8 HACKS FOR CARRYING FUEL ON LONG RUNS - How to carry gels & water while marathon training

With spring marathons just around the corner and the long runs getting longer each week, you might be starting to wonder just how you're supposed to carry all the gels and water you need to get you through your long training runs. Today we're talking about all the different ways you can carry your fuel plus a few extra ways you might not have thought of. Enjoy!

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Links from the video

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:27 Running pack / hydration vest
2:33 Waist pack / band / belt
3:08 Clothing
3:59 Bike support
4:35 DIY aid station
5:16 Drinking fountains
5:36 Stop at a shop
5:51 Enter a 20 mile race

[bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

a clothing tip i use for shorter races- say 1/2 mara and lower is to wear a cycling top. They can be quite form-fitting, so aerodynamic; have a zipper on the front to help regulate body temperature and you get 3 pockets in the back to store gels and even a soft flask.

[charliesmith]

This couldn't have come at a better time! Doing my first marathon next month and actually never fuelled whilst running before, finally getting around to trying and you've solved my problem without even trying!

Thanks for all the happy inspiring content, you're definitely helping me fall in love with running even more :)

[fatrunner]

I wear my hydration vest and always run past a supermarket around halfway through which means I can use the toilet and get extra water. It's a life saver as I often do my long runs early in the morning.

[ianlowe]

Had a camalbak vest with bladder for years and it’s still like new. Got pair of decathlon trail shorts that have enough pockets to carry 2 150mm soft flasks, gels, keys etc and they only cost £25 ! But if fancy free run got water bottles with gels taped to them hidden all over the place ( just have to remember where 🤷🏼‍♂️) great tips Ben thank you. 👏👏

[albertcatala]

This has been a critical issue for me. I have been using a waist band for several marathons but it has always been very uncomfortable for me! Now I stuff my gels in my running sleeves. 3 on each sleeve. Although it is not 100% comfortable yet.

[thesecretrunner]

I’ve been using a Fitletic belt with two bottles (I think it’s called Hydra 16) for over a year for long runs, half marathons and marathons, and absolutely love it. It was a bit of trial and error to get it to sit comfortably at first, but once that was sorted, it carries my phone, keys and 3-4 gels (as well as the water/energy drink in the bottles) and I forget it’s there. I also tend to carry chews and electrolyte tablets in my TCA shorts pockets, which works well for me.

Good tips as always Ben, thanks. And if anyone is interested, there is a 20M race in Milton Keynes this Sunday 12 March (part of the MK Festival of Running) - entries still open (close on Sat I think) 🏃🏻‍♂️👍

[mattb]

Decathlon marathon shorts are brilliant. So many pockets and comes with a naked band lining

[johnnylineham]

I got a decent running belt from Lululemon. I'm marathon training at the moment so I can fit 3 or so gels in it, and an empty soft bottle/flask. A trick a friend recently told me is to pre-fill the soft flask with your electrolyte powder (the same that will be available in the race) but then just fill it up at drinking fountains. I'm in Christchurch NZ and there aren't heaps of those in the hills where I'm training but there are some so I can kind of plan my route knowing where they are. Works really well, and means my belt isn't super bulky with all the water.

[pedrob]

Great stuff, yet again! Hydration bag for me! The gear you can fit in one bag is insane! Keep up the great content!

[nmmerri]

My partner sewed an internal pocket inside the back of my 2XU shorts which is really good and I also have a flex-belt type thing. Both are great for supported races where you don't need to carry your hydration. For longer, unsupported/trail runs, I cannot fault the Decathlon Evadict 15l ultra pack.

[kalvin.]

I have the Salomon Adv Skin 12 vest for the maximal loadout if I need it or am going for a while out.

Next would be the Rabbit Shredder shorts as they have a built in flip-belt for plenty of storage.

After that most shorts I have at least a pocket or two, and I can carry a bottle while running if I need hydration

[leslie]

T8 sherpa shorts have an integrated waistband belt with many storage compartments similar to your salomon waistband. The shorts also have race bib holders built in which is epic.

[Something]

I bought a really great hydration vest at Decathlon here in Canada for very little money. It's great value!

[peterterstege]

For training I use a Salomon vest. On raceday I use the Freebelt Pro from Compressport. I also put some liquidgels in a smal softflask so I don't have to take a whole gel in one time.

[KyleScott]

One thing I did when I was training for a marathon, before I got injured, though I do not recommend it in populated areas; I stashed water bottle+energy gels in bushes/known locations the night before my run. I would run early in the AM so they were still cold and no one stole them or tampered with them. This is the best bet, if you do not have a pack or way for someone to help you during your training. Currently I am focused on TM training, so I just keep everything in the treadmill compartments. It's come quite handy!

[Adamnealvelez]

Thanks to someone’s (Ben’s) great suggestion, I got a Naked band and love it!

[martinturner]

I recently picked up a pair of the men's half tight shorts on Vinted for £2 and they immediately became my favourite shorts! Bought a full price pair straight after as I did find a men's half tight on decathlon;

[seekingUltraNick]

Great video once again, Ben! I also like Salomon hydration vests. Sometimes I’ll even just use my car as an out and back drink stop, so that works well!

[heeby]

Got my first marathon in May and been experimenting. Using a hydration backpack with bladder and the straw dangling down. It’s worked well and don’t feel it’s hurt my paces and trainings so far. I do wonder if it’s worth using or not in a full marathon where there will be water stations? Convenience of drinking when I want but lugging around extra weight for 4 hours…

With the gels I’m flying there and back on a quick turnaround only hand luggage so need to check they will be ok going through airport security!

[paulhanson]

I only just started long runs preparing for London marathon, I do the bottle by hedge and run a 7km lap.
I dislike carrying stuff but bought a Nike waist band for phone and 2 gel pockets. I didn't like it at first but now wear it so the pockets are all at the back and it's ok