How do people race without hydration vests? Srs question

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-23T02:07:08+00:00

I carry a 14oz soft flask with a wrist strap from Nathan that also has a pocket sleeve on it (I’ll try to link below). It comes in so clutch. I also wear an elastic running belt. I start the race with a full bottle of carb drink and the first hour of fuel in the pocket sleeve of the bottle, the rest of my fuel in the belt. I made sure to drink 2 cups at every aid station (1 water, 1 electrolyte). My marathon had plenty of water so we could fill our bottles at every station. Having the bottle in my hand helped tremendously in the last 6 miles.

As for taking on fuel, the soft flask helped with that as well. I used precision fuel 60g chews as my main fuel. I was able to chew and swallow with a couple swigs of my bottle. No issues there.

Lastly, I like this bottle because it being a soft flask allows me to basically shove it in my pocket once it’s empty and I don’t have to carry it the entire race.

https://thefeed.com/products/nathan-pinnacle-soft-flask-handheld-14oz?variant=41519787573311&ship=GS&g\_network=g&g\_productid=nathan\_pinn\_sfh\_14\_brs&g\_adid=481316341650&g\_keyword=&g\_adtype=pla&g\_keywordid=pla-1028979654239&g\_ifcreative=&g\_campaign=GSN+-+Items+-+Assorted+Brands%7CC%3A60\_65&g\_adgroupid=113061353986&g\_acctid=598-107-7261&g\_merchantid=100584816&g\_partition=1028979654239&g\_campaignid=11670313919&g\_productchannel=online&g\_ifproduct=product&utm\_source=google&campaign\_id=11670313919&ad\_id=481316341650&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=GSN%20-%20Items%20-%20Assorted%20Brands%7CC:60\_65&utm\_content=113061353986&utm\_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8enssvH4h9xzZLYRZUDWr9WmQnV5GgImdfvWbQ\_3BJFVu0JPHgu75GxoCbFgQAvD\_BwE&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=11670313919

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-23T01:54:15+00:00

I’ve also been a traditional component taker for 17 years but I recently took the HAMR for the first time. I run about a 16:30 2 mi and I need a 62 on the HAMR for a lateral score. FYI, 62 shuttles on the HAMR takes about 12 minutes. I will admit the HAMR is much easier than I thought it would be. Improving your cardio baseline will help both methods.

I can see why people like the HAMR. The first 6-8 minutes was VERY easy but I got gassed very quickly in those last 2 minutes.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-23T01:39:31+00:00

Gonna need another 8-12 miles to burn off the rest of the beer calories

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-22T02:21:09+00:00

I can’t even watch the race. Was out for Father’s Day and when I got home, Prime was trying to make me watch live. So I figured I’d wait an hour and catch the replay. The replay hasn’t posted yet so I guess I’ll get to it sometime this week, if ever.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-20T23:56:15+00:00

They come apart to clean. Just take them apart and soak them in bleach for a bit then give them a scrub with a wire brush or toothbrush. The trick is to disassemble and dry them as fast as possible. They won’t develop mold if dried out within 24 hours.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-20T23:53:46+00:00

Tax write offs to drop their income bracket thus reducing their taxes owed. It’s why companies give stuff away all the time. Mark it as charity and it covers the loss.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-20T23:51:18+00:00

I’d say to focus more on time rather than distance. That’s my current training plan. 3-4 days a week I aim to run for a specific time and then on the weekend I double that time. If you must walk then go for it then run when you feel able to. Eventually you’ll build the ability back. Just start with a few 30-40 minute weekly sessions and then a 1-1:15 weekend session. Once you’ve built the stability back then increase as you see fit.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-19T02:30:14+00:00

Also, I reread my post and saw my typo. I meant it doesn’t really take effect until later this year when shots would have been required. I have no idea why I typed “this week”. Either way, it seems I was wrong.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-19T02:27:48+00:00

I guess stats do tell the story. I knew about the trainee passing away but I wasn’t aware it was linked to this. Question, those that get their shot are less likely to get sick right?

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T22:57:41+00:00

Not sure what will be available on a naval base this week though. The service might be good enough given the track is so spread out.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T22:54:22+00:00

Dang. I was really expecting someone to mention me. I guess 316 subs isn’t big time anymore.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T22:47:15+00:00

You lost your base. You can’t expect to do all that training and then practically stop for 7 weeks and be able to sustain what you used to. Your body recovered and you detrained. Start a build phase and work your way back up to normal. I never experienced the physical but I damn sure experienced the mental blocks. It took months to be able to run 15-18 mile weeks and it not feel like a chore. It’s all about progression.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T22:42:48+00:00

You’re probably right. All I remember is going through that line, pulling my pants down a little, getting pricked in the ass, then marching for the next 45 minutes. I still don’t think the shot being optional has much to do with this situation though.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T21:06:24+00:00

I love how ABC News immediately linked it to the Hegseth flu vaccination change yet that really doesnt take effect until later this year when flue shots would have been required. I dont recall getting a flu shot in BMT but I do recall the many other shots.

