Sunday, July 19, 2015

The CamelBak Will Be Back

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!  Saturday was our typical lake day.  It was just the two of us and so very hot at 100 degrees.   I was in the water enough to be fairly comfortable but the lake itself was 89 degrees.  That's just nasty warm.  I asked Popo to take a picture from his viewpoint.  Pretty interesting.  We stopped at our favorite oyster bar (again) on the way home.  I ate Oysters Rockefeller while he ate his oysters raw.

Objects in mirror are YOUNGER than they appear!  Ha ha.

I tried hard to get out the door early for my Sunday long run.  It just didn't happen.  I was tired from skiing and fell back to sleep for a while.  My shuffle decided to die and that, along with other inconveniences, pushed me even later.  The forecast was for 100 degrees again and it was already 80 at 6:30 when I finally left home.   


Wanting a flatter route, I was determined not to loop around my house.   I decided to try the CamelBak Popo gave me for Christmas.  Unfortunately, I have this awful habit of making up my mind about something before I try it.  {This thing will drive me nuts!  What a waste of money!}


The reservoir holds 50 ounces but I only filled it with 34.  That's all the Gatorade Endurance I had mixed and chilled.  There are two pockets on the back.  One is large enough for a water bottle but I didn't want that extra weight.  The other zips and it's where I stored my GU, salt caps and phone.  It is easy to reach by pulling on the tab at the top.



After getting used to the initial weight and slight sway, I discovered...I like my CamelBak!  The great thing is, as you drink of course it gets lighter!  I was wearing a tank and the straps were sitting right against my skin.  I experienced no rubbing whatsoever, even in that heat!  It buckles in one place...high across the chest and very comfortable.  The spout was easy to drink from.  You bite down slightly and the liquid flows.  The hose and spout tuck away when not in use.  I have never liked carrying handheld bottles or having anything around my waist so this is an ideal solution for me.



I ran on the rural road behind our neighborhood.  The Gatorade was gone by mile 10 and I finished my run in the park where I could drink from the water fountain.  It was as tough and hot as you can imagine, but I managed to run 12 miles (and sprinkled in some walking for a total of 14).

Once home, I took my usual plunge.  However, when the water is 92 degrees -- it's not as refreshing as it sounds.


Have you tried running with a CamelBak?


What's your favorite hydration method?






I'm linking up with Tara who is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.  
Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.





37 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that you like your camelbak! I'd be worried about it being uncomfortable and if it chaffed. I haven't tried one but might get a hydration pack when I venture into finally doing a marathon. Right now I am happy with my Simple Hydration bottle on my long runs.

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    1. I expected it to chafe and couldn't believe when it didn't, especially with the 7 pounds of sweat that left my body.

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  2. I've always wanted to try one, but they are so pricey! I'd be afraid of rubbing in all the wrong places,lol!

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    1. I think this is a Mini Mule (I cut the tags off and I don't remember). It's smaller and not as pricey. But, I wouldn't have bought it for myself. I'm cheap that way. LOL. I was shocked it did not rub. That's one of those things I have already decided it would do.

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  3. Oh, my gosh...you are SO right about the weather. I started my long run on Saturday at around 5:45 am and it was already getting hot(ter) by the time I finished. Ugh. I've definitely started using my hydration vest (I have a Nathan brand one) for longer runs (over 10 miles); I feel better knowing I have enough hydration to get through the run and not feel like I have to ration it out. Great job getting it done, girl - woo hoo! Thanks so much for linking up with the blog; hope your Monday is going well!

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    1. I definitely keep using this for long runs. I'll just have to remember to make enough Gatorade to fill it up! I'm going to need all 50 ounces in these conditions. I do hope we get a little break soon. Even for Dixie, it's hotter than normal.

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  4. I have a few variants of a camelbak. A Nathan system I use for trail running and long runs in the summer. And an Osprey pack that is intended for mountain biking. Usually for short runs or races I'll use a waist belt or a handheld. Wow, the pool water is warm! I swam in an 83 degree lake for my tri yesterday. Felt good for a few minutes but it was very warm once you started swimming.

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    1. I haven't heard of the Osprey pack. A handheld really bother me when my hands are sweaty. I end up constantly switching it back and forth. I can handle it better when it's cool. 83 degrees would be very warm if you are swimming.

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  5. I've never tried a camelbak because I had the same concerns! It's good to know that you didn't feel any chafing or discomfort.

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    1. I was truly amazed the straps didn't rub even on bare skin. The underside of the backpack is soft and padded too.

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  6. My best handheld is a Publix water bottle, which I can crush as I drink because the plastic is so thin. I swear. Of the ones I've purchased, I like my Amphipod the best. But when my hands are sweaty, it drives me nuts. I was simply amazed the CamelBak did not chafe.

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  7. I've always wanted a CamelBak so badly. I'm used to carrying a backpack with a camera in it so it HAS to be lighter then that :)

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    1. You'd love it! The weight of your fluid would probably feel like nothing compared to a camera. And, this smaller one is super comfy.

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  8. I haven't tried a camelback before. Anything over 4 miles I take my hand held and so far that is working for me. Nice view of you on the water skis! That is one of my least favorite things to do much to my hubby's dismay! Good job on getting those hot sweaty miles in!

