A reader posted this question as a comment to my Cook Forest 1/2 marathon blog (you might want to check out her entire comments since she includes some context about the race itself):
"I'm wondering if you have any advice on water bottle/waist packs/backpacks - basically how to best carry water with you. I really can't envision me wearing a waist/fanny pack. Part of the reason I'm running is to shrink my waist - not make it look even bigger! -- Christine
LOL. I'm with you there, sister. I have a God-given belly pack of my own...I don't want to strap another on top!
It's a sad fact --- and I'll blog more on this topic later -- that slower runners must often contend with crappy race conditions as many race directors "pack it in" before the last runners are in. (more on this later).
Back to waists and water...
I've actually bought a couple of waist packs before and hated them both. One was a "wallet-type" pack that I bought to hold money & tissues & a cell phone and such, but it would NOT stay tight to my waist and would ride up and flop around. Drove me insane. I decided I'd rather just tuck everything into my waistband or buy a clip for it and clip it on.
The other waist pack I bought was one that held a couple of little bottles of water. I bought this when I was training for my first marathon years ago. I think I wore it once and decided it just wasn't worth it.
So...what are you options if you don't want to strap water around your waist?
1.) A lot of runners who are on long training runs will "drop" water. Which basically means they go out on their chosen course (or the race course, in your case) the night before and stash water in some obscure place -- a ditch, near a fence post, in a thick of weeds). Tip: In the summer.. drop it off frozen and it's melted and ice-cold when you get there.
Another tip: Drop your water near a good landmark (mile marker, fifth telephone pole, etc.) because you will not remember where you dropped it later (trust me...I'm still looking for three bottles of water I threw into a ditch on Harborgreene road last fall).
In a race, you can still drop water -- you'll just need to get to the course the night before (or hours before) so you can drop it before they close the road. I know that wouldn't have helped you at the Cook Forest 1/2,but...it's something to consider for any local races you do.
2.) Some runners -- particularly long-distance runners love the Camelbak water packs (basically backpacks full of water with a tube you drink out of). I've never used one, so I can't offer my personal take on the device. I doubt I'd like these because I can't stand wearing extra "stuff" when I'm running and I suspect this sucker would be annoying and hot and sweaty on your back after a while, but...again....I haven't used one...so I can't really dis' it. (Readers -- feel free to offer your opinion if you've used one -- post a comment to this entry below!).
3.) Carry water in a specially-designed bottle. Why the specially-designed bottle? Because carrying a regular water bottle is almost certain to cause a hand cramp if you're clenching it for miles on end. Here's a neat bottle called "H2O at Hand.". Or...you can get one that has a strap like this one that will allow you to, at least, release your grip on it every once in a while.
For more info...check out:
• This list of "take-it-with-you" hydration system reviews at www.about.com.
• The Hydration Pack Review at Runner's World (note that at least half of these are the waist-wearing variety though.