When you’re training for a marathon, there’s a lot to think about! Pacing, nutrition, what songs to listen to, recovery, when to poo, etc and hydration is right up there at the top of the list.
On long runs, especially anything 20km plus, carrying enough water can become a real challenge. I have found it reassuring to have a bottle in my hand, but you're wasting energy carrying this bottle, not knowing when to get rid of it.
The reality is, a small bottle tucked into a belt or in your hand works fine for shorter runs, but the further you go, you're going to need something more. That’s where hydration packs (aka camel bags) come into their own.
Most packs are really well designed, and you don't really feel them when you're running. They don’t bounce around like you’d expect, and they come with solid straps and support so they stay snug on your back. Many have extra storage too, which means you can carry gels, your phone, keys, etc without feeling overloaded. For marathon training, I’d suggest looking for a pack with at least a two-litre capacity.
But there are a few things you only really find out once you start running with one. For me, the first surprise came on a longer run at the weekend, around 25k. Without getting into the run itself, it was an out and back and I wanted to have by travel card, phone etc, just in case. As the bag started to empty, the balance shifted slightly. That was fine, but what I wasn’t expecting was the chafing. Those obvious little friction points (yes, the nipples) you don’t notice on a 10 or 12 miler suddenly become very noticeable.
It might sound like a small thing, but comfort over the course of a marathon is everything. If you’re constantly adjusting your pack or wincing every time fabric rubs, it’ll wear you down. The good news is you can prepare for it. A dab of Vaseline or an anti-chafing stick on the hot spots works wonders. Some runners find swapping to a different t-shirt helps too.
The big takeaway? Hydration packs are brilliant tools, and I’d strongly recommend them for long-distance training and racing. But, and it’s an important but train with them. Get used to how they sit, how the weight shifts, and what adjustments you need to make. That way, when race day comes, you’re not finding out the hard way.
Hydration is one of the simplest things to get right, and with a bit of practice, using a pack can make those long runs far more manageable.
