Run Run Away

Question:

: I picked the belt and bottle up at the Running Room in Vancouver – the : belt includes 2 side pockets that are perfect for keys, spare change, : etc. as well. : Ah the Running Room! How do you find the store? Did you buy running shoes there? If so, were the salespeople helpful? My permanent home is in Vancouver (although I’m not there most of the time) but I haven’t been to the Running Room since I’m rarely back in Canada. Conal

Response:

: I picked the belt and bottle up at the Running Room in Vancouver – the : belt includes 2 side pockets that are perfect for keys, spare change, : etc. as well. : Ah the Running Room! How do you find the store? Did you buy running shoes there? If so, were the salespeople helpful? My permanent home is in Vancouver (although I’m not there most of the time) but I haven’t been to the Running Room since I’m rarely back in Canada.

I am happy with the store & the staff!  I haven’t bought shoes there, but have tried some on and got some advice.  I’m in their running club so I’m out there a fair bit.  Once they get my size shoe in stock, I’ll probably pick them up. Sarah

Response:

I’m almost certain that I saw this in the newest RR catalog (just came in the last day or two).  Check the middle section (near the order form, where they usually have a couple of "specials"). – Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry…

Response:

Actually there is a bottle that is ON the latest RR order form.  It is called "The FastDraw" and comes with a 20oz. plastic flask and lists for $9.99.  Road Runner’s phone number is 1-800-551-5558. X24 Bloomington, IN Jim wrote…

|I’m almost certain that I saw this in the newest RR catalog (just came in |the last day or two).  Check the middle section (near the order form, where |they usually have a couple of "specials"). | |- Jim | |

| | Greetings: | | Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that | sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen | ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I | carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to | the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these | neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I | didn’t see one in the RR catalog. | | Thx, | Harry… | | |

Response:

FWIW, I started carrying a water bottle in a belt (as described below by Rick) about a month ago.  I thought it would be really uncomfortable after running for ~ one year with no water.  It took less than 1 run to get used to it and now I couldn’t run without it.  My only complaint is that is can be kind of heavy when full, but I really appreciate the water during the runs, esp. for long runs. I picked the belt and bottle up at the Running Room in Vancouver – the belt includes 2 side pockets that are perfect for keys, spare change, etc. as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m with Mr. Gontang; I don’t like to carry bottle. But in Dallas heat, and with me as a clydesdale who sweats heavily, the water fountains every four miles on my favorite trail don’t get the job done. I’ve tried all the options, and the one I hate the least is the belt with a single water bottle held in the middle of the small of the back. On me it has to be tight to stay put. But I also run when I travel, and can’t scope out the trails that have available water. The belt helps there, too. If I can, I’ll stash a bottle along the way–this works on an out-and-back run, and then I don’t have to carry it the whole distance. I’m also with Ozzie in that I never carry water on an organized run with provided water stops. Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry… Harry, I am sure that someone will be able to answer your question about the strapped water bottles. I must be missing something but I would suspect that carrying your 20 ouncer for 23 miles would possibly add several minutes to your marathon time and also throw you off balance. The picture of my wife’s first marathon was noticeable lean in the later miles of her marathon favoring the bottle carrying side.  The shoulder tightened up and it through off her normal stride. For the life of me I find it difficult if not impossible to buy into the need during training of carrying water packs, camel packs, bottles in hands, etc ( and I know that people have good reasons as this has been discussed in previous threads on rec.running). For me most of the long runs are on courses where I know the water stops and the toilet stops. For various marathon training groups, it seemed to me just another item to sell to the beginning marathoners.  In a marathon where there are water stops along the entire route which have water and various carbo drinks, it has never made sense to have to carry water bottles. I just don’t see the need for carrying water in training runs or the actual marathon where water is available along the way. Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

Response:

A lot depends on the location. I’m in Dallas as well and you can’t run in the summer without constant water intake. Those belts are literally life savers – not marathon gimmicks. And that’s even for short distances. Picture running in 100+ temperatures with about 75-80% humidity. Not fun even with water. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For various marathon training groups, it seemed to me just another item to sell to the beginning marathoners.  In a marathon where there are water stops along the entire route which have water and various carbo drinks, it has never made sense to have to carry water bottles. I just don’t see the need for carrying water in training runs or the actual marathon where water is available along the way.

Response:

I’m with Mr. Gontang; I don’t like to carry bottle. But in Dallas heat, and with me as a clydesdale who sweats heavily, the water fountains every four miles on my favorite trail don’t get the job done. I’ve tried all the options, and the one I hate the least is the belt with a single water bottle held in the middle of the small of the back. On me it has to be tight to stay put. But I also run when I travel, and can’t scope out the trails that have available water. The belt helps there, too. If I can, I’ll stash a bottle along the way–this works on an out-and-back run, and then I don’t have to carry it the whole distance. I’m also with Ozzie in that I never carry water on an organized run with provided water stops. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry… Harry, I am sure that someone will be able to answer your question about the strapped water bottles.   I must be missing something but I would suspect that carrying your 20 ouncer for 23 miles would possibly add several minutes to your marathon time and also throw you off balance. The picture of my wife’s first marathon was noticeable lean in the later miles of her marathon favoring the bottle carrying side.  The shoulder tightened up and it through off her normal stride. For the life of me I find it difficult if not impossible to buy into the need during training of carrying water packs, camel packs, bottles in hands, etc ( and I know that people have good reasons as this has been discussed in previous threads on rec.running). For me most of the long runs are on courses where I know the water stops and the toilet stops.   For various marathon training groups, it seemed to me just another item to sell to the beginning marathoners.  In a marathon where there are water stops along the entire route which have water and various carbo drinks, it has never made sense to have to carry water bottles. I just don’t see the need for carrying water in training runs or the actual marathon where water is available along the way.

Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

Response:

Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry…

Response:

I just asked the same type of question in an ultra email group. here’s one of the online suggestions: www.ultdir.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry…

Response:

Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry…

Harry… This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, but when I do long runs, I just take my water bottles and wrap a bandana around the bottle and around my hand so I don’t have to "grip" the bottle–it works and costs about $0.80. Plus when the water’s gone you’ve still got the damp rag to wipe your face with, etc…just a thought! Kelly

Response:

Greetings: Just curious, I live in CT. and have been trying to find a store that sells water bottles with the neoprene handles or straps (like I’ve seen ultra-runners use). I hope this description is clear. Last marathon I carried a "reguler" 20oz. Gatorade bottle filled with Coke & water up to the 23 mile mark. It sure would have been nice to have had one of these neoprene strapped jobs! Any suggestions, mailorder or otherwise? I didn’t see one in the RR catalog. Thx, Harry…

Harry, I am sure that someone will be able to answer your question about the strapped water bottles.   I must be missing something but I would suspect that carrying your 20 ouncer for 23 miles would possibly add several minutes to your marathon time and also throw you off balance. The picture of my wife’s first marathon was noticeable lean in the later miles of her marathon favoring the bottle carrying side.  The shoulder tightened up and it through off her normal stride. For the life of me I find it difficult if not impossible to buy into the need during training of carrying water packs, camel packs, bottles in hands, etc ( and I know that people have good reasons as this has been discussed in previous threads on rec.running). For me most of the long runs are on courses where I know the water stops and the toilet stops.   For various marathon training groups, it seemed to me just another item to sell to the beginning marathoners.  In a marathon where there are water stops along the entire route which have water and various carbo drinks, it has never made sense to have to carry water bottles. I just don’t see the need for carrying water in training runs or the actual marathon where water is available along the way. — In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer-rec.running FAQ Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic,  est. 1975

Response: