Ever got the Employee of the Month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there? I read this online recently, and chuckled. Everyone who works with me, knows that I don't function until after the first (the most important) coffee of the day.
But how can coffee help you with your training?
Well, a perfectly brewed cortado, (espresso with the perfect amount of hot milk) can be a little tricky to come by when three quarters through a marathon...
Enter: Caffeinated Gels!
There's a great variety of brands. Which tastes and works the best? Press play to find the answer:
A little extra shot of caffeine can definitely help not only with your race time, but also to make the experience more fun / less painful.
But please remember to drink water too! Otherwise you will be cursing me when your tummy cramps up.
Wishing you a wizzzzzingly fast next run ;)
Dipika
Buy a Triple Shot – Explode down the street!
Buy a Double Shot – Wake Up
Buy a Single Shot – Perk up
Leave a Comment
Jo joAugust 1, 2014 at 2:49pm
Question I have been drinking coffee for a long time and found that it picks me when excercising -this caffeine gel works the same way? ReplyDipika SmithAugust 1, 2014 at 4:38pm
Hi Jo, yes that's correct. But I would still say, that if you have your coffee before you go out running, then stick to that. A good high quality blend of coffee is a healthier option in comparison with a gel. The gels are just such a good 'on the run' way to help us on those longer runs. ReplyLiamAugust 1, 2014 at 3:20pm
There are an awful lot of caffeine products advertised here and there is very little science to support the claim. Caffeine can cause sleeplessness and is a stimulant. It is banned in excessive amounts for reasons. It increases sensitivity to pain too. I have no doubt that it can make you feel like you are running faster and are stronger, but would not support its use to enhance perfomance. You are better off getting a good night's sleep and avoiding the highs and lows of stimulated neuropathy. ReplyDipika SmithAugust 1, 2014 at 4:40pm
Hey Liam, I completely agree-if we lived in an ideal world, and we all had a wonderful night's sleep every night, then caffeine wouldn't be needed. But sometimes we all need a little bit of help :) ReplyJean ClaudioFebruary 28, 2019 at 8:03am
Well, cafeine is just a help to increase your metabolism, help your heart and blood system for exercise, to be alert and warm body specially for cold days, just for running or exercise. take some, no more than 250 mg (maybe two cups) 30 minutes or one hour before exercise if you are an beginning runner, and no more than 400 if you are experienced in cofee. But stop taking it when you reach up two months continiuously. And only take it in the mornings or afternoon or early evening, never at nights, four hours before sleeping time. And it is strongly contraindicated for people with heart problems or high blood pressure. We all have taken cofee at any time, so it`s common. A little help is good, but do it with responsability! I am not a physician, I only recommend my experience as physical trainer. Good luck! ReplyDipika SmithMarch 4, 2019 at 4:52pm
Hi Jean,
ReplyThanks for the comment.
Absolutely. We are all unique and so each one of us needs to listen to our own bodies for best results.
Stephen CampbellAugust 1, 2014 at 5:51pm
Great video Dipika! You have inspired me to try some of the caffeinated products ReplyDipika SmithAugust 2, 2014 at 11:28am
Thanks Stephen, so happy :) Enjoy them ;) Reply