Noobie doing 8km: advantage with energy drink?

PoleStar

Hi all!

After 3 weeks of running I am doing an 8km on Tue having been convinced by the other half!

Aiming for sub 50min (have managed it in 48min so far but being conservative)!

Anyway, so far I wouldn't have put any planning into going for a run other than putting on a pair of runners so in the interests of getting the best time I can for me I was wondering is there any advantage to having one of those energy sachets or a bottle of lucozade sport or something just before the race? If so, what do people recommend and how soon before or what should it be drunk?

Thanks a mill!

Hopefully some of you will be there on Tue!

macinalli

First off, well done on signing up for your 1st race!

I'm sure people all have different views, but for an 8k race I'd say there's no benefit to be had for energy drinks. They can be useful for a long run where you need something extra, but for 8k the race day adrenalin should be plenty. The main thing is to be sensible with your planning. If it's an evening race then make sure to get something to eat a couple of hours beforehand, drink enough water during the day and get there early so as to do a bit of a warm-up and get acclimatised. Best of luck!

menoscemo

If you normally take an energy drink before your runs then there's no harm. If you normally don't then don't start doing it before your race as you never know what affect it might have (it could cause cramps, over hydration etc).

In terms of the energy it gives you, there is no physiological need for it before such a short race. The body has enough fuel in glycogen to last you about 20 miles.

Donelson

Sweet tasting food is supposed to reduce perceived exertion, but it's only the taste not the food that is required, so maybe try one sweet around half way.

PoleStar

K I will stick to what I have been doing then, a half bottle of lucozade sport prior to my runs!

martyeds

Well done on signing up for your first race....i am hoping to do likewise within the next few days....just need to make sure i have the evening off work.
Regarding take a pre race drink. I used to drink a sachet of ""Nox Pump"" before going on a 5km.....it was free in my local gym for a few weeks.
I thought it was the bees knees until i forgot to take it one day, it was only when i had finished my run that i realised this. I had a good run and knocked a few seconds off my time.
My point is, was it all in my head? I was able to push myself a little bit further each time and i thought it was because i had taken my drink.
Just something worth bearing in mind.
Good luck and dont forget to let us know how your race goes.

EauRouge79

PoleStar wrote: »

K I will stick to what I have been doing then, a half bottle of lucozade sport prior to my runs!

Spot on dont change anything you had done up to now. inc clothing.

adrian522

Best of luck tonight, doing the race myself, my second after starting with the5km.

PoleStar

Ok, so as requested here is my time for the 8km:

44 minutes and 20 sec or something.

I am happy with that time, had only 3 weeks training. I think I paced myself poorly though as I had to stop 3 or 4 times.

As advised here, just sipped a lucozade sport prior to starting which I have done a couple of times in training.

My next target is to do a 10km race, decent time (hopefully less than 50min if I train for it) and without stopping.

Any advice on best sites to get say an 8 week training plan? Or is there a good phone app (android) that would have this type of thing that you can set up?

Thanks!