Exercise and Drinking Water

Quercus Grove trail, outside Edwardsville, Illinois where it crosses Old Carpenter Road.

I've always been a fan of drinking water. I ran a lot of marathons when I was younger, and I knew the importance of keeping properly hydrated. I might skip the first few water stations, but by the time I was past 5K or for sure by 10K, I wanted to start getting some water in me.

As a bicyclist, I also understand the need for water. I always carry water with me on the bike, usually two bottles during warm or hot weather. I may not drink it all, or I may pour it out and get fresh water if I can, but I don't like being without it.

I took a 20-mile bike ride back in early March and forgot my water. I didn't panic, and I didn't die. I got a bit dry, but I was okay. I used to train for marathons without water. I planned my training run to go through the park and I'd hit the water fountain there at least once. That was over 20 miles running. That may not have been too smart, but I didn't panic and I didn't die.

Yesterday I took a four-mile walk, and I encountered a jogger, a young woman, and she was carrying a water bottle in her hand while she ran on the trail. Since I was walking I had entirely too much time to think, and I realized that I had never run, or walked, while carrying a bottle of water.

I certainly don't think she was wrong for doing so. I guess my thoughts were that she was either overly cautious or else runners are advised to always have water close at hand nowadays. And I probably wouldn't have given it another thought, except for what happened just five minutes later.

As I walked I could see two cyclists coming in the distance to meet me. Judging by way one of them was riding, back and forth across the center line in a serpentine manner, I figured it at least one of them was a kid. I was right.

It was a father and son, and they were taking a lazy, easy ride, enjoying a fairly nice day on the trail.

As they got within about 20 yards of me I heard the father say "No, you've only ridden one mile! You don't need water already." And the son began whining, "yes, I do, I'm thirsty! I need water!"

Me, I think all the concerns about dehydration are a bit much. I don't know what to think about a society that can't go thirty minutes without water. I see it everywhere, parents buying bottled water for their children so they can go on a car ride.

And bottled water: don't even get me started.