First Half Marathon Hydration/Nutrition question

Each person has their preference.  I don't like the belt or the pack on my back etc..  I'll carry a water bottle in one hand for longs runs, it doesn't bother me.  In colder temperatures I can do easy runs up to 10 miles w/o fuel or hydration (85-90 minutes).  As it warms up, hydration becomes more of a factor.

If this is your first 7 miler, I'd bring water just in case.  It is during these long runs where you learn about yourself.  What I do in preparation for long runs is to hydrate well and get some fuel in 1-2 hours before.

I think Fuelbelt makes the product with 4 small bottles on a belt  Camelbak makes some hydration products as well.

This is my first 7 mile run.  I was running 5 miles 4 times a week, then found out about this race (local).  I decided to sign up for motivation to increase my distance.  The 6 mile run was the first of our weekly "long" runs and was fine, I just wasn't sure what the magic number was.  It sounds like it varies person to person.  Maybe I'll try carrying water by hand and then buy a belt if needed.  We go first thing in the morning, so I'm asleep 1-2 hours before.

It partly varies by individual, but it varies massively by season/location. Right now, in the Maryland winter, I can happily go 13 miles without hydration, and it's no problem at all. In the summer months, it's a whole different game. Then I plan my runs to go past places where I know there are water fountains and/or I carry a hydration belt. I have a 4-bottle belt by Amphipod that I really like - the bottles clip in/out really very easily. Before I started using it last summer I was extremely skeptical of running with a belt, but I came to really appreciate it. 

Up to half marathon distance you really shouldn't need to worry about gels, etc. You can eat something an hour beforehand, and refuel afterwards. Your body can't burn through its fuel supplies in that distance. But in hotter weather it's a good idea to make sure that you're getting electrolytes somehow.

I don't see your location and that would make a big difference. But I suppose that I am the worst case scenario as I train in tropical heat. I normally don't take liquids along for runs under 50-60 minutes, unless it's unusually hot even for here (as in high 90's or triple digits) or I feel I might be starting low on fluids due to a previous workout (i.e. if it's a bike-run brick).

For 60-90 minute runs, I take about 500ml of water with a Nuun tablet (electrolyte drink) in a hydration belt. Some prefer handhelds or Camelbacks; but I have one model (no longer produced, and my current one's falling apart) that fits really well and is comfortable. For runs over 90 minutes, I take two half-liter bottles.  But it is always at least 80 degrees here, even at 5 AM! In cooler weather (Oregon) I run up to 75 or 80 minutes without liquids. For my longest HM training runs (around 2 hours), I take one gel to have at about 1:15. Never did this in the past and probably not necessary, but I find it improves my feelings of well-being, esp. if it has caffeine!  If you are within the two-hour range for long runs and the race itself, you probably don't need more than that, although some people take more. Definitely experiment with this well before the race.

As others have said, it varies from person to person.

Personally, for anything over an hour, I try to shoot for 10-15 oz/hour of water (more in the summer), and 150ish calories an hour.  Just my thing.  And I carry a belt.  In training, I make sure there are water stops along the way.

ETA: I should add that I usually weigh 130-135.

Your glycogen levels supply around 1800 calories of energy, so you really don't need a gel or other nutrition for a workout under two hours.

As for hydration, it can vary by individual sweat rates, weather, humidity, etc. I generally do runs of 1.5 hours (12 miles or so) or less without any hydration. On longer runs I'll use a FuelBelt in warmer weather and a Camelback in colder temps (the water won't freeze as quickly as on my FuelBelt). I also tend to do warmer weather runs on a bike path that has water fountains, so I then don't have to carry the extra weight of a hydration system.

As long as you are properly hydrated prior to your longer runs and you are going at the proper pace, you probably won't need any hydration.

x a million