I recently had a chance to try out Fuel Belt's Crush bottle carrier, in a cheery, bright pink color. When I did my first half marathon, at Marathon of the Palm Beaches back in December, I used one of those hand held water bottle carriers. It was a pain in the butt, I had to keep switching between my two hands, and it kept slipping out of my hand as I started to sweat more, so I had to keep tightening up the strap. Not fun.
Waist Hydration Packs
I've been looking at various hydration systems that let you carry one or more water bottles on your waist. I've seen the systems with the multiple, tiny bottles, but wasn't too interested in that type. I've seen runners using the multi-bottle carriers during a couple of half marathons. The bottles seem to fly all over the place, and how do you keep track of which bottle is full and which bottle is empty.
When I saw the hydration system that carriers a full size water bottle, I knew that is the one I wanted to get. I come from a cycling background, and am used to using full size water bottles. I contacted Fuel Belt, after seeing one of their ads in a running magazine, and had them send me one of their Crush bottle carriers.
ABOVE: Fuel Belt's Crush Bottle Carrier in TNT Purple
Crush Holds a Ton
The Crush Bottle Carrier holds a full size, 22 ounce water bottle, and has a small, zippered pouch which I use to store my driver's license, van key and a gel pack or two, while I'm out on my longer runs. I normally wear the Fuel Belt with the water bottle resting on my back. When I am ready for a drink, I spin the bag around to my right hip, unfasten the bottle, take a drink, then replace the bottle and turn the carrier around to my back. I do a 5:1 run/walk ratio, I'll never be one of those people that can go out and run for miles and miles at a time without taking a break.
I have exercise induced asthma, so a 5:1 or even a 4:2 ratio when I'm doing a half marathon, is about all my lungs can handle without exploding. It's really easy to use the Fuel Belt when I'm taking my walk break. It sure beats that hand held water bottle system I originally got when I first started running.
On my shorter runs, I don't carry water with me. But on half marathons, I would really rather have my own hydration system with me so I don't have to deal with the crazy mobs of runners at the water stops. And the water stops don't have anything I can drink anyways. Plan water does nothing for me, and Gatorade upsets my stomach. Using my own hydration system, such as the Crush bottle carrier, allows me to fill my water bottle up with anything I want.
MotorTabs
I usually place 1 to 1 1/2 MotorTabs tablets in my water bottle, then fill it up with water. MotorTabs are an effervescent electrolyte tablet, which dissolve in water. Read more about MotorTabs on my Bike Diva blog. Well, I guess I'm biased, MotorTabs is one of my sponosrs, so of course I'm going to recommend their product. I am also a MotorTabs Brand Evangelist, check me out on their website when you get a chance.
Additional Details
Fuel Belts Crush bottle carrier has a suggested retail price of $29.95. The Crush is available in black, red, pink or camo. The camo color would be perfect for blending into the woods while out on a trail run. Visit the Fuel Belt website for additional information on their entire line of hydration products.
Fuel Belt is also an official partner of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. Fuel Belt makes an entire line of products which sport the TNT logo. The Crush bottle carrier is also available in TNT purple - SWEET!
Valentine's Day Sale
Now through February 14, Fuel Belt is offering a 15% discount on all products. Visit the Fuel Belt website, and enter code Valentine15 when checking out.
Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Run Diva
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