Luckily, that did not happen, and I feel a lot more confident about going through them, and I want to share the tips and advice I was given about it. It's a breeze, and kind of a weird mini accomplishment when you do that for the first time.
Water Station Tips:
1. Decide ahead of time if you will get water or not-- if you don't want/ need it, then try to get to the other side of the course, so those who are going through have an easier time. Look at your race route early, so you know when to expect them.
2. Whatever you do, DO NOT STOP to grab your cup! You can slow a little, but unless you know there isn't anyone behind you, keep moving at about the same pace. Just pick a volunteer (usually they hold the cups out for you) and look directly at them (so they know you have your eye on them hah), and reach your arm out a few steps before you get there, and take the cup. After you grab it and get past the station, you can walk (on the side of the course, not in the middle!) as you drink some.
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If there are no volunteers, just grab a cup as you go by, like this!
3. Throw it away after you are done-- if there is a trash can, and you can get to it, use that, but it is totally fine to throw your cup on the ground otherwise, just try to crush it some first, and throw it as far out of the way as you can (not off in the grass, but to the curb) so you or others don't slip on cups! Don't throw it over your shoulder either, no one likes a cup and water in their face-- just drop it from waist height.
Those things are slippery, so try to get them to the trash or curb!
4. Say "thanks" to the person you got water from! They are volunteers usually, and love to help, so show them some love!
5. Pinch the cup so it forms a "V", and pour into your mouth, rather than drinking like a normal cup-- this keeps it from spilling all over you. However, feel free to dump it over your neck/ head if you are hot, but watch out for headphones and other non-waterproof electronics! (I know that from experience...)
Kinda like this, just minus the business formal wear and the anger.
6. Wait until you have passed the aid station before you start drinking, so it keeps the area from getting congested.
7. Don't chug all of the water! Remember drinking a lot as a kid, then jumping around and "sloshing" in your stomach? Yeah, you don't want that during a race.
Plus, some cute little critter might want some! :)
8. If it's a long race, this would be the time to use a gel-- they require water. I would take the gel right before the station, and water right after.
Now, if this still feels really scary, you can bring your own water bottle-- or if you aren't sure if there will be water or aid stations. I like to run without for short distances without any water (if it isn't hot or there are aid stations), but for longer distances I say have some water with you. I use the Amphipod Full Tilt, and I love it, the Hare uses a Camelbak.
I wouldn't try a new fuel belt or water bottle on race day though-- rule number one is always Nothing new on race day!
***Training Update***
We ran one of our first early morning runs today. The Hare's schedule is weird the next couple of weeks, so it's early mornings during the week or no runs (unless we want to run at 1am...I don't in our pitch black neighborhood!)
It was short, but with the race on Saturday we decided to keep it short and simple. It was 6 am, but still 75 degrees with 95 (yes, like 5 less than 100) percent humidity, so it was tough! Maybe I'm just being a baby about getting up early, dunno. Either way, I'm proud of us for doing it!
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Are you a morning or evening runner? Have you ever had to swap temporarily? Have any water station tips? Discuss it below!
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