Does anybody have any tips or stories on taking caffene before races?
Does anybody have any tips or stories on taking caffene before races?
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Red Bull Power Shots are awesome!
I would say to try it during training to see how you handle it. I took a regular gue and it made me sick to my stomach during my training run. Might not happen to you but best to try it out before hand
You can buy caffeine pills at $7/200 pills online or at Walmart or wherever. That's the best option, because otherwise you have to worry about the other crap the makers decide to throw into their products.
I don't have a good story or anything. I just take some caffeine before races and try to wean myself off of coffee the week before a big race. Don't expect to sleep after a night race, though.
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Does anybody have any tips or stories on taking caffene before races?
Funny you should ask. I just did a post on my blog about caffeine a few weeks ago. Check it out:
http://runningwritings.blogspot.com/2011/08/caffeine-and-running-effectiveness.htmldiot
Coffee does have some fat burning properties apparently and can help with perceived exertion.
Does have potential to upset GI although some runners use before races to make sure they move bowels.
Diurehtic effect too.
I used to have eight ounces of Coke the morning of a race. That was enough.
Use it 3-4 hours pre big race to make sure I empty out. Can be a bit messy so not sure if that's more to do with the caffeine or diet!!
Short races I'll have some more before to get me buzzing and longer races I use later on (like 30km into marathon).
From what I've seen, coffee is not really a diuretic unless you drink it about 10X stronger than it typically comes, i.e. while caffeine does make you excrete a bit more water, the amount of water it is delivered in exceeds that extra excretion.
Suffice it to say, it is not a great hydration drink.
I started taking one caffeine pill before my longer runs (15+ miles) and I guess it helped. I haven't continued the practice as of late because it can upset my stomach.
If you are in college be aware that caffeine IS on the NCAA banned substance list. You would, however, need to take a very sizable dosage to reach the unacceptable limit. Just an FYI for you.