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Hand held vs. Fuel belt

vanjames's picture
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started by vanjames on July 9, 2007

Anyone using hand helds (Ultimate etc) for their races, I have a fuel belt but am nursing a inge in my back that is easily irritated by the belt and bottles. Wondering if anyone uses or has used a hand held system - pros and cons?

benzinobrown's picture
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benzinobrown posted 1 year ago.

I switched from a fuel belt to a handheld, i just didn't like the feeling of the extra weight around my midsection. I have a Ultimate and its worked great. It takes a couple of runs to get used to having something in your hand but the way it attaches to your palm your not really holding it as much as its holding your hand.

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 1 year ago.

I use a hand held all the time always have...never really liked belts.
I do long races (50k ,50 mile and 100k) and it works well... just go into an aid station with the lid already off if you need a re-fill ..saves time. Ultimate is the best.
For tri's I'll use a throw away water bottle for awhile then pitch it when it's empty at an aid station...don't carry anything at an IM as the aid stations are only one mile apart.

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com

RV's picture
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RV posted 1 year ago.

Anton;72710 wrote:
I use a hand held all the time always have...never really liked belts.
I do long races (50k ,50 mile and 100k) and it works well... just go into an aid station with the lid already off if you need a re-fill ..saves time. Ultimate is the best.
For tri's I'll use a throw away water bottle for awhile then pitch it when it's empty at an aid station...don't carry anything at an IM as the aid stations are only one mile apart.

Anton - what about for training? When you need more fluids on a long run? One bottle doesn't go too far.
Right now I use a fuel belt with the larger bottles - equates to two large water bottles - so I can carry water (for gels) and sports drink. It is not the most comfortable thing - feel that it interferes with my arm swing.
Stopping to refill really breaks up the rhythm especially if need to buy more at a store.
I just ordered another belt that has 2 bottles in the small of the back - they are full sized - it claims to be comfortable etc. I have some long runs (3hr) coming up and looking for options. Thanks

RV

It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss

vanjames's picture
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vanjames posted 1 year ago.

Thanks for the thoughts -

RV - I was doing 3hr runs with my Nathan speed 2 (2 10oz bottles) - its like a fuel belt if you don't know of them. I just refill each hour (my route has a few areas). In general i only drink electrolytes on my runs in Nuuns or gleukos and eat gels. It does break things up a bit but is usually a welcome 30second hydration/fuel break. I'm giving the fastdraw a try tomorrow.

vanjames's picture
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vanjames posted 1 year ago.

Are you using two handhelds for the long runs or just one?

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 1 year ago.

RV;72739 wrote:
Anton - what about for training? When you need more fluids on a long run? One bottle doesn't go too far.
Right now I use a fuel belt with the larger bottles - equates to two large water bottles - so I can carry water (for gels) and sports drink. It is not the most comfortable thing - feel that it interferes with my arm swing.
Stopping to refill really breaks up the rhythm especially if need to buy more at a store.
I just ordered another belt that has 2 bottles in the small of the back - they are full sized - it claims to be comfortable etc. I have some long runs (3hr) coming up and looking for options. Thanks

I use the fuel belt and re-fill if need be at a water fountain. The trail I run on has opportunities at 3.5 , 7.5 and 9.5 miles (on an out and back that makes 6 chances) so all is well. RV-- I LIED !!!
Saturday on our century ride I went through 6 bottles (post the other day about riding--counldn't find it to reply!!!!! )It was pretty warm, just bought a big bottle of gatorade when I ran in to go potty (had to do that any way).

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RV posted 1 year ago.

vanjames;72742 wrote:
Thanks for the thoughts -

RV - I was doing 3hr runs with my Nathan speed 2 (2 10oz bottles) - its like a fuel belt if you don't know of them. I just refill each hour (my route has a few areas). In general i only drink electrolytes on my runs in Nuuns or gleukos and eat gels. It does break things up a bit but is usually a welcome 30second hydration/fuel break. I'm giving the fastdraw a try tomorrow.

