Coming from Norway, I always thought electrolytes were just another supplement Americans took to make money. I never really thought I needed them—I drank plenty of water, so I was fine… right? ❌Wrong. It wasn’t until I traveled through Italy one summer and kept getting headaches, dizziness, and fatigue that I realized something was off. When I finally went to the doctor, I was told I was massively dehydrated—even though I had been drinking water all day. That’s when I learned that to truly stay hydrated, water alone isn’t enough. Why Electrolytes Matter for Runners & Athletes 💧 Water + Electrolytes = Proper Hydration → Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) help your body absorb and retain water so you don’t just flush it out. ⚡ Prevents Cramps & Fatigue → Sodium and potassium regulate muscle contractions to reduce mid-run cramps and post-run soreness. 🧠 Reduces Headaches & Dizziness → Losing too much sodium through sweat can cause headaches, brain fog, and sluggishness. How to Get Electrolytes? ✔️ Through foods (salt, bananas, leafy greens, coconut water) ✔️ Through electrolyte drinks ✔️ Through real salt in meals if training in heat How Much Do You Need? 💧 Short runs (<60 min, cool weather) → Water is usually enough 💧 Runs over 60 min OR hot conditions → 300-500mg sodium per hour (electrolyte drink or salty foods) 💧 High sweat days (humidity, long workouts) → 500-1000mg sodium per hour Lesson learned: Hydration is more than just water. Now, I always add electrolytes when I train hard, sweat a lot, or run long distances, and the difference is game-changing. 🚀 Do you drink electrolytes or just water? Would love to know your hydration routine in the comments! ⬇️ #StayHydrated #RunningFuel #GUforIt #MarathonTraining #ElectrolytesMatter #RunStrong #HydrationTips #EnduranceTraining #RunnersLife #RunnerKarolineOlsen