? about Fuel Belt, Camelback, other options. (Waist carriers give my a tummy ache.)

I carry a water bottle in my hand and if it's hot or a very long run, I make sure to route myself near a gas station or place that will let me re-fill my bottle for free.

As for the bike, you can get a rear hydration system that will carry two additional bottles off the back of your seat. Good for long training rides where you might not be near a gas station to refill.

Unless you plan to use a camelbak in the actual race, I wouldn't train with it. I like to train how I race.

I like you have multiple water carrying belts for running and hate them all. I have a camel back for your lower back, its ok. Have the Nathan bottle carrier and I can not put the bottle in it until its totally empty because it bounces too much. So I have been hand carrying a bottle. I started planning my route so I would run past a restaurant, something to refill my bottle. While not perfect it was better than nothing. Next week, I plan to run up in one direction and come back so its my mid way point - refill from my car and then head in the other direction.

I do wish they made a great water device for running but I think with all the bouncing 30-40oz of water is well, 30-40oz of water. I have not tried running with my biking camel back - but ugh - the heat.

There's always the helmet hydration system too if you haven't tried it.  I'd suggest against PBR though unless that's what you're using during training.

Personally I cannot stand carrying a bottle in my hand.  Drives me bananas.  And I have similar issues (to yours) with waist ones.

But I LOVE LOVE LOVE running or cycling with my camelbak.  WORKS GREAT.

I don't race with it...I use aid stations.  But for regular training runs it's PERFECT.  And I really don't see this as a "train like you race" issue.  I mean, you don't stop at gas stations in a race, but you do that when you train.  Same deal with the camelbak really.  I'm okay training with it and racing without.  In fact, it makes me feel nice and light to race without it!

Well, to be fair, you do get to stop at aid stations in a race.

I carry one of those 24 oz Gatorade bottles that have the twist top when I run. If my training run requires more than 1 bottle I just run a loop so I can stop back by the house for another bottle. During my long bike rides I have 2 bottle cages and the aerodrink and have even carried extra water bottles in the back pockets of my bike shirt.

I have been using my backpack style camelback for runs over six miles and love it. You probably would have to wear a shirt (but being a girl that is happening anyway!   The one thing I would point out is when I was training I would take regular small sips.   If you plan on wearing it on a race no big deal ( I did on my last oly)  but if you don't make sure you take larger drinks less often to simulate something closer to aid stations.  I have started doing this as I would prefer to not use it on races.

I sweat like a horse on a typical 25 mile ride I will drain my double resivoir aero bottle 27oz +17oz, and my camelbak, (1.5L slipstream) 50 oz.  so nearly 100 oz.  And I have a bottle back up.
Racing I don't drink as much or else i slosh for the run.
For running i wear the slipstream, easy continuous supply of water, and adjust how much water i bring based on how far i'm going.  50 oz added to my 230 is an after thought.


Camelbak has a shirt that has hydration built in now too. Racebak. ooh

I've tried everything - belts, Camelbaks, holding a regular bottle. I liked the belt option for a while, but never could get it quite right. I have nothin' but love for Camelbaks for everything but running - I just can't stand the bouncing and the straps while running.

I hated holding the bottle the most until recently.  I decided to try one of the Amphipod bottles (20 oz or 12 oz versions available), and surprising (no one more surprised than I!), I love it - even the 20 oz version isn't awkward to carry, and I don't notice any sloshing or weight issues.  The way it fits in your hand doesn't require you to "hold" onto it at all.  Plus, the pocket for gels & a key is great.  

Sure, I stop to refill it once or twice on long runs, but I have to do that with any reasonable running hydration system.  There's no way I'm going out for a run wearing 75 or 100 oz of water, but that's just me.  YMMV.

Cheers, Chris

I would agree that you should not use it in a race if you have not used it in training.  But, um, I think it is fine to use a hydration system during training and not during the race.  They do have the aid stations for a reason.

That being said, I haven't found one I like yet for running as well but there are very thin profile Camelbak ones that should be tolerable.  My problem is chafing when it is hot out.

Strange - I'm surprised at all the people who can't get the Camelbak to work on running.

I've trained for and run 6 marathons, up to 100 miles per week of running, nearly all of them with a full-size Camelbak (MULE). I often run sub-6 minute miles for long stretches with the Camelbak filled with water and stuff, and it works great. To my surprise, I've also never had a single camelbak-related chafing incident, whereas I've chafed pretty much everywhere else (thighs, nipples, armpits, etc.). Nearly everyone I've introduced it to for marathon training strongly agrees with me as well that it works great for running. 

I'm totally sold on the Camelbaks. I'd definitely give it another try if it didn't work the first time. I tried nearly everything on the market that was reputable including the highly regarded Amphipod running belt, and for long distance running, the backpack solution is by far the best. (The amphipod starts to rotate around your hips when you're going really fast and only holds 1/3rd the amount of water of a Camelbak.)

I don't race with it, but I don't think it would hurt my performance at all if I did. 


 

You gotta love hashers!
On-on

Thanks for all the feedback.
Sorry about the spelling error in the subj line.

Sounds like I will be paying forward my waist packs  (I was planning to freecycle them, but BT sounds like a better option) and trying out a Camelback.   Maybe I will make sure to try it on at the store and run around a bunch and make sure I like it first.

Thank you everyone!

oops...screwed up Hydro's quote with my own message...

I think I'm built somewhat like you, so I wear my fuelbelt down low -- pretty much on my butt.  Love my fuelbelt since it holds the dog leash, doggie poop bags, snacks and water for long runs, sometimes even my cell.  I can't stand anything on my shoulders when running.

Run:  I normally run loops, or carry a bottle and be sure to run past some quick source of water.  Gels on a run belt.  I sometimes use the amphipod hydration belt with 4 bottles but even then I need a refill for a long run in hot weather.  I personally like 5 mile loops best.  I can carry a bottle that will last 5 miles easily, and just swap it out each loop, and in that case I can also leave the gels at the swap-point and take them at the same time.

Bike:  I personally feel that my biking fitness/endurance is better served if I minimize stops.  To that end, I maximize the number of bottles I can carry on the bike.  I use a rear bottle holder so that I can carry 4 bottles (one on down tube for concentrated sports drink, one aero bottle with water, two rear bottles for water refill).  With that arrangement, I can go 100+ miles with 1 well-timed stop or two less-than-perfectly timed stops.  I've experimented with carrying even more (two more bottles in the jersey), but I still can't go 100 miles with that arrangement, so it makes no sense and is really uncomfortable, so I just live carrying 4 bottles with a stop to refill the 3 water bottles half way.  I refill the aero bottle from the rear bottles while riding, at strategically chosen moments.

Warning:  the rear bottle holders need to hold your bottles VERY securely, or they will become bottle-ejectors.  They also need to be strong, or they will break.  At least that has been my experience.  I broke or tossed several of them until I settled on some smallish and cheap, but strong, aluminum holders.  They have worked best for me.  Save the cool $40 carbon holders for downtubes and races.

Also:  This is a TRAINING arrangement for me.  In a long race, I have used (and plan to use) just the downtube holder and the aero bottle, refilling water from the course.  In an Oly or Sprint, just the aero bottle is plenty.

Of course, this is all based on just my experience.

I wish the fuelbelt would STAY on my hips....I like it down low too but after a couple strides it makes its way up to my belly button...uh I hate it

I've determined that the fuelbelt is the cause of side cramps. Haven't had cramps in a while since I started using a hand bottle...today wore it and sure enough got a cramp. I've done everything else to get rid of my cramps...has to be the reason. I can't stand the belt...I've gotten used to the hand bottle...just have to plan loops to refill it.