Actually I ordered the Nathan Elite 2V. The fuel belt that I have has 4 bottles on it pretty much the same as the Nathan Speed 4.
The issue is where I run there are no opportunities to get water. I live out in the country. The county roads are great, but no gas stations etc. so I need to carry a lot comfortably... don't much like doing loops past the house - I like the out and backs. I previously tried a camelback but that chafed pretty bad. So hopefully the Nathan Elite 2V will be more comfortable.

brittda - You lied to me?!?! If I had any feelings they'd be hurt! ;)

RV

It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 1 year ago.

RV;72750 wrote:
Actually I ordered the Nathan Elite 2V. The fuel belt that I have has 4 bottles on it pretty much the same as the Nathan Speed 4.
The issue is where I run there are no opportunities to get water. I live out in the country. The county roads are great, but no gas stations etc. so I need to carry a lot comfortably... don't much like doing loops past the house - I like the out and backs. I previously tried a camelback but that chafed pretty bad. So hopefully the Nathan Elite 2V will be more comfortable.

brittda - You lied to me?!?! If I had any feelings they'd be hurt! ;)

not LIED exactly---miscalculated. My hubby reminded me the ride I did the week before last was only 80 miles for that I had 3 bottles. Please forgive me :(

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 1 year ago.

RV;72739 wrote:
Anton - what about for training? When you need more fluids on a long run? One bottle doesn't go too far.
Right now I use a fuel belt with the larger bottles - equates to two large water bottles - so I can carry water (for gels) and sports drink. It is not the most comfortable thing - feel that it interferes with my arm swing.
Stopping to refill really breaks up the rhythm especially if need to buy more at a store.
I just ordered another belt that has 2 bottles in the small of the back - they are full sized - it claims to be comfortable etc. I have some long runs (3hr) coming up and looking for options. Thanks

I do long runs where I do loops...6,8 or10 miles then I'm back at the car or the house for another fill up, some snacks and off again...loops also allows me to gauge training...First loop slower than second? Lets go harder on the third. I'm a loopy kind of guy! I also sometimes switch out the standard 20 oz bottle for a 24. Have also been known to carry two hand helds and when one is empty...in the jersey pocket.

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com

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LongTime posted 1 year ago.

Like Anton I'm a big loop guy myself. Even when cycling I often carry one bottle unless it's super hot and I have to ride in the afternoon. Strategically placed gas stations and visitors centers, etc, allow quick fluid replacement. On one of my out-and-back 20 milers, I drive out the night before and place some GU/gel and Gatorade hidden somewhere, but it's easier just to loop back to my house for a potty break, etc. Reminds me of a funny story regarding Bill Rogers (if you have to ask who he is, there is no hope for you.) Boston Billy would hide a bottle of water along his running route. One of his running friends found out and emptied it as a practical joke. Funny? You tell me.

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LongTime posted 1 year ago.

Oh, as for carrying belts or whatever while running, well, I'm not a carrying things while running kind of guy. Again, I'll hide some water or something along the route, or get some water at city park fountain I often visit.

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theShiba posted 1 year ago.

LongTime;72786 wrote:
Like Anton I'm a big loop guy myself. Even when cycling I often carry one bottle unless it's super hot and I have to ride in the afternoon. Strategically placed gas stations and visitors centers, etc, allow quick fluid replacement. On one of my out-and-back 20 milers, I drive out the night before and place some GU/gel and Gatorade hidden somewhere, but it's easier just to loop back to my house for a potty break, etc. Reminds me of a funny story regarding Bill Rogers (if you have to ask who he is, there is no hope for you.) Boston Billy would hide a bottle of water along his running route. One of his running friends found out and emptied it as a practical joke. Funny? You tell me.

hahaha.... a running friend of mine hides Cokes along Marathon routes the day before races. During the race he will retrieve them.... When he gets strange looks from spectators he says, "What!?!? You've never seen a Coke tree before?"