Half Marathon and long run hydration belt =)

I use an Amphipod Run Lite 4 and it works well.  You need to really cinch it up to avoid major bounce but once locked in it's good to go.

http://www.amphipod.com/products/hydration/hydration-belts/runlite-hydration-belts/runlite-4

I have a Fuel Belt similar to the one in the picture that I used for marathon training.  And when they cancelled the Myrtle Beach Marathon in 2010 (the night before the race), it came in handy for my first unsupported 26.2 (actually 26.7 because I took a wrong turn while running the course from memory).

I've had no problems with mine, though it could use a larger pouch for a cell phone. But I bet that's available for a little extra as well.

I've been using this:

http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-Delaney-Race-24-Hydration/dp/B002YWORHO/ref=pd_sbs_sg2

I like the one big bottle, opposed to a bunch of smaller ones, for some reason.  It has been working out great during my recent HM training.  The bottle stays in tightly yet it is easy to get at, the camelbak bite valve prevents leaking, the front pocket can hold some stuff if needed (keys, gels, etc) and the extra flasks can be used for gels or more liquid on longer runs. 

I've gotten so used to it, that I'm contemplating racing with it instead of hitting the water stops.  I've seen it on bonktown for $19.99.

Thanks!  But.... oooops!  The 13.1 coming up in January is going to be my first HM.  I'll edit that.  Sorry!  =)

Arms hitting the bottles... my thoughts exactly. I'm a bit concerned about that but my arms usually swing with elbows bent 90 degrees so I might be okay.  Good points about aid stations during the race.

Bt won't let me change my original post.  Too much time has passed!  >.<

But yeah, the HM race this coming January is going to be my first ever HM.  Please keep sharing your thoughts guys!  Very interesting posts.  Thanks! 

I used a 2 bottle belt for my long runs and found if I pushed it down onto my hips it wouldn't move and I couldn't tell it ws there.

As for race day I didn't wear anything as there were plenty of water stations through out the course.  I doubt you'll need to wear it for the actual race.

Since we're giving n=1 experiences, I'll add mine.  I've never run with more than a single 600ml bottle in my hand - and that's lasted me up to 24km, which was just over 2 hours.  I also knew that the race I was aiming for had water stations every 2km, so that's what I practised while running - drinking just gatorade, small sips about every 10min.

I'll also add that my longer runs were done fall, winter, spring in Canada - so it was cool/cold out.  If it was hot, I wouldn't get away with one bottle, and would consider investing in a belt that carried one extra bottle behind the back, and just swap it for the empty one when needed.  That said I always worry about the rubbing/moving of a bottle and have avoided spending the money up to this point.

I don't like to carry water with me, but if I had to, I would use a hand held. 

For races, I just use the aid stations.

I use a handheld.  ~20 oz, and it works well.  I use an insulated Camelback bottle, so body heat doesn't warm the water too much.  I plan to use it during races as well.  I'll just take the top off, dump a cup in, and keep going.

For my really long training runs, I stash a cooler on the route, and stick a full bottle in.  Simple switch during the run.

LOL! I'm the opposite - anything in my hands while running drives me to the brink of insanity.  And I've never had an issue with my arms hitting the bottles myself.

I personally use the single, large bottle style like in the attached link:

http://www.shop.runningroom.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_15_407_466&products_id=63&languages_id=1

I spin it around so that the bottle is in my lower back and doesn't interfere with my arms.  Works great for me and cools your back during hot runs.

I was thinking of switching to the 4 bottle fuel belt so the weight was more evenly distributed, but was worried that it would interfere with my arms.

Scott

I was a huge skeptic about hydration belts in the past, but broke down and tried out the Amphipod belt this summer when I was doing a bunch of running in hot/dry places without water fountains. I'm now a convert. I find it pretty easy to run with the Amphipod, as long as it's tight around the hips. I would not normally race in it, but I did use it for a pair of 9-mile legs in a Ragnar Relay that I did recently, and it worked out surprisingly well for that. I find the bottle gripping mechanism on the Amphipod to be super easy to use.

aqua belt in training for long days yes.  For race day no. No. No. No.  There are aid stations every 1.5-2mis.  You will not be between them and need a sip of water/fuel.  I promise you.

That being said, I use Amphoid with the 2 bottles.  I like that you can move them around on your back for best location.  Be careful about snapping them in and out...they have a tendincy to pop out if not in all the way.  For a 1/2 M run training all you need is 2 bottles, one sip every mile and you are golden.  I have moved on to the 12oz handheld.  LOVE IT.  Better than having that 24oz bouncing around my waist.

+1

I also wear the belt low on my hips  so I don't hit it with my arms.  Some people wear their belts really high and I don't know how they do it...

I don't wear this belt for races - I use a SPI which is pretty much just a race number belt with a very small pouch where i keep my car key and Endurolyte pills. It also has tabs to keep that 1 Gel I usually have for a half-marathon around the 45 min mark.

Anyone used a Simple Hydration bottle? Seems like a good idea, but I wonder how much it would bounce around. My gut bounces around enough.  

http://www.simplehydration.com/