Pangmatagalan!

Someone asked... "Bro, they said you can run 10K even 15K without hydration? Is this true?"

Here's my answer.

Yes, I can. But I'm not encouraging that you do the same specifically during a race.

I usually do this during training runs so that come race day, when and if water runs out I won't be on panic mode fearing dehydration.

Please do note that during training days, I run on a route where hydration is available. I run where a convenience store is within reach. But I delay the urge of drinking.

I ran the BDM test run with my CamelBak, but I delayed drinking from it. Until Marga stopped me and told me to drink.

But I think the key here is to hydrate before the run. I drink at least 500ml of sports drink before running.

Hydration Tips for Race Organizers (Part 2)

I would like to thank EIRE and an ANONYMOUS friend for this. Their comments gave me the push to make a follow up on my "Hydration Tips for Race Organizers" post.

Eire commented...

"i mentioned in my blog about the ie8 run about pieces of plastic cups strewn about, and how i don't feel so good about that. well, i was thinking, with this idea of yours, once you're done with your water, you can just tuck the empty plastic bag in your pocket or what-have-you, and throw it properly later :D also, plastic bags can carry much more water than cups :P i'm sold to the idea :D"

Sabi nga ni Kris Aquino... "kuuuuurrrek!!!"

In the few races I've joined, I always look at the plastic cups scattered on the road and tell myself... "delikado yun ah!"

I mean, the used cups were scattered and the road is wet. Whenever I get water from the stations, I always slow down. Not because I wont be able to get water if I don't slow down. But because I might step on the cups scattered and I might end up lying on the floor. Angfanget 'di ba? And ang kalat!

Next...

I also saw few races where wet sponges were used to cool-off the runners...
I say, drop it... save the money... use the iced water instead.

Nakakapagod din pala mag-blog...

But for the love of running, here's my idea on how to make this work.

1. Organizers should invest on at least 3 large plastic ice tub coolers per water station. This will be a one time investment and can/will be used on other races.


2. Prepare the "iced water" to be (because it's not yet cold) a day before the race.



3. On race day, at least 1 hour before gun start. Put in position the ice tubs. Fill half of it with "iced water". Then cover it with ice. The water should be cold by the time the runners reach the water stations.

ta-dah!!!

another "AHA!!!" moment?!?

Yes, just when I thought that I already imparted a crazy idea that could revolutionize runs. Another one came up.

But, I'm still thinking about it if I really have to impart this "next" idea of mine.

It's very close to the HYDRATION TIPS post, that's why I'm still having second thoughts.

Decisions... decisions...

Hydration Tips for Race Organizers

An "AHA!!!" moment came up to me the other day.

While reading different running blogs about their not so great experience during BOTAK PAA-RUSA... este BOTAK PAA-TIBAYAN race. I asked myself, how the *#!& does these race organizers compute how much they would spend on the hydration of a race???

BALDRUNNER gave me a very clear idea about it in his blog post. Thanks, General!!!

But maybe, some race organizers feel like not really spending for the runners hydration.

But...

What if I tell you that my "AHA!!!" moment will cost race organizers less than 2,000 petot per 500 runners?

What if I tell you that my "AHA!!!" moment has a very PINOY feel into it?

Will you give me a hug if and when you see me? :)

Okay.. enough with the suspense... pati ako na-e-excite...

Kids... I present to you the good old fashioned yet very effective...

ICED TUBIG!!!

it's iced tubig, you know???

Don't laugh... I'm serious about it.

If you saw me carrying an Iced Tubig during that race, you might have traded your I-pod for it.

Okay then, maybe not.

I'll just slow down and wait for you to collapse. And then I'll get your I-pod... and your shoes... =)

Just kidding...

But think about it. This will save you the hassle of pouring water on cups during races. Less mess. You just have to half fill them with water before the race. Position them at water stations before the race starts. Water you get from wherever, we runners don't care.

But then again you have sponsors for these, right? You can even put Gatorade or PowerAde or Rush or VitWater, you know?!?

And you just have to fill half of it, so that it will be easy to hold. And light enough to throw at them hecklers.

The only problem is the te-ma-arts.

te-ma-arts: Ewwwww... what's that? You think i'll drink from that yucky plastic tubig?
rod.runner: Ay lech... dagukan kita diyan eh.

Now for the computation. Get your pens & papers... this will get intense.

Let's make an example based on a full marathon which will need 20 water stations.

So if you have the following:

num_of_runners = 500
num_of_stations = 20

cost_of_plastic = P10/100 pcs
cost_of_plastic = P0.1 per piece (based on Aling Loleng's tindahan sa corner)

num_of_container = num_of_runners * num_of_stations
num_of_container = 500 * 20
num_of_container = 10,000

total_cost = num_of_container * cost_of_plastic
total_cost = 10,000 * P0.1
total_cost = P1,000

See?!? P1,000 lang!!!

How many registrants does it take to come up with P1,000?!?!

But please, if in case this will be considered. Don't put Iced Tubig in the freebies.

Okay now... where's my hug? *tissue please... nosebleed*