A summer reminder, but it applies during all seasons. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, as runners, we should not be one of them!. (Likely applies to half the world's pop.) In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3% and prevents your body from recovering from your run or injuries. Lack of hydration is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

One good trick is to jump on scale before and after a run and correct any loss of weight due to fluid loss ... Dang, you mean I didn't really lose 3 pounds on that 4 mile run!

Run, hydrate, run,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... gulp!

PS: Running Fit has a great selection of hydration carriers, don't run out the door without one!