Hi Daisy There are a lot of different ways to carry nutrition and hyrdration. I like this fuel belt: http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/6_bottle.html for runs over 15 miles.. for a shorter longish run, I use my 4 bottle belt. There are also handheld water bottles, single water bottles that fit on the hip (like a fanny pack), and Camelbacks, which you wear like a backpack. It really just is personal preference!

For long runs, I usually do a GU every 5 miles (appx every 45 minutes), and follow it with water. I also do watered down Gatorade Endurance.

good luck !

Thanks runningesq! I guess I have to just bite the bullet and buy more running gear

I agree with runningesq. I am not a fan of belts, but like to hold the larger handhelds (two for long runs or do the pack) - good to have water, but I also like to take coconut water with me or sports drink.

I would suggest experimenting with the different brands of gels, gu, sport beans, chews and gummies and see what works best for you. That's what long training runs are for! Some people have trouble with the Gu's (they're really thick and you need a lot of water to wash em down) but some also swear by them. There are also lara bars and some of my friends swear by carrying pb+j sandwiches with em on the long runs. (I wouldn't though!)

Thanks for the tips! This may be a really stupid question...but do you actually stop and walk to eat/drink, or do you keep running the entire time? Hehe...I'm such a n00b

Daisy -- I just stop and eat ... it only takes 10 secconds to suck down an GU and water. during a race I'll walk through an aid station. it really doesn't take that much time !

HI Daisy - I did not use a running belt for Half marathon or Full marathon race. And depending on the course, I may carry just 1 packet of gel. Most of the race will list all the aid stations for you and let you know when they will hand out supplements. eg. My last half marathon gave out gel, but they gave it out at mile 10, and this is too late for me, I need my gel at mile 6, so I carried my own. And a lot of times, I just need to carry one and I just put the gel in my pocket instead of wearing a belt. As for liquid, I stopped by each aid station, and alternate water / Gatorade, and that's enough liquid consumption for me already. If you need to drink more than that, then it will be good to carry a water bottle.
Lastly, good luck for your race!

fitness beans by jelly belly dont seem to require water, i prefer these starting at mile 7. a few chews and they are dissolved. True about supplements on the course.. so you dont need to carry to much on race day

Make sure you like/ can tolerate what's served on the course. I did a HM once that served Amino Vital and I HATED the taste of that stuff ... it, um, came back up at the finish line

Research what type of sports drink and gels they will serving on race day, and practice with those. If your body agrees with them it makes race day so much easier !

I found that the Carb Boom brand gels were a little less thick than some of the others. The Apple Cinnamon flavor was a favorite, and I also liked the Chocolate Cherry flavor (be careful because it does have caffeine).

Although it may seem like a pain to purchase a fuel belt or a handheld water bottle, for the number of miles you're going to run, it will be worth it.

I also agree that you should find out what is served on the course and talk to some people who have run it before. I just finished the Marine Corps Marathon, and they only gave out gels 2 times. Both of the times, the gels they gave out contained caffeine. I was glad I carried my own.

I'm not a "food on the course" runner... it won't stay down. Maybe if I were more competitive I would, but I am not your typical "runner" body type so I think that may have something to do with it. (I'm very efficient!) I have about 200 calories 1.5 to 2 hours before the race and keep it straight up water at least until after mile 5. I'll take one sports drink on the course and make sure I'm following that with a couple of waters. I've only don't the half marathon thus far (full marathon in the spring!) but I expect that I won't do any of that goo stuff on that, either. Straight up sugar really messes with me when I run. So whatever you decide, make sure you practice with it a few times to make sure it's really what you need and doesn't make you toss your cookies when you should be tossing back cold ones at the finish!

I purchased a belt by Nathan that has a one sports bottle. At first I was very hesitant to use it, but it helps and I like it ALOT. I don't use the gels but I always carry a gu with me in case I start lagging. I always make sure to eat a bowl of oatmeal before a long run and that really helps to fuel me.

I hate all hydration belts, but will wear one when I'm out for more than 8 miles. Amphipod makes a 4-bottle belt. You can remove bottles if you don't need all 4, and it comes with a small pouch big enough to carry a few essentials. Plus, the wide mouth bottles are easy to wash.

I don't recommend the 1 bottle fanny pack-type hydration belt. It bounces too much.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone

I agree that fuel belts are a neccessary evil. They tend to upset my belly a little though so I use one that I got from REI that stays in place very well and doesnt bounces around. It carries two bottles so I put Coconut Water in one and Water in the other (I don't like the taste of sports drinks). I also have trouble with Gu's so I will either eat that Hammer gu's that are made with more natural ingredients and lately I have found that fig newtons are great mid run and don't upset my stomach at all.

And on a side note, when it is cold especially, I always run with a washcloth or small towel because my nose runs like crazy!

i like gu gels the best for energy. i just hold them in my hands while running. i ran 2 marathons this way; you just get used to it I guess.