Is drinking a can of energy drink before a Triathlon stupid?
Posted by Ray Gill
Filed under Triathlon Answers
Ok ok yea. I gess it is stupid.
But you know… freuitless hope.
But seriously, ive heard famous atheletes drink a can of monster before a race and they do fine
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No, not if you think it helps. I’d be a little wary about consuming too much fluid immediately before any athletic pursuit, you tend to get that ‘bloated’ feeling. Your stomach takes some time to empty & the sugars (which is pretty much what all ‘energy’ drinks contain) to be absorbed into your blood stream. Experiment a little & decide what suits you. Be wary of trying anything for the 1st time on race day….try everything in training 1st, you don’t want any nasty surprises when it counts
It’s not a good idea IMO. Your body may go into shock with the sugar rush. It may give you an energy burst for a short time, but then you’ll "crash" when the sugar wears off. Caffeine can give you a sense of mental alertness (like how coffee wakes you up) which can also help you focus. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which increases the rate of losing fluid. This coupled with sweating from heavy exercise causes increased dehydration which can lead to cramps and other complications.
I believe some athletes may drink energy drinks because their sponsored. Others who do may have to consistently drink them during the event to keep their "high" coupled with lots of water to keep from dehydrating.
Water is the best cure!
Good luck!
most energy drinks in cans are a joke. They’re simply soft drinks with even more sugar than usual.
Try something proper and a bit less cola. I love the Torq stuff, but don’t drink loads before swimming or hard excercise for the usual reasons, cramp, bloating etc.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Torq-Natural-Energy-Drinks_16088.htm
Yes , it is not a good idea, others have posted the reasons so I will not re hash them. Here is an interesting story from a race late last year. One of the racers is sponsored by one of the "energy drink" companies. He is always seen drinking one right at the beginning of a race, Here’s where it gets interesting, you never see him open the drink it is always handed to him open. A friend who was spectating later, after the start, saw the person who handed him the drink pour it out on the ground, the drink can was full of water. The energy drink if it was in the can would of poured a different and distinctive color.
it is all personal opinion. I like fooling around before my races and joking around because it keeps me relaxed.
If it helps it helps no one can say it is stupid unless you complain about it later for messing up your stomach or something.
I like drinking gatorade before my races the sugar gets me going. But that does not mean it is ok for everyone.
Yes. Its stupid.
Tried it once before a race – I was running late, and hadn’t had a chance to have my usual two cups of coffee. Red Bull was handing out free samples at the race site, so I thought it might do the job.
I had heart palpitations all through the swim, and a couple miles into the bike. Probably cost me a podium spot because I held the speed down until everything settled.