long run hydration

I carry a water bottle with me on most of my runs. Like many things you will get use to it after you do it long enough. I use an insulated sleeve with a strap as you mentioned that I just slide my hand through. You can get them at Walmart for a few bucks or you can get the Camelback version for like $14. 

I also carry one on the run when I race. Two things I like about it, 1. I seem to pass a lot of people at the water stations, 2. I can drink a little at my leisure rather than have to grab and gulp at the aid stations. 

Oh, something to consider if you do go the bottle route, rather than just using it on your long runs, get use to carrying it on your shorter runs, try just filling it up half way. I bet after a week or two of this you'll forget you have it in your hand,,,,,,,, until you get thirst.

I've used both a two bottle and four bottle Fuel Belt and they were ok but I now prefer a small Nathan pack.  Not only is it great for my fluids but it has two vest pockets that are perfect for my gel flasks.  I can also carry keys, phone, rain jacket, etc.

I use a 4 bottle Amphipod belt.  But that's still only good for 15 miles or so.  So, for longer runs I'll need to run by someplace with water or leave a bottle along the route.  

My personal rule of thumb is no water for anything under an hour. Longer runs I wear a hydration belt. Not only is it good for water, but I also carry gel, my phone, plastic bags, and wet wipes. A lot can happen after an hour of running. In my last 2-hour run, I went through 3 gel packs and 18 oz. of water.

Even for short runs (3-6 miles) I carry a small hand held bottle, I like having something to sip on as I run. For longer runs I use the Nathan "triangle" belt with a 600ml bottle as well, it only took a couple of runs to get used to it. So far I've managed to almost master transferring my beverage of choice (usually Fluid) from the larger bottle into the hand held while still jogging without too much splashing.

How you carry your water will certainly be a personal preference, and there are a lot of fantastic suggestions here.

One thing I would add would be to think about hydration as not just something you do during the run, but something you do before and after (and quite honestly, always.) I am sure to hydrate well every day, beefing up the amount I drink  the day or two leading up to a long run (anything over 16 miles.) When it's cooler, I can complete the majority of the long run without stopping for water If I am well hydrated coming into the run.

After a bout of kidney stones earlier this year, staying hydrated all the time is something I have learned to do.

So if its 3 miles I don't carry water.

Ifs its 6 to 3.5 miles I run with a handheld that has a hand strap and a small pouch for my phone.

For runs longer than 6 miles I run with my big 65oz camel back. If the run goes past 10 miles I will stop and top off the camel back at some point.

But then again this is for my runs in the heat of central Texas. As the cold weather arrives I don't need nearly as much water.

Good luck on finding your hydration balance.