Training for Half Marathon March 2010

Had VSG February of 09 and am in the process of training for Half Marathon, looking for suggestions on keeping hydrated during the run and what training methods people have used! I am having issues with running and drinking water during the run, seems to mess up my breathing pattern. I have run a 5K and am going to run another in a couple of weeks! Any and all suggestions are welcome! Thank you in advance!!

Jennifer

Couple options on drinking.
practice practice practice.  I know I can't run and drink or walk and chew bubblegum so I sympathize with you on this one.

The other option is to drink when you hit the aid stations.  They are usually spaced every couple miles or so.  I have seen them as close as each mile and spaced further than that as well.
If  you get lucky with every mile, then for me, that works out just right.  I try to take a few ounces every 10 minutes or so.  I'm still experimenting, but that seems to be o.k. so far.

Congrats on your decision to run the 1/2 marathon, and good luck on the upcoming 5k

Scott

What Scott said....

When I ran my first 5k, I choked on the water trying to run and drink at the same time. Now I can do it though. It just takes practice.

I have these squirt bottles on a belt and they are pretty easy to drink from. I usually put a sports drink in them.

When I'm on a course with the paper cups, I squeeze the cup flat and hold it in my fingers like a V. So then I'm drinking between my fingers and it's like a little spout.

Thank you for your responses, guessing it will just get better in time!! I thought about trying a camel back, have any of you tried one of those?

I just got one but for biking. I haven't used it yet.

Training for a half or full your going to need a hydration belt.   I use the Amphipod RunLite 4 because it's so adjustable.  You can take bottles off. Turn them sideways.   Add more.  Change bottle sizes.

http://www.amphipod.com/8400/8400.html

You will also need to start thinking about sports nutrition (Sport Beans or Gu Gel etc.) and Electrolye replacement.   You can look back on older threads here for more information or post up a new thread with your questions.

Tom

Thanks! That is pretty neat!!! I will have to check it out!

Check out www.littlerockmarathon.com for free training info. I am currently training for the half in March also. We are doing a buildup training at the moment, and the full on training starts in October. Good luck!

Thank you!! Some great inforrmation!!