caffeine bad before long runs?
NiikouruDesu
Posts: 100
For longer distance running apparently you should train your body to use fat as fuel, which means dont have carbohydrates up to a few hours before. Since caffeine releases insulin in the same way as sugars (promoting fat storage), should it also be avoided pre-workout?
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I have always had coffee before my long runs. I've never had issues with it.0
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Okay, thanks!0
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My long run pre-work out usually just consists of a shot of Cellucor C4 with a big cup of water on my way to the park. Gu Chocolate Outrage as my mid-run fuel. Doesn't hurt that I'm out the door at 6:30 and don't want to burden myself by having any kind of "real" breakfast before I run (if I do, it's a banana at most).
The C4 states it has the same caffeine as 4 cups of coffee...0 -
Coffee before running actually has a lot of benefit. Stimulates the hairs on the bronchial tubes. Good for breathing! I drink coffee religious before a run as i have asthma and albuterol gives me migraines.0
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If I don't drink coffee before I run in the morning, there will be dead bodies strewn in my wake.0
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Yeah, I'm not sure if I could do a morning run without coffee. I don't ever, ever intend to try
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I actually don't drink coffee before my long run, or the morning before either. If I do, there are unnecessary potty breaks needed.0
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I don't drink coffee before my long runs mostly because I like to put a lot of extras in my coffee & I don't want it sloshing around in my stomach. But I can tell a difference between caffienated afternoon runs and non-caffeinated morning runs; there's a huge energy/speed/pain tolerance difference, so if you feel fine drinking caffeine before a long run, go for it!0
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Yeah, I'm not sure if I could do a morning run without coffee. I don't ever, ever intend to try
Me neither!If I don't drink coffee before I run in the morning, there will be dead bodies strewn in my wake.
Agreed!0 -
I don't drink coffee before my long runs mostly because I like to put a lot of extras in my coffee & I don't want it sloshing around in my stomach. But I can tell a difference between caffienated afternoon runs and non-caffeinated morning runs; there's a huge energy/speed/pain tolerance difference, so if you feel fine drinking caffeine before a long run, go for it!
I think this is more of a difference between cold, tight morning muscles vs. warm, loose afternoon muscles. When I do the rare afternoon run, I always feel faster and more loose...and I'm caffeinated all hours of the day. 0 -
Long run without my coffee? Oh, hayull no. I mean, just no no no no no no. I would eat the beans whole if I had to, crunch them in my teeth. I have a raging caffeine addiction that I have ZERO desire to kick. Not even for running. Nope. Nope. Nope. Life without that magical beverage? I mean, you're going to have to make a really compelling case for me and I haven't heard one yet.
Also? Coffee and a large bran muffin 1 hour before my long run. Poop 30 minutes before my long run. I get to keep my socks.0 -
Coffee before long run (1 cup)-RUN-coffee again (unlimited quantities). (Oh, and caffeinated Clif Bar during long run too). ;D0
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Caffeine is proven to enhance performance in endurance activities, including running. So, it seems whatever ill effects regarding insulin it might trigger are offset by the benefits.0
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A nutrionist spoke to my running group a few months ago, one of the things she said was that caffeine is the only supplement that has been extensively tested and provides the performance enhancement promised. The downside: you must be caffeine free for 10 days prior to for the full benefit on race day.0
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Caffeine is proven to enhance performance in endurance activities, including running. So, it seems whatever ill effects regarding insulin it might trigger are offset by the benefits.
This. I gave up coffee some months back (mainly due to stress levels it places on the body and I find if you consume it more frequently the benefits mentioned above are diluted). Occasionally I'll have a bar on a long ride or run with caffeine and I get a certain short-lived jolt, which is helpful if I'm out on a really long excursion.
I'd argue those who consume coffee/caffeine more frequently will notice little to no advantage.0 -
A nutrionist spoke to my running group a few months ago, one of the things she said was that caffeine is the only supplement that has been extensively tested and provides the performance enhancement promised. The downside: you must be caffeine free for 10 days prior to for the full benefit on race day.
