Hydration, Caffeine, Oakland Energy

There’s a part of marathon training nobody brags about.

It’s not the negative splits.
t=”194″ data-end=”197″ />>It’s not the filtered sunrise photo.
=”yoast-text-mark” data-start=”233″ data-end=”236″ />>It’s not the “crushed it” Strava caption.

It’s mile nine of a Sunday long run when your body decides it has had enough.

In Episode 6 of Beyond The Training, Santino Williams and I found ourselves in that exact space. The unfiltered space. The “why does my stomach hate me?” space. The very real reminder that electrolytes are not a marketing conspiracy and that they’re actually needed for survival.

This bi-weekly YouTube series, is our behind-the-scenes look at preparing for the 2026 Run Club Tour. And this week? We got honest about hydration, caffeine, and why Oakland means more than a start line.

This Long Run Taught Me A Lot

Let’s talk hydration strategy.

Not the “drink water and hope” plan. I’m talking about the two-plus-hour reality of marathon training. Sodium matters. Timing matters. And that porta potty you casually jogged past at mile three? It might become your spiritual home by mile eleven.

Santino and I unpacked:

• Tailwind and/or salt tabs

• Caffeine gels (Is 50mg in five seconds bold… or reckless?)

• Testing fueling without ruining your week

• Avoiding the dreaded race-day science experiment

Your gut will thank you.

Hydration for marathon training isn’t sexy. But it’s necessary. It’s the difference between managing discomfort and spiraling into survival mode. And if we’re serious about building strong everyday athletes, we have to talk about it.

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Why Oakland Hits Different

Then we shifted gears.

After our panel with Coach B and David Monico, I couldn’t stop thinking about why the 2026 Everyday Athlete Clubhouse Run Club Tour begins in Oakland.

a-start=”1926″ data-end=”2136″>It’s not just a marathon. It’s Lake Merritt glowing in the morning light. It’s bridges stretching across possibility. How about neighborhoods with character? Let us not forget live music on course and a culture that refuses to be ignored.

We didn’t choose Oakland for medals.
We chose Oakland for meaning.

Marathon training can personal and sometimes lonely. But racing through a city with soul? That’s communal.

Leaving the Numbers Behind

Here’s where I might upset the data crowd.

We talked about leaving the Aletheia sensor. The chest strap. The pace alerts.

The metrics got us here. But they won’t carry us across the finish line with joy. That requires trust. Trust in your body. Trust in the work and that you’re ready even if your watch says otherwise.

With about a month until race day, Santino and I are in that strange sweet spot: confident enough to finish, disciplined enough to refine details. Blisters. Hip compensation. Mental gymnastics. All of it.

We are honest about where we are as well as who we are. Our conversation helps us explore our why and can help you too.

Has any of the following questions crossed your mind?

• Am I ready enough?

• Did I train enough?

• Why do I do this to myself?

If so, press that play button. You can join us and nod your head in agreement. Or you can point at the screen like Leonardo DiCaprio and say mean things.

Regardless of your reaction to our conversation, I guaranteed that somewhere between hydration mistakes and Oakland sunrises, you find something real.

And that? Totally worth it.

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