Caffine - yay or nay?
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ChunkyB posted 16 weeks ago.
Studies have shown that caffeine really does improve performance when taken before a race. If it's a longer race, you need to keep ingesting it or you'll crash. But I think most people agree that it really does improve performance.
However, it might help to cut out the daily/habitual caffeine.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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303 days
jhudalla posted 16 weeks ago.
For me caffine is super. I *try* to limit it during the week, but on the weekends (my early starting - very long days) I almost always put down a s/f redbull. If give me that little up I need to get rolling and fights off that early morning headache from pushing it when you're still half asleep.
There might be something to refining the diet, but I don't think I'm missing tooooo much as far as energy and performance goes.
To put it another way; everything in moderation.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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TryScott posted 16 weeks ago.
I don't try to avoid caffeine, but I really don't enjoy anything that has it. On 2 or 3 occasions I've tried to drink an energy drink before a hard workout, and it doesn't appear to make a difference. It helps some people, but it affects everyone different, and I'm one of them it doesn't do anything for. I'm better off taking a placebo. :)
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RunMDC posted 16 weeks ago.
I definitely limit my caffeine intake as part of my normal diet (about 99% of which comes in the form of Starbuck's coffee). I never drink it before a workout or a race though even if it is in small doses because I feel that it makes me too hyper and jittery not to mention more thirsty. On long training days or during a race that is 3+hours I will use a gel that contains caffeine and I do feel the difference in energy after taking the gel. I think my stomach digests the caffeine better when it is in gel form so maybe I should try a caffeinated gel before a workout too and see if I can handle it.
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go 'gate 2006 posted 16 weeks ago.
during trianing, no caffeine, but i do us it during races. the idea is that by cutting it out on a regular basis, my body responds to it more because there's a low tolerance level.
- AT
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go 'gate 2006 posted 16 weeks ago.
during trianing, no caffeine, but i do use it during racing. the idea is that by cutting it out on a regular basis, my body responds to it more because there's a low tolerance level.
- AT
4914
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1716 days
beads1985 posted 16 weeks ago.
Yay caffeine!!
I have 2 kids, a job where I work long hours, and always have lots of stuff going on.
I make sure I take care of my kids and my wife, and then I get to train.
Sometimes that means I don't get all the rest I want or need.
Caffeine to the rescue!! I do partake a few days a week. ;-9
Nothing to it, but to do it
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351 days
swimmer52 posted 16 weeks ago.
I keep my intake low during the week (or days I don't need it) so that when I use it for training or racing I can drink a standard amount and get the kick I need. I think of it as a great tool and use it only when I need it.
"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"
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KitKat posted 16 weeks ago.
I'm hooked on an IV of coffee or espresso. Just makes things easier :)
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jtrimom posted 16 weeks ago.
if I don't have my morning dosage, I get cranky and a big headache- for the rest of the day. While training or racing, I can take it or leave it- but I prefer to take it...to avoid the headache and possible crankiness
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1142 days
deepbluex posted 16 weeks ago.
I can't take caffeine before a race. I have pre-race jitters so adding caffeine on top of that would just make me melt down. What I need is to slow down a little and relax. I think that if I took something with caffeine at T1 and beyond, that would work pretty well.
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273 days
Raygir posted 16 weeks ago.
My coach would like me to go decaf during the week and fully leaded on race day ( although only 1 cup)
reality is 4;30 am wake up to go swim 2800m 2x a week we are talking caffein as my motor needs a jump start any thing before 6am
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TryScott posted 16 weeks ago.
It looks like I'm the only one that caffeine isn't affecting. Not fair!
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1716 days
beads1985 posted 16 weeks ago.
TryScott wrote:
It looks like I'm the only one that caffeine isn't affecting. Not fair!
You're going to have to step it up,
substitute crack for the sugar and you'll be fine ;-D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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1321 days
Triguy98 posted 16 weeks ago.
Yay! I love my caffeinated strawberry banana powergels. The green apple ones arent too bad either.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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1402 days
Star posted 15 weeks ago.
I don't consume caffeine (except what's in chocolate!) so when I tried it during my long runs a few months ago, it made me feel terrible. People keep telling me that it will make me faster or have more energy, but I'm not going to use something that makes me feel bad. Its a no-go on the caffeine for me.
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
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hateloveschool posted 14 weeks ago.
I usually try to keep caffeine out of my system during training, unless it's the school year. I will for sprint triathlons drink a red bull before I race. It wakes me up... I haven't crashed before during a race, but then again, I wouldn't use it during a half IM because of the crash. Caffeine is a tricky thing, some people are affected by it more then others.
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410 days
Akatsuki posted 13 weeks ago.
Along the same lines:
I am running my first marathon next month. They serve free redbull at the 20+ miles. Should I drink it? I don't really know how my body will react to red bull when I am near exhaustion... Any feedback?
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trigirltina2 posted 13 weeks ago.
If you haven't practice with it, I wouldn't reccomend it.
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309 days
jsk85 posted 13 weeks ago.
I caffienate myself on a regular basis, more to get thru the morning at work. I tend to have no problem getting my energy up for workouts. However, since my body is used to it in the mornings, I will make sure to have some on race day mornings (usually a powergel with it instead of making coffee) just so my body doesn't feel like it's being withdrawn...not for the additional boost.
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59 days
sbrstlouis posted 7 weeks ago.
Caffeine... definitely yes before a race. It helps to cut back from caffeine in the week leading up to your race though.
Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer
network cables
I have always heard that it is ideal to cut as much caffeine out of the system as possible. "A clean burning fuel tank is best." However, in reading the posts here (which I've been doing for a few months), I noticed a lot of people who incorporate caffeine, especially coffee, into their diet for training or races.
Is there a consensus about whether or not this is actually good for you? I know coffee doesn't work for me cause it screws up my stomach - but I was considering trying other sources to give me that little kick when I need it - what do you think?