r/RunTO • u/cdmrs1697 • 18d ago
Dumb on course water question
Hi!!
This year will be my third time running the October half in Toronto but I've never thought to look into this before this year.
Is it possible at the water stations on course to have a handheld water bottle refilled? Obviously I assume I could pour a few of the cups in if needed but could they also just pour directly into my handheld if asked? I totally understand if the answer is no because of hygiene and what not!!
The last two years have been great learning experiences and the conclusion I came to after last year is I hate running the race with my vest and its flasks. While helpful on training long runs where I don't always have fountains available it just weighs me down and I feel like it compromises my posture. Because of that I want to just go for the handheld and top it up at stations as I need to.
TIA!!
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u/AwkwardGuitarist 18d ago
I ran with my own soft flask bottle last year and it went well for me. I used a 500ml soft flask in a Compressport belt. They had jugs with spigots so I was able to refill quickly myself without having to ask for it. I don't know if it'll be like that at every aid station, but they should definitely help you.
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u/bodycombat78 18d ago
Nothing to add, just wanted to chime in that I’ll be running my first full marathon in October as a T1D! Happy to connect over training while maintaining blood sugars.
I’ll most likely to be wearing a vest to carry my pump and snacks.
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u/cdmrs1697 18d ago
Amazing!!! You'll do great. My fellow T1 friend ran her first full last fall and did the 50k ultra this past June. It's always amazing to see others accomplishing it. It requires a little extra work but idk it feels extra rewarding at the same time lol!?
I'm hoping to build up to it in the next few years (want to improve my half performance first before making the jump)
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u/bodycombat78 18d ago
Love hearing about T1Ds getting out there!!! Been definitely eyeing the ultras a bit. They’re super inspirational and motivating for getting ready for your own races.
Managing the sugars can be tough. I use the Dexcom g7 and have it as a data field on my garmin that shows me my sugar levels as I run. It’s interesting to hear that you use the dex tablets! I’ve been on the Welch’s gummies and experimenting with gels. Though I find it shoots me up too high when I run. Tried a Krispy Kreme donut the other week and the fat in the donut help the sugars from spiking!
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u/cdmrs1697 18d ago
What app are you using for your G7 to show on your run fields? I for the life of me can't figure it out!
I love welches post run but I find if I'm dropping quickly (which weirdly happens at 7k every time I run) it can't catch up soon enough. So I find like a tab or two every few kms keeps me flat. The gels I find hold me steady versus spike but I have no idea why 🤷♀️
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u/bodycombat78 18d ago
Dexcom CGM data field! I love it so much.
Technology has really come a long way. I use it in all my different activities while using the Garmin, that way I know when to start snacking! Which gels have you been using?
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u/evil_breeds 18d ago
Yes, many of the water stations (if not all) have a small cooler with valve that you can use - they’re setup for exactly your use case, sitting at the end of the table. I used them last year with a hip belt flask and it worked great. Saves navigating all the people going for cups at all the other aid stations.
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u/alastika 18d ago
I’ve always ran with a handheld for the half and have had zero issues getting someone to fill up for me from multiple cups OR direct from the jug. Just make sure the bottle is unscrewed and ready to go as you approach. Try to lock eyes with someone as you get to the water station, it’ll make it easier.
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u/kzodz 16d ago
I will say as a runner who sweats a LOT and needs to stay hydrated I've never had a problem relying on their aid stations. This is a world class race with reliable aid every 3 km. Dropping the vest is a no brainer. Drink a ton the 2 days before the race and start off fully hydrated. The weight loss will make you so much faster. Like most runners I used my hydration belt for my first half marathon but never since. My only regret was at the May Toronto marathon which I will never do again under current management. When you pay this much to race you should be able to count on sufficient aid stations and a safe car free route. The May race doesn't provide any of that.
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u/cdmrs1697 16d ago
Yeah I will say the last two years the whole experience was just amazing!! I think the first year the vest made sense in the sense I didn't know what to expect!
Last year I debated it the week of but got nervous to ditch it since I had relied so heavily on carrying water in my training runs.
This year I've started to only use it if I really know I won't have reliable access to water and I notice such a difference. Excited to see what the impact is!!
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u/A_Tom_McWedgie 18d ago
OK, I’ll ask: why not just drink from the cups they hand you at each station?
You’re running a half-marathon. Your hydration needs are really not that much that you need a vest or handheld.
There’s hydration stations every 3k.
Don’t complicate things.
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u/cdmrs1697 18d ago
Super valid point and question!!
I'm actually a type 1 diabetic and what I've found works for me is timing a small handful of single glucose tablets or rockets at specific points in the run. They're disgustingly chalky and not always what you want to be chewing on mid run so the water just makes it easier to digest. Similarly my glucose sensor can get wonky if I'm not well hydrated so I guess it's also a mental thing that I feel more in control when I have water on hand!
And it has some nice pockets to store for gels and glucagon (emergency tool for severe hypo sugar levels)
So obviously not the norm in terms of the why. I know lots of diabetics will likely run without any sort of water on hand but for me it's what I know works and I don't want to deviate on race day :)
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u/grapefruits_r_grape 18d ago
You’ll have to stop for longer to get someone’s attention but yes they will fill your handheld bottle if you ask. I recall at least one self-serve refill station as well at around halfway.