Home› Racing Forum 🏎

Caffine (pills) on race day

cam2wincam2win
in Racing Forum 🏎

At the Ironman Wisconsin Camp Rich mentioned that he would put 400 mg of Caffine (I think) in his special needs bag for the bike, No Doze is what I believe he said he was going to take.

This summer I have been training with Coke on my long rides ( having a Coke 50-60 miles into my rides) and I have also been using 5 Hour Energy around 80+ mile marker for my 100+ rides to see if this causes any GI issues.  So far on hot and cool days I have been fine with Coke & 5 Hour Energy.

My question is, I have never taken caffine pills.  Are these something that can cause GI distress.  Are there any brands or different kinds people recommend?  I know with Salt pills they don't really cause any problems unless you really over do it, was wondering if Caffine pills might work the same way.

I don't drink coffee, coke or anything with Caffine in it normally, I only opened up to this for Ironman because I know this stuff helps. 

So is this a dancing with the devil type of idea for race day or are taking the pills a low risk?  I will still plan on using Coke & 5 Hour Energy on day.

Comments

  • CarlCarl
    Jason -

    I would not try anything new on the actual race day that you have not practiced with. Just not worth it if it goes wrong.
  • mattsullmattsull

    What Carl said. Stick with what you know works for you. Many different ways to get caffeine. I get mine from Roctane gel on race day. I've paracticed and raced with this before though.

  • afrostafrost
    If you are not a regular caffeine user (and certainly not a heavy user) I would tend to stay away from the 400 mg caffeine pill. I am a one cup of coffee a day person. The 25 or 50 mg of caffeine I get from a gel is plenty to give me the benefits of caffeine on race day. Starting at about 2 hours in, I will generally have about 4 caffeinated gels on the bike (so a MAX of 200 mg) and then drink water and coke on the run. I am plenty caffeinated on that. I am a small person though - 115 lbs - if you are a lot bigger, then you could probably take more. But I still think that 400 mg shot might send you into overdose mode!

    If you are really thinking about the caffeine pill, then try it out BEFORE race day. But you probably don't need to do it.

    ---Ann.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    x2 on Roctane..trained with it, practiced it with RR and used it for IMLP.

    plan on practicing more with caffine next season...thinking Coke...
  • sfedersfeder
    i use actual caffine pills. I am a big coffee drinker, however you do have to practive with it first. I take it for a little boost in energy level but most importantly an improved outlook when things start getting tough, the increased focus and optomistic point of view help me especially on bleak parts of the run.
  • afrostafrost
    X2 on the optimism factor that Scott points out. I just feel generally happier after a shot of that stuff!
  • mattsullmattsull

    I will be totally jacked on caffeine by the second half of the run. I slowly work my way up to it.

  • Jeff BraatenJeff Braaten
    Just as a reminder on the bike and run course they have the powerbar gels and most of them do contain caffeine. They will be digested a little more slowly and naturally than any of the tabs such as NoDoz or Vivarin.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    For some folks like me, ANY concentrated caffeine will jack up my stomach. I've had less than 2 cups of coffee my whole life.

    Practice well and practice often.
  • jburbattjburbatt
    +1 on what Scott said. If you don't normal do caffeine then your coke and 5 hour energy will likely be plenty. I'm in the same boat, and 1 coke lasts me much longer than those who normally take in a lot of caffeine.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Posted By Jason Taylor on 30 Aug 2011 10:02 AM

    ...My question is, I have never taken caffine pills.  Are these something that can cause GI distress.  Are there any brands or different kinds people recommend?  I know with Salt pills they don't really cause any problems unless you really over do it, was wondering if Caffine pills might work the same way.

    I don't drink coffee, coke or anything with Caffine in it normally, I only opened up to this for Ironman because I know this stuff helps....



    DON'T DO IT!!! I'm not a coffee drinker, altho I do drink a diet coke every day, and use Coke liberally on the IM run. The two times I've tried caffeine pills (which have 6 times the amount of drug of 12 oz of Coke), I had a disasterous race. There are great studies which demonstrate the effect of this legal performace enhancing drug, and the message is: it works to help improve fat metabolism, and to keep neuro attention sharp. BUT, it works best in those who are already habituated to it. The large doses in coffee or pills (200 mg+) are dangerous for the unitiated. Risks of dehydration and neurological dysfunction. Stick to slamming the coke on the run.

Sign In or Register to comment.