it over my head or something like that but not drink it.

under 90- minutes you shouldn't need water.

If you want to, take it. If you don't want to, don't take it.

No, not unless it is very hot.

+1 on most observations here.

Assuming good pre-race hydration, taking fluids on course during a race of up to Half Marathon distance is not generally required for performance reasons - unless it is a hot.

If you plan on marathoning, hydration intake throughout is advisable, even on a cold day.

So while you may not need to drink and run for your next Half, you should practice it.

As stated by others, try and grab more than one cup, pinch them to make a spout (reduces spillage and makes it easier to drink), and also turn your head to the side when drinking to reduce spills landing on your shirt and shoes.

Pretty simple. Weigh yourself before, weigh yourself after. Make an informed decision.

If it’s Churchill’s your going to place really well !! Screw the water just race

runn wrote:

No, I will pour it over my head or something like that but not drink it.

If it's a little warm I'll try to drink a small amount 2-3 times during the race, but usually I just grab a cup at the water station and pour it over my head. Be sure it's water and not something else, though, or you'll be a sticky mess.

I take whatever I can get. I paid to enter a race, so the refreshments along a course are part of what I paid for. Before a race I always ask how many cups I can take per refreshment station, so I can always know to take the maximum amount. Sometimes this leads to problems and slows me down, because I'll be carrying up to 40 cups while trying to run. I also stack them after drinking from them, and take them home.

Everybody is different. Some people only take water a couple of times during a half marathon or maybe not even take water at all. Others take water at every station. I would listen to your body as your racing, if you are thirsty, drink water. If your full, skip the water station or maybe take a cup, take a sip, put the water on the back of your neck if it's hot out.

Some of it depends on what you do during training. If you take in a lot of water while training, you are more likely to take water during a race like the half marathon.

I ran a half-marathon in May 2019. Took water once and that was only to wash down a gel around mile 8. Anything less than half-marathon distance, I go without nutrition/hydration unless it's a very hot day.

On a typical cool race morning, you won't need the water for hydration, but anything that helps you feel better will boost you psychologically. I grabbed a cup of Gatorade at mile 8.5 just for the placebo effect of the carbs on my way to breaking 1:20, even though I only swallowed a half ounce, got another ounce on my face, and dumped the rest on the ground.

javery529 wrote:

FWIW, last HM was a mediocre 1:25:50(35-40mpw), on track for about a 1:20.

it's still mediocre

Ernest wrote:

+1 on most observations here.

Assuming good pre-race hydration, taking fluids on course during a race of up to Half Marathon distance is not generally required for performance reasons - unless it is a hot.

If you plan on marathoning, hydration intake throughout is advisable, even on a cold day.

So while you may not need to drink and run for your next Half, you should practice it.

As stated by others, try and grab more than one cup, pinch them to make a spout (reduces spillage and makes it easier to drink), and also turn your head to the side when drinking to reduce spills landing on your shirt and shoes.

Turning you head to the side is a great tip.

All the studies show benefit from water, although talented runners benefit less. I use two hands and throw each cup down my throat with an adrenalized, almost angry, motion. You have to force yourself. Then two cups splashed over your face. Takes practice and a concerted effort. It’s your job to hydrate, accept nothing less.