We're ready for a drought now

Amphipod RunLite AirStretch 2+™ 

The timelapserunner has been obsessing about hydration for weeks now (see here, here, here, and here). Worried about drinking too much and worried about drinking too little during a training run and, of course, come race day. With yesterday's post we pretty much lowered the angst level by understanding that thirst should drive one to drink - water, that is. Still, we have a number of very long runs in the offing according to our training plan and we already know that it's hard to rely on park fountains to be working well enough (or at all) to offer relief. So, what's a thirsty boy to do?

RunLite AirStretch 2+™ in place

The first inset pic above telegraphs our solution: we'll endeavor to carry water with us on our long runs. To make this possible we've acquired the Amphipod RunLite AirStretch 2+™.  This little puppy will come to the rescue and provide hydration when we need it. Well, almost. Using even the lower numbers of 13.5 ounces of water needed per hour, the two 10.5 ounce bottles on the RunLite 2+ will give us a bit less than two hours worth of water. Making an 8-mile loop would require at least one fill-up on the way around, so one will have to plan to either have a vehicle with water stationed on the loop or have at least one fill-up point somewhere. Have no fear: we'll devise routes to make that work.

RunLite AirStretch 2+™ with gels

The RunLite 2+ fits nicely around the waist, held on by a long section of Velcro. The two bottles snap in and out of removable carriages on the belt, making access and replacement easy while on the move. There's also a small pouch to hold things like keys and an ID. On the front of the pouch are four elastic loops through which one can slide gel packs for mid-run energy replenishment. Additional carriages can be added to the belt to allow up to four water bottles should that be deemed necessary, though we're thinking that the two will do - if we keep the longest loop to 7 or 8 miles.

We'll get our first chance to try the Amphipod RunLite 2+ out this coming weekend during our 7-miler. That distance is long enough to generate thirst on a hot Louisiana morning but short enough, we believe, to avoid running into any unforeseen troubles with a first time use.

TODAY'S WORKOUT: A run/walk/run 4-miler around the Lakes; planned for 11:53, actual was 11:49, using 2:02 / 1:00 intervals, with a nominal run pace of 10:33 per mile. Warmed up by doing the Fab 14 stretches. No injury problems to speak of.