Had To Have It; The Hydration Vest Arrived

I live in Florida, so you’ve already figured this out. It’s hot here. And it’s oppressively humid. It’s boil-the-brain-cells-then-squash-them-flat-them-flat kind of weather.

I was carrying a 16-ounce handheld bottle of ice and water on my runs, and figured out that after a four-mile run, that’s nowhere near enough of either. So I broke down, did my research, made the measurements, and bought a hydration vest.

It’s a pretty lavender shade with yellow piping, it’s lightweight (about four ounces empty), and holds one and a half liters. I can mix ice and water in the bag and find that it works well. My phone, jelly beans, and keys fit into the vest. Most importantly, my hands are free, which is safer for me in terms of balance and the ability to defend against any attacker.

I resisted the hydration vest for the longest time. But the ability to get one fitted just right was what changed my mind. Well, that, along with days over 90 degrees. I am aware that some major races, such as the Marine Corps Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and the NYC Marathon, do not allow vests for security reasons. I’m not running those; this is for my health and proper hydration. It’s also valuable for trail running, since there’s no water station to refill a bottle on most trails. I don’t honestly know how many miles I could run in a hydration vest. I’m going to try for seven miles tomorrow, and figure out if I’m still hydration vest-happy or hassled by then.

The kit just keeps getting bigger. But it’s OK. I’d still rather be working out than sitting on the couch.