Day 3, Week 5: Fitletic Hydration Belt Review: Just the right amount of squeeziness

My knees decided that the workout today would be weights.

Unimpressed dog wants to go running, not watch me
stupid pose

We did Cathe's Ramped Up Upper Body again because all those knees had to do was sit there on top of my shins and look pretty.  My knees aren't usually this whiny or dictatorial about what workouts I do, but that marathon Sunday really did a number on them.  That's because I'm doing way more outside running than I normally do, and all the pounding on actual pavement rather than on a nice cushiony treadmill is throwing them off their normal running game.  That's OK though-those knees are eventually just going to have to shut up and deal.

But you know what I can't shut up about?  How well that Fitletic 12 oz hydration belt performed this weekend.

Like I said before, I had some pretty bad experiences with hydration belts in the past.  These experiences have usually ended with many, many swear words, some of which I made up on the spot. But after wearing this Fitletic belt for three races over the weekend, I have much to rave about.

So here's a breakdown of the awesome:

• Not once did it ride up to transform into a bra.  
• The neoprene pouch kept my phone nice and dry during the last four miles of rain.
• Bib holders - for when you accidentally drop all of the pins they gave you in the trash can full of coffee grounds.
• The water bottles didn't feel excessively heavy when both were full.  In fact, it was kind of awesome to have water whenever I wanted to gel and not be at the mercy of where the aid stations were on the course.
• After about 5 minutes of trying to figure out how the water bottles actually dispensed water and realizing they were held in the belt by a loop I had to remove first, I found the squeeziness of the bottles strangely satisfying.
• I never once smacked the water bottles with my crazy flailing runner arms. (Although I kept smacking the bib pinned to the front of me with my left thumb.  Figure THAT one out.)

Here's the not-so-awesome:

• I felt like a total gunslinger when I wasn't running but had the belt on.  Why is this bad?  Because I kept whipping out one of the water bottles and screaming THIS IS A STICK-UP GIMME YOUR WATER AND GELS which other people found highly annoying.
• The price is pricey (around $40.00).  But I think it's worth it to get a hydration belt that doesn't completely suck.

If you couldn't tell by now, I completely approve of this hydration belt.  It will definitely be going with me on longer runs or runs where I just want to enjoy the squeeziness of the water bottles.


Post is over!  Time for Learnings!

1. I didn't really lift weights in that dress.  In case you were wondering.
2. I just hate belts that try and be bras during a run.  So annoying.
3. I find pretending to hold up other runners for their water and gels hilarious.  Others...not so much.
4. I bet you didn't realize that "squeeziness" of water bottles was a thing, did you?  It is with me, buddy.
5. I could have rotated that picture of the hydration belt on my counter so it was horizontal, but I was just too lazy to do that tonight.

Tomorrow's workout: The schedule says 6 x 800m repeats, but it's not the boss of me!  Oh, who am I kidding-I am a complete slave to the training plan.