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Caffeine during marathon

  • 30-08-2019 9:14am
    #1
    Bluesquare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Do people take caffeine during a marathon? In what format and when ? Trying to practice race day nutrition and not sure what my best options are . Have bought shot bloks with caffeine ?

    Thanks
    BS


Comments

  • #2
    Fenster
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,763 ✭✭✭Fenster


    I've been repeatedly told it can go great in the final quarter as an energy boost. Maybe carry a caffeine whatever?


  • #3
    Singer
    Registered Users Posts: 2,415 ✭✭✭Singer


    Bluesquare wrote: »
    Hi,

    Do people take caffeine during a marathon? In what format and when ? Trying to practice race day nutrition and not sure what my best options are . Have bought shot bloks with caffeine ?

    Thanks
    BS

    I've taken Gu Espresso and High-5 caffeine gels during marathons. I've used Bloks too, but not the ones with caffeine. Generally you want the caffeine hit during the second half of the race, so take 'em around half way.


  • #4
    EDit
    Registered Users Posts: 819 ✭✭✭EDit


    Have used the Clif bloks (Black Cherry with caffeine) for long runs in Ironman events and, like said above, they can provide a much needed boost towards the latter part of the run. They are however an acquired taste and I now general use a High-5 caffeine gel instead as I found the bloks a bit sickening. Recommend trying to try before you buy.


  • #5
    average_runner
    Registered Users Posts: 12,844 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    Bluesquare wrote: »
    Hi,

    Do people take caffeine during a marathon? In what format and when ? Trying to practice race day nutrition and not sure what my best options are . Have bought shot bloks with caffeine ?

    Thanks
    BS

    You can get gels with caffeine in it, but it only works if you don't really drink coffee!! If you drink coffee your body will be used to it.


  • #6
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 54,555 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Too much and you'd probably fail a dope test....:rolleyes:


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  • #7
    carbonceiling
    Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭carbonceiling


    walshb wrote: »
    Too much and you'd probably fail a dope test....:rolleyes:

    Caffeine isn't prohibited by WADA

    "Bupropion, caffeine, nicotine, phenylephrine,
    phenylpropanolamine, pipradrol, and synephrine: These
    substances are included in the 2019 Monitoring Program, and
    are not considered Prohibited Substances"

    I do drink Coffee but will take a caffeinated gel in the latter half of a long race or if I am out for a long bike ride for a few hours. I find it takes about 20 mins to kick in, but does provide a nice little boost. It's not a sudden boost, you just notice that you are tipping along nicely again, having flagged a little before the gel.


  • #8
    YFlyer
    Registered Users Posts: 9,717 ✭✭✭YFlyer


    walshb wrote: »
    Too much and you'd probably fail a dope test....:rolleyes:

    Not anymore.


  • #9
    Huzzah!
    Registered Users Posts: 1,799 ✭✭✭Huzzah!


    average_runner wrote: »
    You can get gels with caffeine in it, but it only works if you don't really drink coffee!! If you drink coffee your body will be used to it.

    For my one and only marathon, I cut down on caffeine in the week leading up to it and took caffeinated Tailwind from mile 18. I felt like a new woman when it hit my system but started to feel nauseous from mile 23 - not sure if I can pin that on the caffeine or not, though.


  • #10
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 54,555 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    YFlyer wrote: »
    Not anymore.

    Yes...true. I was being facetious. I remember in the early stages of testing in the 1980s, a few cups of coffeee could see you fail a test......


  • #11
    Evan Scully
    Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭Evan Scully


    Caffeine was on the banned list up until early 2000s.
    It helps for sure, but to get the best out of it, you should cut down for 2 weeks prior and then you'll get a better hit from it come race day.
    Its also worth noting that caffeine takes roughly 40mins to kick in. So taking a caffeinated gel at 22 miles will only mean you can put your clothes on faster! So time the intake of it.
    I have a 2 videos on my youtube channel about marathon nutrition and also caffeine (but i cant link it as I'm only new here)

    Evan


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  • #12
    Kellygirl
    Registered Users Posts: 3,020 ✭✭✭Kellygirl


    I’ve used the caffeine isogels in the past and found them good. I used one for both my half marathons this year.


  • #13
    Bluesquare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭Bluesquare


    Evan Scully wrote: »
    Caffeine was on the banned list up until early 2000s.
    It helps for sure, but to get the best out of it, you should cut down for 2 weeks prior and then you'll get a better hit from it come race day.
    Its also worth noting that caffeine takes roughly 40mins to kick in. So taking a caffeinated gel at 22 miles will only mean you can put your clothes on faster! So time the intake of it.
    I have a 2 videos on my youtube channel about marathon nutrition and also caffeine (but i cant link it as I'm only new here)

    Evan

    Hi Evan ,

    I’ve seen the video already- picked up the link from Facebook . Great info.

    Thanks
    BS


  • #14
    sideswipe
    Registered Users Posts: 2,431 ✭✭✭sideswipe


    I drink a lot of coffee 4/5 cups a day. For 3 weeks before a marathon I stop and go decaf. Then when I take a caffeinated gel in the later stages of my target marathon I can feel my body actually respond to the caffeine hit. I've tried not quitting caffeine in the run up and the perceived boost isn't there.


  • #15
    6run28
    Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭6run28


    sideswipe wrote: »
    I drink a lot of coffee 4/5 cups a day. For 3 weeks before a marathon I stop and go decaf. Then when I take a caffeinated gel in the later stages of my target marathon I can feel my body actually respond to the caffeine hit. I've tried not quitting caffeine in the run up and the perceived boost isn't there.

    No caffeine and tapering... Id be like the Hulk !


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