Camelbacks

Pros:  Can carry plenty of your own fluids and easy to drink as you ride/run.

Cons:  Extra weight and possibly restrics your cooling ability.

Some people use them.  Others don't.  I wouldn't want to race with one and prefer to rely on what's provided on the course.  Could see some benefits for long training sessions, but I still choose other options.  Comes down to personal preferences.

I trained with one, so I used one in my IM. I also rode a road bike, so it wasn't annoying to wear. On my tri bike though, the Camelbak can get annoying.

I personally loved having it. In Kentucky, it was really hot and having cold water to sip on for 112 miles was life saving as far as I'm concerned. Cold water on a hot day = perfection.

So for me, the hassle of wearing it, was worth it.

KSH! I didn't recognize you with the new photo

I'm debating wearing one from IM Cozumel.  I'm going to do my long rides with it ... I think having easy access (hehe) to cold water will be beneficial in Mexico...

My husband wears one on long training rides and it works well for us because we can refill anytime we need more water.  He's never worn one in a race though.  I probably would only consider wearing one for an IM- especially if it's a hot one.

I'm wondering for IM Cozumel how the water bottle drops will be handled.  I've heard that for the run the water will be in bags- is that the same for the bike?  If so I'm thinking it will be really hard to drink out of them while riding and we wouldn't be able to put them in the bottle cages?   So if that's the case then a camelback will be extremely handy. 

I love using them for training rides,,,  

I think I used one for a 1/2IM or maybe it was an aquabike, Only one bottle cage on the bike and that was for calories so I had the camelback for water..    maybe that is why I switched to the aero bottle

anyway..  if you do use it, I'm pretty certain you won't be alone, if you are comfortable with it for training it will work for a race.  It might not be the best idea out there, but it's definately not the worst

Why bring/wear one when you will have bottle exchange on the bike course and frequent aid station on the run course. It means carrying lots of extra weight with you when you can get what you need on the course.

There really should be enough water in your races that you don't need  camelback.  When I practice I use one on the run 45oz, cuz it can get 100 F or so on my runs. But, in races, you have water every mile typically so no biggie. 

On the bike I can get 140 oz on the frame for training, but typically only have 24 oz (nutrition) and 24 water on the bike durring a HIM or longer race.  The more you can go without weight on your body the better in my book. 

Because... a Camelbak will keep iced water cold for 2 hours... easy... even in 95 degree heat. In Kentucky they had ice at the aid stations.

A cold bottle of water will get warm in about 15 minutes in that kind of heat.

I think what kind of heat you are racing in makes a difference. It's a whole other world when it's 90-100 degrees on a race course.

You're totally right about it staying colder longer- there's a big difference with a cambelback vs waterbottles.  You can evenfreeze the bladder and let it thaw as you ride- keeps your back cool    Last time we rode and froze the bladder it took a lot longer to thaw than we thought it would!  Next time we'll make sure to take it out the freezer earlier.

Edited by runnergirl 2009-07-23 2:49 PM

Sorry- DP

Edited by runnergirl 2009-07-23 2:48 PM

I am planning on using my camelback during my upcoming HIM, only during the run though.  Why?  I don't care about the temperature of my water, but I do like a steady supply of water.   I am a very heavy sweater and need lots of fluid.  I also prefer to sip my water vice trying to chug down cups of it at aid stations every mile or so, easier on the stomach.  I have also found I can drink much more fluid, stay better hydrated and have more control over the intake.  For me this means better performance, even with the weight penalty of carrying the camelback. 

Greg

I train in 100 F temps and just drink the warm water.  For an IM in 95-100 F temps, my swim is going to take 1:40 ish and the temps won't get really hot until 3 hours after that.  So if I had a camelback, the water would no longer be cold by the time I wanted it to be cold (5-10 hours later).  For your run, you are going to have water every mile anyway, which is typically pleanty.  I did a HIM in cool weather and only stopped at water stations 4x.  However, if the temps are 105F that is another story entirely, but 1 mile should stil be good.  If in doubt though, go with what will make you feel less anxious and more comfortable.  You can then use that information to decide what to do for your next one.