2 questions from half marathon newbie

Ososlo

Hydration: Just wondering if it is necessary to take on any fluids during a half marathon? I am doing my first half next week and need some advice as longer races are new for me. In training, I have run 11 miles a few times with no water and don't feel thirsty at all. I have taken on some gels, mainly to practice taking them for future long runs/races. I don't feel a need for them as such but I kind of feel they give me a bit of a psychological boost so will take 2 with me. Am I depriving myself of a better performance by not taking water? I hate the thought of having to stop at a water station and lose my rhythm:( I never ever stop on any of my lsrs. I don't fancy carrying water either.

Rubbish: i plan on wearing gloves for the first part of the race as I suffer from cold hands. I envisage having to get rid of them about half way through and was wondering if it is acceptable to throw them to the side of the road? I don't think there will be rubbish bins at my disposal and don't want to be seen as a total skanger by littering the lovely country roads of Waterford:o Does my entry fee cover litter cleanup afterwards?
Advice appreciated:)

paulwexford

Pre hydrate before race is the main thing, your body will become dehydrated the further you run so probably best to take on some water from middle to latter stages of the race. Sip small amounts of water to reduce interruption to running/breathing patterns. Race organisers will ensure all litter/water bottles are cleared after race. Best of luck on Saturday!

RayCun

Ososlo wrote: »

I envisage having to get rid of them about half way through and was wondering if it is acceptable to throw them to the side of the road?

Two birds with one stone - drop your gloves at the water station

spurscormac

A good idea for disposable gloves are cotton ones you can get in a pharmacy, only cost a couple of euro or so.

ThePiedPiper

In a Winter half-marathon, there's probably very little need to take on any fluids. Personally, I would usually only take on just a very small amount of water in a half marathon if it was warm weather, if it was cold, I probably wouldn't bother.

It also depends on your effort levels. In shorter races, I would definitely find that my stomach would more likely be dodgy if I took on fluids.

The main thing, though, is that you do not do anything in a race that you have not done in training. If you don't take on much fluid in training runs, don't take them on in races.

Rolex_

Agree with above answers. It's likely to be cold in Waterford looking at the forecast. Unless you are likely to take 2 hours or more for the HM you probably shouldn't need to take on fluids.
For gloves, latex/surgical disposable gloves are also agood option if you can get your hands on them- and dropping at a drinks station is fine

Ososlo

Rolex_ wrote: »

Agree with above answers. It's likely to be cold in Waterford looking at the forecast. Unless you are likely to take 2 hours or more for the HM you probably shouldn't need to take on fluids.
For gloves, latex/surgical disposable gloves are also agood option if you can get your hands on them- and dropping at a drinks station is fine

yes i will be taking a little over 2 hours to get to the finish:o

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll avoid the water stations (except to drop the gloves. Great tip, thanks Raycun:D). Unless of course I need to on the day but I never need water on my lsrs. In saying that, I've only ever run 11 miles! Not 13.1:eek: (starting to get worried now...)

I've stocked up with lots of pairs of cheap Dunnes gloves so I'm covered on that front. thanks!

rom

A top (one that i used for painting etc) that you can dump 2-3 mins before the start is also handy and I would keep it on till the last minute or even throw it off after 1/2 mile. If you throw it just to the side of the road it should be fine. Throwing them as some people do up on ditches etc is a complete pain. Some people throw their drinks bottles very far from the road which are a pain to get.

Ososlo

rom wrote: »

A top (one that i used for painting etc) that you can dump 2-3 mins before the start is also handy and I would keep it on till the last minute or even throw it off after 1/2 mile. If you throw it just to the side of the road it should be fine. Throwing them as some people do up on ditches etc is a complete pain. Some people throw their drinks bottles very far from the road which are a pain to get.

Cool, thanks rom, but how will you get the painting top to me on time?? :D:D

Weather should be cold but no wind! Yeah:pac:

Race info arrived today and states that I can toss my rubbish to the "side of the road"! Double Yeah!:pac::pac:
One less thing to worry about...

rom

"I think I'll avoid the water stations " probably a bad idea. 2 small sips and throwing it away is a good approach. I would at least rince out and spit because that will give benefit even if you don't feel thirst otherwise you will think a mile down the road that it will be 6 miles since you last tasted any water.

spurscormac

On the water stations, you don't have to get water from the start of the station.
If its backed up with people, have a look as you approach to see if there's some free space towards the end - there usually is.
That way you can keep moving and grab your water on the go.

Depending on the day, you might need that water. Even now with this cold weather, a rinse of the mouth helps. I wouldn't take much more than that.
However, on a hotter day, you might need to drink more & even pour the remainder over your head to cool off a bit - unlikely this weekend.