Why would an average marathon runner such as Claire Squires take drugs to...

As like LTS above I have not read the full thread.

Given the size of any race you will have any number of runners' on drugs of some sort for bona-fide health reasons. Most of those drugs will be illegal for 'athletic' purposes. If I am placed 2000 in a marathon I don't care if the runner 1999 had a drug I just say "Well done" . It is none of my business what other runners need to keep them healthy and participate in sport. It is not for me to say that is misuse. Of course I don't want somebody dropping dead but people can drop dead without being on drugs.

The athletes participate at their own risk and I am sure organisers are aware and assume that participants understand what they are doing. In the athletic world the only real interest is in the 'elite' and the 'young pretenders'.

Anyway I ran Manchester some years ago and much to my dismay itbs started about halfway. I stopped at St John Ambulance hoping someone might help (e.g. massage) - they all looked at each other blankly but one young girl enthusiastically jumped up and shouted "Vaseline!".  Made my day, I laugh about it even now.

Very good point Xine.

And David, if you really think that someone with chafing, or beeding nipples should "man up" rather than popping over for some vaseline and a plaster, and you also think that if they do they are "not worthy" of their place then you really are a kn*b. But then I've said that twice now. I'd rather not say it a third time but I will if I have to.

By the way, apart from anything else, the VLM is run in great spirit by runners of ages and abilities. One thing I have to say about you is that with your attitude, even if you do get a place one day, you won't fit in. It might stop you whingeing though, which would be something to be thankful for.

I can't believe you called me a kn*b twice in one thread ..... that doesn't sound like very lady-like behaviour!

When I ran VLM and saw those very intimidating SJA people in uniforms with rubber gloves holding large lumps of vaseline and evil smiles on their faces,I ran to the other side of the road as I thought they were going to tell me to pull my shorts down and bend over.........

By the way, should I stop using gels with caffeine as I have an enlarged heart-caused by running lots , my consultant cardiologist told me?

I'm not sure that adding a stimulant into the mix during a race when your heart is already working hard is the wisest thing ,but please check with your cardiologist!

Im not being funny but why do people think you need caffeine during a marathon ....... your heart is already racing. Yes you need energy, but you don't need a stimulant. It does make you wondr how many other people are out there doing these kind of things just assuming 'If I take caffeine, its the same as energy, therefore it will be good for me.'

2oldnever wrote (see)

When I ran VLM and saw those very intimidating SJA people in uniforms with rubber gloves holding large lumps of vaseline and evil smiles on their faces,I ran to the other side of the road as I thought they were going to tell me to pull my shorts down and bend over.........

I once had a prostate exam by a doctor who I later found out had the nickname of 'Fast finger Freddy' ...... it turns out it was a well deserved nickname.

I take caffiene gels as they do not provide coca cola and i can't go more than a couple of hours awake without some

seren nos wrote (see)

I take caffiene gels as they do not provide coca cola and i can't go more than a couple of hours awake without some

seren nos wrote (see)

I take caffiene gels as they do not provide coca cola and i can't go more than a couple of hours awake without some

But all caffeine does is speed up your nervous system, your nervous system is already up and about (kind of hard to be sleep walking your way around a marathon course).

Slow release energy, not caffeine is what you want.

There are some studies on caffeine as a supplement to aid endurance - hence the reason it is popping up in lots of gels now.

I believe it is said to improve fat metabolism thereby prolonging glycogen stores - but I haven't looking into it much as I cannot tolerate caffeine whilst exercising.

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

Im not being funny but why do people think you need caffeine during a marathon ....... your heart is already racing. Yes you need energy, but you don't need a stimulant. It does make you wondr how many other people are out there doing these kind of things just assuming 'If I take caffeine, its the same as energy, therefore it will be good for me.'

(I'm not an expert, but...) in the latter stages of a marathon, when you start to fatigue it can actually be a struggle to maintain a particular heart rate, so for the healthy person there probably aren't any dangers in this regard from taking a caffeinated gel, which will provide a stimulus to make you more alert (thereby counteracting the depletion of glycogen supply from the liver to the brain) as well as giving you a boost of energy.  As far as I'm aware, that's the theory unless anyone knows any better. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7657415

very fast google

so where does this put my Clif Shot Bloks in the range of nutrition/stimulants.

As far as i can tell they contain a bit of sugar, caffeine and salt. and not much of that, for the price. i guess if i ate 20 packs of them in a race it might send my HR up a bit.

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

But all caffeine does is speed up your nervous system, your nervous system is already up and about (kind of hard to be sleep walking your way around a marathon course).

 

That's precisely the point for the stimulant.  Sleep walking is the very experience you have when you genuinely "hit the wall" during the marathon, i.e. the point at which the brain starts running low on glycogen being supplied by the liver. 

Sussex Runner (NLR) wrote (see)

It really crazy and bewildering that people think they need stimulants to run a marathon but if you look on threads such as the Brighton marathon you will find all these self appointed experts ( having ran last years in 6 hours) advocating caffeine drinks and popping Ibuprofen along the way.

There are an awful lot of mugs out there that take everything at face value and never question anything

But doesn't Coke + painkillers get you high?  Maybe that makes the race more enjoyable

Does no-one read the science?  Or have you all got me on ignore?

The benefits of caffeine is not the 'stimulate' part - necessarily - it's the 'release the fat' part.

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

It does make you wondr how many other people are out there doing these kind of things just assuming 'If I take caffeine, its the same as energy, therefore it will be good for me.'

Caffeine is said to increase the early release and mobility of free fatty acids into the blood, which helps to increase muscle fat oxidation and lower carbohydrate oxidation.  Therefore, muscle glycogen is spared and can be used for later use during exercise. So, yes, in that sense, in moderation, it is 'good' for them.

David - can I ask how many marathons you have run?

Sorry - x post there GymAddict.