Cafeine yes or no? - General running

Controversial

24/07/2007 at 10:28

After reading the article about cafeine on the main page of RW web site I have got a question:
as many of us are not competing against anyone else than ourselves when running, what is the point of taking cafeine? are we not cheating ourselves?

Nam

24/07/2007 at 10:38

Most races are before my natural waking time which is approximately 12 noon....

So yes... yes... YES!!!

Wilkie

24/07/2007 at 10:41

Since caffiene (apparently) only makes it feel easier, cheating how? It doesn't make you faster, or fitter.

You could say then that using energy drinks, or gels is cheating.

Controversial

24/07/2007 at 10:45

Well as far as gels and energy drinks go, the body does need some energy and water to function, and after a while you do run out of energy so you need to refill, but for cafeine you really do not "need" it as such ...

Nam

24/07/2007 at 10:48

Red Bull... gives me wiiiings....

Chocolate Moose

24/07/2007 at 10:49

So here's the question...

Here are various substances that will, when used correctly in conjunction with an appropriate training regime, improve your athletic performance. They include:

Steroids,
Ephedra,
Caffeine,
Taurine,
Gin-seng,
Glucose,
Fruit & veg,
Lean meat, eg. steak.

Which ones are 'cheating', and why?

Controversial

24/07/2007 at 10:49

lol, but it is at berlin marathon that they had some refreshment stands on the course with red bull!!

Wilkie

24/07/2007 at 10:50

True..... but the caffeine only affects the perception of activity levels, not the reality.

Still, whichever it is, I do have a caffiene-laden soft drink before running after work, and it make the run more enjoyable.

Imski

24/07/2007 at 10:55

Training improves your performance as well.
Cheating, it is, I'm telling you!

PhilPub

24/07/2007 at 10:55

I use caffeine - because I like the taste of coffee with my porridge/bran flakes in the morning.

SuperCaz

24/07/2007 at 10:56

Caffeine upsets my stomach. I won't be taking it purely to shave a second or two off my times.

But it is an interesting arguement. When is any type of supplement or technological improvment classed as cheating (cheating yourself that is, rather than breaking competition rules)?

I have recently started taking glucosamine - is that cheating as it helps my joint recover quicker?

Sacco di Noci

24/07/2007 at 10:57

CM - I don't which of those are cheating necessarily, but I'd avoid anything that could cause longterm harm, i.e. steroids.

Controversial

24/07/2007 at 11:01

I guess there is a certain level of "reason what you take it". There are some medicines that are required when you are ill (for example for asthmatic people: salbutamol) that in case you are sane, improve your performance.
ANyone with asthma will take it because they need it, the others, well ...

Welsh Alex

24/07/2007 at 11:01

"Training improves your performance as well.
Cheating, it is, I'm telling you!"

Lol ! Brilliant :-)

I say a big yes to coffee.

Chocolate Moose

24/07/2007 at 11:53

Training is cheating! Brilliant!

I'm reminded of a line from a xenophobic song by Flanders & Swann. It's all about foreigners, and how, in sporting endeavour, they...
"...practise beforehand, which ruins the fun!"

Sacco di Noci

24/07/2007 at 11:56

If training is cheating, then I feel even more motivated to train now. It didn't seem so great when I thought it was an honest endeavour.

SGQ

30/07/2007 at 15:07

Not only that, but they say that you need to rest to get the benefit of your training, so that must be cheating, as well. So, whatever you are doing, you are cheating...

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