Running Half-Marathon with trays in

[SharonV]

Hi Everyone,

I will be running a half-marathon this Sunday and I am concerned what to do about hydration and sports drinks with trays in.

It has not been a problem during my training runs as I typically will just drink water. However, during the race I will use sports drink and GU Gel.

I do not really want to remove my trays for the race as it starts at 6:45 am, with the need to arrive early; given the fact I am not a speed demon they would be out more than 3.5 hours by time I finish the race and get back to my car. My dentist said to run with them in but try to find drink that won't stain and try drinking through straw (not feasible).

For all you runners out there any suggestions?

Thanks,

Sharon

[LeslieKnope]

Maybe keep them in for the first hour of your race, and then when you need the sports drink/GU gel, take them out and store them in a case inside a jacket pocket (not sure if it'll be cold enough for a jacket where you are...). That way you can cut the non-wearing time to 2.5 hours. Not super ideal, but it's better than risking cavities.

Good luck with the race!!!

[paulmerc]

So, say she left them in AND did the drink and goo. Will much material really get UNDER the aligner at that point when they are in? And then after, if she removes them right after the race, washes them and does a good teeth brush won't she clear out any of the sugur/food/goo that MIGHT be under there?

could the cavity causing material really work that fast to start a new cavity?

[LeslieKnope]

According to my orthodontist, a cavity won't develop that fast, and he even said it's ok to eat with aligners in so long as I "brush right after" (query how long "right after" is...). But I have had 3 root canals and countless fillings in my life, so I know that my teeth are particularly cavity-prone and I don't want to take any risks. If I were in her situation, I'd avoid leaving the aligners in while drinking the sports drinks/goo.

[SharonV]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the insight. I am in S. FL so definately will be too warm for a jacket.

It really is a slipery slope and have yet to decide what to do. My dental hygiene has improved 100% since starting this process, I never was a flosser and now water pik/floss and brush 3 - 4x per day now.

Given that and typically that I am not prone to cavities I am sort of leaning towards wearing them. I would hate to take them out during the race and risk loosing them. I switch to tray 5 two days after the race so any staining that might possible occur would only have to put up with for a day or so.

[ChicagoB]

Just leave them on and rinse after the race. A few hours won't kill you. I sometimes drink wine or coffee with mine in. Not the smartest move and I may pay for it later. I was so good the first 8 or 9 months and then got tired of the charade. Hope I don't pay later.

[LeslieKnope]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the insight. I am in S. FL so definately will be too warm for a jacket.

It really is a slipery slope and have yet to decide what to do. My dental hygiene has improved 100% since starting this process, I never was a flosser and now water pik/floss and brush 3 - 4x per day now.

Given that and typically that I am not prone to cavities I am sort of leaning towards wearing them. I would hate to take them out during the race and risk loosing them. I switch to tray 5 two days after the race so any staining that might possible occur would only have to put up with for a day or so.

Sounds good, especially since you're switching trays the next day.

One tip, and this is both a health tip and an invisalign tip: try getting gatorade powder and diluting it so that you get the electrolytes you need with less sugar. My track coaches in high school taught me this, and it's served me well to this day

Good luck with the race!

[paulmerc]

Concur, the gatorade powder also doesn't have the HFCS that is in all the regular gatorade drinks.

[SharonV]

Hi Leslie & Paul,

Thanks for the tips on the gatorade. Lots of the sports drinks are way to sweet so I typically avoid them. Last year they gave out bottles of power-ade at mile 3 it was like drinking sugar. I have been experimenting with Nunn and Zym tablets as they have good electroylte replacement with out all the calories and sugar.

Thye race organizers did a silly thing this year and changed start time from 5:45 am to 6:45 which means we will be running when FL sun really starts to heat up - so need to make sure get proper hydration.

Sharon

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Easiest solution... run faster to reduce the time out of aligners! .

All kidding aside, if you feel uncomfortable wearing them during your race, take them off and let your doctor know about this. He/she may want you to wear the aligner for an extra day, but depending on the movements required, it may not make any difference.

Here's to a great race!

[LeslieKnope]

SharonV--how'd it go? Care to share your tips?

[SharonV]

Hi Leslie,

I ran the race with my trays in. I carried a fuel belt with GU Gel and Berry GU Electric brew. At the aid stations I made sure to take water so that I could continue to rinse my mouth. Then really cleaned trays when I got home.

Since the bottles that I was using were squeeze tops, I could shoot the liquid beyond my trays much like you were using a straw - it really worked out well.

As for the race itself they were supposed to start at 6:45 am and gun did not go off until past 7:30 and at this point it was already 73 with high humdity and 20+ winds, definately not optimal conditions. They also had a new management company running things and they ran out of water and gatorade at several of the aid stations even medals for the finishers.

Thanks for asking,
Sharon

[Csherouse]

Wow, I'm running a half and just got my liners. I was wondering how to deal with and found this site....thanks! I was sure I wasn't the first person in this situation.