How much should I drink before track practice? Read description?

Drink some, but not too much.

You should be drinking all day, throughout the day. Don't load up right before practice. That doesn't give your body time to use what it needs AND whatever it can't use immediately will be passed as sweat or in your urine.

If you can, keep a bottle of water with you all the time, or stop at the water fountain during the day as often as possible. Shoot for a nice long swallow of water at least every 15 mins all day (or go for about a cup (8 fluid oz) in between classes if you can't have water with you in class.

The idea is to stay well hydrated all the time. You can also drink some right before track practice, but it shouldn't need to be a lot. Have some available to drink during practice also, to replenish what you're sweating out, and then rehydrate after practice .

Rule of thumb: if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Drink a couple glasses (maybe 16 oz. or so) 15-20 minutes before practice. And SIP water after exercise. Drinking a lot right before and/or after intense cardio will make you throw up/cramp. And drink plenty the day before and throughout the day leading up to practice. If your urine is light yellow or clear, you're well hydrated.

Try 2 pints of beer and just see how it goes. Increase your intake if you get thirsty again.

Water in your "stomach" is not what makes your side hurt. Your side hurts when you are not getting enough oxygen, indicating that you are not breathing correctly. Monitor your breathing so that it is slow, deep, an even. Don't hold your breath when you sprint.

If you need to be hydrated for practice, drink more throughout the day, not just before practice.