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2009-08-04 11:32 AM


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Subject: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
What are your thoughts on caffeine intake prior to a race or letting off caffeine a few days before the race to allow hydration?


2009-08-04 11:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
i think caffeine has been proven to have a performance boosting effect for endurance athletics. I understand the notion of caffeine as a diuretic (sp?), but I think there may even be some evidence that such effects are actually small.

personally, I use caffeine before and during events. i drink my normal amount of coffee before the race and then eat gu with caffeine, or coke at the end of longer races.
2009-08-04 11:36 AM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
I drink it.

I have a Diet DP driving to a race.

2009-08-04 11:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
From my understanding most of the negative effects of caffeine, ie; dehydration and diuretic are extremely exaggerated.  You need to drink a substantial amount of coffee to have any of the ill effects.

(some people are more sensative to others, but generally speaking)

I sure wouldn't do something drastic like quiting caffeine a couple days before an event.  You are asking for serious trouple.
2009-08-04 11:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
There's a great article on Joe Friel's blog here.

An excerpt regarding coffee as a diuretic:
 
For years it was believed that coffee was a diuretic, probably because of the common urge to urinate after drinking it. There is considerable research showing that it does not cause the loss of water or dehydration [3,9,11,17,18]. Of course, the reason you need to visit the toilet is that you don’t drink coffee to satisfy thirst but rather for the taste and physical effects. So, essentially, once your water reserves reach a normal level the excess fluid must be removed.

2009-08-04 11:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing

I'm a grad student, I live on caffeine.  Race or not, it must go in my body.



2009-08-04 12:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
I don't drink coffee or soda (gave up a 3-a-morning habit about 5 years ago) so really my only (occasional) caffeine intake is chocolate. This works to my benefit when I start drinking the Cola on course in the last 3 or 4 miles of a 70.3 and the combo of sugar AND caffeine gets me a bit more sparked up than I would be otherwise to help finish the race.
2009-08-04 12:32 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing

I consume caffeine before almost every morning workout.  Wake up around 4AM and either do a quick 5hr energy shot, coffee, whatever, I don't care but it must be something.  Then a coffee when I get to work too...

You need to consume alot before it starts really dehydrating you, but basically I drink a pint of water or two and take in some form of caffeine and I feel alot better than with no caffeine, so I'm sticking with it.

2009-08-04 12:51 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
djluscher - 2009-08-04 9:35 AM i think caffeine has been proven to have a performance boosting effect for endurance athletics. I understand the notion of caffeine as a diuretic (sp?), but I think there may even be some evidence that such effects are actually small. personally, I use caffeine before and during events. i drink my normal amount of coffee before the race and then eat gu with caffeine, or coke at the end of longer races.


x2

One cup of coffee on my way to the race, and coke at the end of longer races...
2009-08-04 1:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
I stopped drinking coffee (never drink soda) 3 or 4 months ago because I wasn't comfortable being chemically dependent on caffiene to function.

I drink a coffee Rockstar (light!) on race mornings for the extra boost. Works fabulously for me.

 
2009-08-04 1:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
lisac957 - 2009-08-04 11:18 AM I stopped drinking coffee (never drink soda) 3 or 4 months ago because I wasn't comfortable being chemically dependent on caffiene to function.

I drink a coffee Rockstar (light!) on race mornings for the extra boost. Works fabulously for me.

 


I also gave up caffeine about 3 weeks ago, mainly for specific health reasons.  In all reality, I haven't missed it at all.  I can't imagine what drinking caffeine would feel like after that long off!


2009-08-04 1:32 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
The last few articles I have read have been pretty positive on caffiene (much like everyone has said).  The one item mentioned is that if you are moderate to heavy caffiene user than you should cut back a few days before the race.  That way it will have more of an affect on race day.

Check out:http://www.runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=3767
2009-08-04 1:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
ChrisM - 2009-08-04 11:28 AM

lisac957 - 2009-08-04 11:18 AM I stopped drinking coffee (never drink soda) 3 or 4 months ago because I wasn't comfortable being chemically dependent on caffiene to function.

I drink a coffee Rockstar (light!) on race mornings for the extra boost. Works fabulously for me.

 


I also gave up caffeine about 3 weeks ago, mainly for specific health reasons.  In all reality, I haven't missed it at all.  I can't imagine what drinking caffeine would feel like after that long off!


Like being on speed. I will occasionally drink a Coke on the 10-hr drive from CA to AZ, when it's night and I'm on the last couple hours going through the desert. I'm usually able to call my husband and talk at 300 wpm while my whole system buzzes
2009-08-04 4:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Caffeine - Thoughts on training or racing
I have coffee before a race like I normally do everyday.  I also use caffiene during a race.  I take an Espresso GU at about mile 85 of an IM bike leg and at about mile 15 of IM mary.   The caffiene jolt really helps me. 
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