Coffee and Triathletes?

If you normally drink coffee, drink it on race day. If not, don't.

Nothing new on race day.

the answer is yes.

This is my pre race routine. I'm a coffee drinker though.

I've seen a few articles on how caffeine improves performance. Caffeine is in a lot of the workout gels and supplements.

Thanks so much for the info...a big help.

Not much of a coffee drinker myself, so certainly wouldn't start before a race...just wondering.

^^X2.  Although, I tend to go for a second and / or third cup but chase it with a gatorade to avoid the dehydration issues.  My goal is to make sure the coffee purkalates the system enough so that the first dump is taken care of at home or the hotel.

for me drinking coffee is like breathing air.  Just a normal part of my day, all though the day.  Don't get between me and my Dark Lord. 

I'm going to experiment with coffee in my Perpeteum at this weekend's HIM.  I tried it accidentally on my last ride and LOVED it, so I can't wait to try it in the HIM.  Oh, and I ALWAYS do something new on race day.  Going to be wearing a new trisuit (won't even see it as it is being muled here so don't even know if it will fit), saddle with 3 rides on it and nutrition.  AND it doesn't "work" on my digestive system like it used to - guess I'm too used to it or I need 2 pots to get that effect.  Also, I'm pretty sure the dehydrating factor has been debunked. 

The biggest benefit of coffee for me is that it makes me hit the porta johns just before the race start.  That, and keeps me awake at 4am while driving to the race.

I like that many see bowel movements from it.  I will have to try this, because that's one of my upcoming concerns.

I believe the latest in scientific research has debunked this myth..

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661

I had heard that too.  The diuretic effect is quite minimal from what I understand.

I drink coffee, but it doesn't always sit great in my stomach. Drink 1 cup each morning. The week before a race, I switch to black tea. It sits much lighter in my stomach. My diet follows. I each a much more bland diet. Race morning I might get 2 cups of tea in, depending on how early I'm up.

But, the afternoon after a race, I'm downing another cup. I love it.

Ok, well yes I will believe that to a point.  Yes if you have only 1-2 cups you are fine.  I KNOW for a fact that once you get too much coffee in you it will dehydrate you!  That article says the same thing.  I found this out the hard way doing an open water swim down a river this year after working a night shift.  I tend to drink a lot of coffee on nights and both legs cramped so bad I had to paddle to shore and end my swim.

All I am saying is don't overdue it when coming into race day and or a big training day.  No amount of chasing it with water/ other fluids will help until those caffeine levels have backed off.

Moral of my original point was that I don't overdue the coffee.

Here's my thoughts and I've done a good amount of reading and personal testing w/ caffeine/coffee. Drinking coffee for me helps get me going, but I don't really look at it as a supplement. It wakes me up for my morning swims and helps clear me out before I go out training and/or racing. But, there really isn't that much of a substantial amount of caffeine in most coffee, and it can/will dehydrate you. So most times, I drink a water bottle while drinking coffee to keep my hydration levels adequate.

Here's an interesting video from competitor relating how much you need to reduce pain feeling and boost energy (not sure if I agree or disagree, but it's interesting):

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/07/nutrition/eat-and-run-is-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-athletes-2_58514