Am I drinking enough?
Hydration is everything. Getting it right can make the difference between a DNF and your best performance yet
Running can be thirsty work, and many runners know they should ensure they are adequately hydrated before, during and after their run. Knowing exactly how to go about achieving the right level of hydration, without feeling desperate for a wee shortly after setting off baffles many a runner, however. Making sure you’re hydrating correctly is not only important for running performance but for overall health, so how do you tell if you’re adequately hydrated? And how do you improve your hydration? And what are the risks associated with over-hydrating, and how do we avoid that?
The importance of hydration
Fluid plays a variety of important roles in the body. It enables substances to move around the body, is a major component of blood plasma, lubricates and protects tissues and plays a key role in immunity. It’s therefore vitally important that our bodies are sufficiently hydrated at all times. This is often a concern of those