Tag Archives: Camelbak

First let’s talk about training stuff. I was feeling generally lazy a fat-a-fied (new word!) on Sunday (my normal rest day), so I went to the gym for a 5 mile tempo run. Just before the run, I perfected the full body self-portrait.

Now I don’t have to subject you to these pictures anymore. Although, my hips look really thin in this picture and I assure you they are not. Hmmm. New rule! From now on, all pictures of me must be in aerial view.

The run looked like this:

• Mile 1:   10:00 pace
• Mile 2:   9:40 pace
• Mile3:    9:30 pace
• Thought I was going to die from all the alcohol Michelle plied me with the night before and walked half a mile. Then I got a second wind and decided to do 2 more miles instead of stopping.
• Mile 4:   9:15 pace
• Mile 5:   9:05 pace (8:49 pace for the last quarter mile)

*****

Last night was some strength training with our personal trainer.

4 fast sets of:

• 30 wide leg dead lifts with upright row
• 20 thrusters
• 10 box jumps

It usually takes me 24 hours to feel sore and I’m already feeling it this morning. That workout was a serious cardio/strength training combo!

*****

Why I Love Running with a Camelbak

During races (and even in my running group), I get a lot of questions about how I like running with a Camelbak.

 I’ve run half marathons with it and without it, but I always prefer running long distance with it. If the run is under 10 miles, I’ll usually carry a water bottle or nothing.

A reader even recognized me by my Camelbak in a race once. (Hi Shawntae!)

FAQs:

Does it flop around?
No. You just need to make sure you pull the straps tight enough so it doesn’t move. If you don’t pull the straps tight enough, you can get a rash, which happened after the Gasparilla Half Marathon.

Is it heavy?
It’s about as heavy as a kid’s backpack with two 16-oz bottles of water in it. Honestly, I never notice it. Of course I’d prefer to run with nothing, but that’s not realistic for my water needs.

How much water does it hold?
My Camelbak is a smaller one and holds around 40 oz. (Maybe 50 oz?)  There are larger Camelbaks out there that hold more water. My hubs has a larger one that’s much nicer than mine, but I like to keep it as light as possible.

Does it slow you down?
No. I’ve PRed in races wearing it and I’ve ran total crap races wearing it. Like I said, it’s not something I notice. However, an elitist would probably tell you differently.

Reasons I love Running with a Camelbak:

• I don’t have to carry anything in my hands (my biggest running pet peeve) or use a hydration belt that’s too heavy to stay in place with my big hip/small waist ratio.
• During races, water stations are too far apart for me. I generally drink a little water during every mile and water stations can be spaced 1.5-2.0 miles apart. In the Florida heat, that’s just not often enough.
• I don’t have to wear a SPIbelt or iFitness belt. The belts don’t bother me to wear, but if my tummy decides to do the tango, I’d rather not have something tight and fitting around my midsection if you know what I mean.

• If I’m doing a training run, the Camelbak allows me to run in areas where I don’t have to make sure there’s a water fountain on the path.
• I can fuel whenever I want to. Gu, Shot Bloks, and other fuel are supposed to be taken with water. If I’m ready to fuel during a run, I don’t have to wait for a water station or water fountain.
• The extra pockets on the Camelbak allow me to bring all sorts of stuff on my run that’s normally a pain in the ass to carry – my cell phone, extra food, *cough*toilet paper*cough*, body glide, keys, and a camera.
• Photo opportunities like this:

Do you run with a Camelbak or other hydration pack?

What is the item you can’t run without?