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    1. Waterskiing is one of my favorite things to do much to my hubby's dismay! He has always been gracious enough to humor me and pull me around countless times...when I'm sure he'd rather be doing something else.

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  9. Right now I use handhelds.

    I, too, like almost everyone I talk to, was sure I'd hate it. But I discovered I liked it better than my trusty Amphipod belt (which I did use for years).

    I've heard really good things about the Camelbaks; everyone seems to love them. I, too, am just sure I wouldn't. But then again I love to try new things. Maybe someday. This was a very expensive month.

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    1. It's probably something I would never have thought to buy for myself. It's the smaller one and not as pricy some of the others. I would constantly be refilling my handheld in this heat.

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  10. I'm so happy to read this review of the camelbak because I have been struggling with how to hydrate on my long runs. I have a fuel belt but I hate it so much and fight with it for most of the miles I run with it. I have steered clear thus far because I'm afraid the movement from the backpack will bother me. I think I have to get one!

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    1. This was incredibly easy to drink from. I had to get used to the sway of the liquid, but the movement of the backpack was minimal. The sloshing noise was pretty loud but as long as my music was playing, I was OK with it. This is the smaller version -- but I think it would be adequate if you filled it completely plus you could put a bottle in the pocket.

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  11. I"m pretty jealous that you got to ski again. I haven't gone yet this summer! WTH?

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    1. OMG. You need to work on that. It's an unwritten rule around my house that we go every summer weekend if the weather is nice. I get such a small window of opportunity anyway. I have a wetsuit but just can't make myself when the water is cold.

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  12. I am going to look into one of these! I'm so glad to hear it doesn't rub (in all the wrong places) lol. My handheld just don't even cut it in this heat even at 5:45AM! Ahhh every single day is closer to cooler temps I got to keep reminding myself that.........

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    1. I was fully expecting some chafing. Nope. When my hands are sweaty, I will switch a handheld back and forth, back and forth. It drives me nutty. With a CamelBak, my hands can just drip sweat freely. LOL.

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  13. Wow, glad you got so many miles in during this heat! I have a camelbak hydration belt that I wore during my first marathon. I ended up stopping twice for a potty break becaause the belt was pushing on my bladder falsely making me feel like I had to "go". After the second false alarm my sister had enough an decided to take the belt off my hands!..lol We didn't have to stop anymore after that!

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    1. Oh, no! I wouldn't like that feeling at all. Aren't you glad she took it from you?

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  14. I have a hydration pack too. Not a Camelbak but comparable. I REALLY prefer it over my four-flask fuel belt that's worn around the waist, but... I HATE the cleanup of the the bladder and tubing after I use the backpack style one. That's just sheer laziness talking, but it really does keep me from using it more often!

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    1. The opening for the bladder is huge, so the cleanup isn't too bad. Finding a place to hang it up to dry was the worst thing. I don't know how you wear a belt with 4 bottles!

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  15. I have a Nathan hydration pack and mostly use it for cycling or long runs. Another thing I like about it in the summer is the extra cooling it provides.

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    1. I noticed that too. I need to add ice on my next long run! That would feel wonderful...for a while anyway.

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  16. 100 degrees! I think 70 is crazy hot! I give you so much credit for running in that kind of heat & humidity. I've never tried a camelbak but good to know that it's comfortable & doesn't cause chafing. A carry a bottle but it's usually never enough & I run out.

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    1. In this heat, I need all the fluid I can get. If I fill it to capacity and put a bottle in the pocket as well, it would hold 66 ounces. It would be heavy but it would last a while.

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  17. CamelBaks are those type of things I decide about without actually using it. I'm glad to hear it didn't move because that's my main concern. I don't like holding a water bottle while running either so... maybe?

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    1. There's a slight motion of the fluid itself back and forth but I got used to that pretty quick. I'll add there is sloshing noise you would hear if you don't listen to music. The pack itself was stable and comfortable.

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  18. I do hike in one of these. But I have never ran in one. I think I think the same way you used to, and thought it would just be an annoyance. But I am glad it worked so well for you!
    If I ran a Ultra where I had to carry my own water I would totally run in one, it's good to know, no chaffing as that would be my biggest fear!
    My hydration method, is going out just before or the night before and dropping water bottles off in hidden locations, if I go on a long run and need them. Otherwise I sometimes just make someone carry my water and follow me on a bike or follow me via vehicle, LOL poor them, my parents have been awesome to do that for me all these years. When I marry, I totally will make the lucky husband to be do it to, LOL LOL I will tell him after:) might be smarter that way haha.

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    1. I don't think I would want to run with it a race that had adequate fluid stops. I like feeling FREE. I'm thinking that If you train with a pack, it would automatically feel easier on race day anyway. That would be a awesome perk. Glad to see you back.

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  19. Thanks for talking about the Camelbak. I am the same way about making my mind up about things before trying it so I appreciate your candid description! I hope you see a little bit of relief from the heat!

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    1. Wow, this heat is killing me! I'm trying to stay positive -- but it is hard. I will continue to use this on my long runs.

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