One of the most popular posts on the blog is the 6 Day Race Day Preparation Guide which gives you one simple task to handle each day in the week leading up to your race or event. Essentially, I wrote it for myself as a way to get organised, ensure I cover all my bases and then have something to refer to each and every time I race which could also be updated with feedback shared with me!
I’m expanding that guide just a little in the run up to my next Half Marathon which will be Hackney Half Marathon on Sunday 8th May. But this topic, hydration, pertains not just to race day or running, but to all sports and for everybody each and every day!
“Friday: Start Getting Hydrated”
Try your best to increase your fluid intake from today onwards. This will help your energy levels in the lead up to race day and keep you well hydrated! You have plenty of options including water (love me some sparkling), Vita Coco Water plus your tea and coffee counts too (although they can be dehydrating in large quantities and try to keep sugar to a minimum).
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has set myself the goal of drinking my 8 cups of water per day only for it to trail off into the abyss of well meaning intentions…?! Hydration has been at the forefront of my mind since I competed a challenge with BRITA all the way back in January of 2014!
As part of that challenge I was given a BRITA Fill&Go bottle and I can honestly say I have had one by my side ever since! …In this post, I’ll share with you how I’ve been using it as part of my training and not just daily life!
Where To Buy Your BRITA Fill&Go || Amazon UK* || Boots*
Running: Can you tell when you are dehydrated on race day?! …For me, the run will feel uncomfortable, I will feel fatigued and usually have an awful headache. At this point, it’s a little too late to fix it, hence why I highlight race day hydration a couple days before you are on the start line.
Training: I don’t often carry water if my runs are less than an hour. Anything above that, you can either a) run a loop and leave your bottle somewhere safe (i.e home, with a friend) or b) carry some loose change and stop at a shop.
These days, I’m a little more conscious of the environment so love the Fill&Go as it’s reusable. Each filter disk can filter 20 litres of water, saving 40 plastic (500ml) water bottles and the plastic is also BPA free. All meaning that you save on bottled water, which reduces the output and waste of plastic.
Post Exercise: Don’t forget hydration as part of your post exercise recovery routine too! I always feel like it’s helping to flush toxins / lactic acid out of my body and keeping me energised! It’s also best to sip water at regular intervals rather than consuming large amounts in one go!
Elle
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