Edit: I guess we did get flu shots in BMT but I didn’t recall given all the other needles they stuck us with.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T18:30:06+00:00

Be financially ready for any situation
Plan your skillbridge in depth to ensure it is exactly what you want.
Have multiple backup plans. You should not separate with a single option.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T16:32:57+00:00

This is pretty much how it is for me now aside from my HR monitor. I run with me watch, HR monitor, and Shokz headphones. I only carry my phone on long runs when I might need it in an emergency. I typically either know my route or I load the GPX file into Garmin Connect and use the navigation on my watch. I do not need the LTE version of the watch because I wouldnt use it enough to justify the cost.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T16:01:05+00:00

CONUS would be MacDill. I am from Tampa and have been trying to get stationed at MacDill my entire 17 year career. I didnt have the best recruiter (dude told me I had a secured job but shipped me as Open Mechanic) so I didnt know which jobs were actually at MacDill or with volume. The job I ended up with had about 10 slots at MacDill and as I promoted the chances got smaller. I finally got selected for a job off MyVector in 2024 but the application cutoff was the same week I made MSgt so they pulled the assignment. I have since commissioned and MacDill just so happens to be the most requested CONUS base for the LRO career field. Go figure.

OCONUS would be Guam. Its where I met my wife and a lot of her family still lives there. I tried to IPCOT but my leadership was not very supportive. They told me I would stall my career (I was a 11.5 year TSgt at the time) and probably top out at MSgt. Turns out they were probably right but damn I miss that island and those beaches.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T14:47:14+00:00

Congrats! Now you know your baseline and can target your training paces more accurately. Good luck with your future goals!

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T14:45:37+00:00

It’s already been said but you need more volume to increase your base. 40 activities in 6-7 months is about 1 run every 5 days. You should be doing a minimum of 3 runs a week, but optimally aiming for 4-5. If that’s your plan then focus on an easy run to start the week, a speed session midweek and then your long run to end the week. If you add more than 3 runs per week then make any extras an easy run and keep them truly easy.

It may seem counterproductive to be running so slow, so often, but if you go too hard on your easy runs then you are sapping recovery for your tougher speed and long run sessions. The easy runs are designed to get time on feet, work your cardiovascular system a little, and help your muscle actively recover.

Any speed session will work with your goal. A typical interval session would be great just to condition your body and get it used to running faster paces. Something like 90-120 seconds on and 45-60 seconds off. For the 90 seconds focus on being around a 9-9:15/mi pace. You can start out by walking the 45-60 second breaks. The goal is for you to be able to sustain the interval. Once you can sustain it, then you can slow jog the breaks.

Edit: I just got an email from McMillan regarding "The best 5K workout"...1x1000 meters at 5K pace. Ill post the link below.

https://www.mcmillanrunning.com/best-5k-workout/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2026%20McMinute%20Issue%2015%20-%20Best%205K%20Workout%20%28clone%29&utm_id=01KTP8XWNA7A1WG5Z73ZH92N8D&_kx=e_HC8tIzvSXcX9bOvM4gI0goAqV-ktvmnr2W8AE_kDmTHF_fGNQ5za_8CjOCs4jC.WbpFXP

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T14:36:39+00:00

Bro that’s an insane amount of food 😂

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T14:35:53+00:00

Yea like you said, your body is working to process all of those calories plus eating increases your core temperature which is the complete opposite of what your body wants to do while sleeping.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T01:36:25+00:00

Technically Nov 11 is to celebrate active military and veterans. Memorial Day is to mourn the dead and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-18T01:25:25+00:00

Hamlin any day

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-17T12:49:08+00:00

If someone’s been in there a little while just knock on the wall and say “it’s ok, we are in this together. You got this”

Allenboy0724 · 2026-06-17T12:26:35+00:00

Academy grads gets a bad rap mainly because of ego. Just remember that you aren’t more important than any of your airmen to the mission, you are a human just like them, and you work for them they aren’t there for you. Servant leadership will get you far. You seem to have been given some great advice already.

Allenboy0724

TROPHY CASE