Saturday’s run began like any other, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
I felt hot and extra sweaty but knew that the humidity was causing me to sweat more and it was not evaporating like it should.
I was running with a friend who needed to kick it in on the last two miles and so I agreed to try to run faster with her. Despite feeling strong for the first 10 miles, I felt weak when trying to run at a faster pace. My legs felt like they were not working and every step felt like I was dragging.
Mile 11: 7:37
I was concerned that there was no way I could keep up that pace for the last mile. The good and bad about running with a friend is that you feel accountable. I do not want to be the person that falls off the pace. I do not want to give up.
Mile 12: 7:25
I immediately stopped the second I heard my Garmin beep and started dry heaving. This was not the typical end of race feeling that I occasionally get. I had not pushed it in at a 6 or sub 6 minute pace. I was running in the 7′s – which should be manageable.
I bent over, I stood up, I talked, I walked – but I could not shake the feeling that at any moment I was going to yack. It continued for hours after I got home – till it clicked with me.
I was dehydrated AGAIN.
So you are asking, how does a girl who loves nuun, who has been racing for 10+ years keep getting dehydrated? Here’s how….
The average person should drink 8, 8 ounce glasses of water a day or somewhere around that. Now add to the fact that I typically run around 40 or more miles a week causing me to sweat more than the average person, and thus loose more fluids. Then add in the fact that I am a nursing mommy and wait I’m not done, add in the crazy humidity this week which is causing me to sweat more than my already normal super sweaty self does.
I need to drink an INSANE amount of water a day.
Thankfully adding nuun to my water actually makes me want to drink water because I feel as if I am fighting off dehydration every day.
The problem that I have with drinking the correct amount lies in the fact that I am pretty sure my bladder is the size of a lima bean. When I drink enough water I am in the bathroom all day.
How much water do you drink a day? Do you drink nuun? What is your favorite flavor?
Runner, dreamer, marathoner x24, mommy of 3, Women's Running Magazine cover model, published writer, Saucony contributing blogger, running coach, and lover of all things running. I Run This Body. 
Oh NO! Glad you are trying to drink more water. I try to drink at least 3-5 liters of water a day. I have a one liter bottle that I refill often. The only downfall is that I do have to go to the bathroom all the time! I have never tried nuun….I might have too!
I did a ragnar relay race (200 mile relay) this weekend and it was incredibly humid. I was super careful about staying hydrated.
Is Nuun like Gatorade (electrolytes?) If so, my doctor told me when dehydrated (I had the stomach flu) I couldn't just drink Gatorade. At most, he wanted me to cut it in 1/2 with water, but he preferred that I not drink it. When you are dehydrated, your body just needs the water. I had on and off nausea that wasn't gone until I got enough fluids back in, so I know how that feels – miserable! Feel better!
Been there…felt that. Yikes!! I remember nursing and having to drink A LOT more water than normal…and I wasn't running at the time! I try and drink at least 3-4 camelback water bottles during my work shift (but yes, it causes me to pee like 3000 times a day)and limit my sodas to one a day. I'm not a nunn person, I'm not even sure I've ever tried it.
Dorothy, I don't know if you also know about Endurolytes – I will get the technical description wrong, but they help with absorption when you're drinking tons of water (and less expensive than just drinking Nuun). Worth looking into, anyway – I can't handle Gatorade or other sugar-based drinks and these have been a lifesaver through training for multiple marathons and IMs. http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/endurolytes.elt.html
I am loving the lower humidity in DC/NoVa this week, though!
Thanks! I will have to look into it
I could not believe the weather when I walked out of the house this morning – had to walk back in and get a jacket!! Totally made up for the horrible weather last week 
/i have never tried NUUN
I drink about 12 glasses…that is still not enough for me. I get dry heaves all the time. My last race It was pretty bad, I even have pics of it on my blog thanks to my husband who captures every "good" moments!!!
I also get these nasty headaches.
I loose a lot of salt also…today I only went for 4 miles and I had it all over my face and my eyes were burning because of it also.
I do take those endurolyte tablets also, same as Iron Mo. They have them at REI
they work well
I have to take at least 3 when it is very hot
ha, I think my bladder is the size of a pea. I literally pee ALL. THE. TIME. It's crazy
I love lemon+lime and strawberry lemonade nuun. Delicious!
You are one bad@$$ runner – great 12-miler. I need to start doing some distance runs with you
first of all I love your blog..you are an inspiration to me! i found it through my friend michelle's blog thecookinglife.wordpress.com.
i'm about 6 weeks in to training for my first marathon and since i got dehydrated a few weeks ago on a short run I almost always have at least 8 ounces of water with my standing by. basically i sip throughout the day (and yes I have to pee all the time) all day everyday. i'm also drinking tons of water lately in order to deal with my carb/sugar cravings since I'm trying to make more healthy choices. i'm going to try one of these Nuun things you are talking about. -Tori
That 8 glasses of water rule isn't great for everyone. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doctor kept telling me to drink at least 64 oz because I had low amniotic fluid….I had to drink 128 oz a day to keep my fluid at a normal level. Some people just need more water, pregnant or otherwise.
I've never tried nuun. I don't think I run enough right now for it.
I have the same bladder problem! When I track my calories with my fitness pal, I found that since I track my water on there too, it helps make sure that I am getting enough fluids. Otherwise, I would get busy with the girls and forget. I'm off the check off this nuun you speak of!