Coffee before a run or not?

[shuffleido]

Does anyone on here believe that coffee gives you a boost to your running.

I had coffee this morning before my W6R2 run and didn't find it as difficult as I thought it would be. However for W6R1 I didn't and found it a real struggle.

So, is there something to be said for drinking the coffee 20 minutes before the run or is this just a coincidence??

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

I don't eat or drink until I'm finished and get home, not sure about others.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I sometimes have a coffee an hour or two before a late morning run - but that’s because I have one coffee a day in the morning!😋

Yes, I think it gives me a lift, but... I am always careful to drink plenty of water just after my coffee to counterbalance the dehydrating effect. That works fine an hour or two before the run, but 20 minutes before?? ... I would be running with my legs crossed!😂

I did notice in the book “Running like a Girl” the author talks about having a breakfast coffee before the London Marathon. 😄

[Tony1978 Graduate]

There’s a lot of stories going around coffee, as helping with the running, or with calories burning. Somehow I believe a caffeinated drink/tablet would improve one’s performance while one is going through the 15th mile of their marathon. I am convinced, though, that drinking coffee while running W6R1 is going to affect body hydration level, especially a strong one, so I have mine way after I’m done running. Safety first.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Try replacing the coffee with plain water and compare the effect.

As explained in this post about the crucial nature of hydration to runners healthunlocked.com/couchto5... coffee is a diuretic and will not hydrate you as efficiently as the same volume of water, although may provide other stimulant effects which help in some respects.

[shuffleido Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. Since starting C25K I make sure that I drink at least 2.5 litres of water a day. My bladder has now got used to this! 😄

[Cmoi Graduate]

I went out for a long run the other day and ended up having to stop for a roadside pee in the middle of the forest, having had a coffee maybe 30 minutes before setting out. Water is way better for me.

[BradC Graduate]

For me running on an empty stomach would definitely not work. I always have a good slice of toast and marmalade, a large mug of strong tea, a smaller mug of instant coffee and half a mug of water just before I set off, which is after enough time has elapsed after the toast😉

This works fine for me. I have drunk so much tea and instant coffee over the years I’m sure my body has long been used to it! ☕️