This is right there next to sleeping in an altitude tent for me. There is basically no running goal I want so badly as to alter my caffeine / coffee habit.0 -
Hmm....not that I'm against coffee. I love it and drink far too much. BUT - I find early in the morning, it em, gets things moving. I wouldn't dream of having a cup of it before a long run for that reason alone.0
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A run without coffee just wouldn't be a run for me.
I'm reading the "New Rules of Marathon and Half Marathon Nutrition" by Matt Fitzgerald right now. There's a fair amount on caffeine use. He suggests a caffeine "fast" of up to two weeks before a race to get the max benefit during a race and taking caffeine pills (ie. NoDoz, for a standardized dose) before a race at about 3 mg caffeine/kg body weight to enhance performance. Supposedly, caffeine can also help improve carbohydrate uptake during the run.
I haven't tried this, so I'm not recommending it. I'm just posting it because it's on topic and I found it interesting when I read it. Besides, I could never to two weeks without coffee before a race anyway!0 -
There is basically no running goal I want so badly as to alter my caffeine / coffee habit.
Amen sister!0 -
A run without coffee!?! Are you nuts!?! There is No Way I will step foot outside my house without at least one cup of coffee in my system~I don't care if that is for a run or shopping or anything! Coffee~nectar of the gods.0
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I'm drinking coffee right now.:drinker:0
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Not a hope in hell coffee before and post run is a MUST, if I could fit one during, I would. 0
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Skipping coffee before a long run sounds awful to me. Up at 5:30, to the kitchen in pj's to make coffee, by the time I'm dressed, it's done it's magic and I can use the bathroom and get that safely out of the way before the long run. Then post-long run/race, it's a stop by Starbucks for a skinny vanilla latte. you mean people DON'T do this?;)0
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Skipping coffee before a long run sounds awful to me. Up at 5:30, to the kitchen in pj's to make coffee, by the time I'm dressed, it's done it's magic and I can use the bathroom and get that safely out of the way before the long run. Then post-long run/race, it's a stop by Starbucks for a skinny vanilla latte. you mean people DON'T do this?;)
"Skinny vanilla latte"? if the run was long enough, I might even go for one of the 400 calorie super sugar bombs.0 -
I have a friend who pops one of those small cans of Starbucks doubleshot espresso drinks (140 cals) during ultras. I've thought about it but I'd want it cold and it would get warm in a drop bag. Plus I'm not sure how my body would handle the dairy mid-race. I guess there's only one way to find out. lol
I love coffee. Period. It's something I will never, ever give up.0 -
Thanks everyone for your inputs! This general concensus makes me very happy
sounds like I won't have to cut back on my jolly one cup a day 0 -
ha ha ha, I generally stand around waiting run holding coffee and a poptart. races, too. No caffeine?! terrible. 0
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I have a friend who pops one of those small cans of Starbucks doubleshot espresso drinks (140 cals) during ultras. I've thought about it but I'd want it cold and it would get warm in a drop bag.
Ice pack! I pack chocolate milk for after in a little lunch box with an ice pack.0 -
I have a friend who pops one of those small cans of Starbucks doubleshot espresso drinks (140 cals) during ultras. I've thought about it but I'd want it cold and it would get warm in a drop bag.
Ice pack! I pack chocolate milk for after in a little lunch box with an ice pack.
I freeze mine the night before and take it out the morning before the race. Depending on the temps it is usually ice cold slush.0 -
I have a friend who pops one of those small cans of Starbucks doubleshot espresso drinks (140 cals) during ultras. I've thought about it but I'd want it cold and it would get warm in a drop bag.
Ice pack! I pack chocolate milk for after in a little lunch box with an ice pack.
I freeze mine the night before and take it out the morning before the race. Depending on the temps it is usually ice cold slush.
Ooh - this would work great for milk boxes! I'd be worried about the starbucks containers exploding though.0
