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?
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 ...
Here are various substances that will, when used correctly in conjunction with an appropriate training regime, improve your athletic performance. They include:
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?
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 ...
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!"
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...
Comments
So yes... yes... YES!!!
You could say then that using energy drinks, or gels is cheating.
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?
Still, whichever it is, I do have a caffiene-laden soft drink before running after work, and it make the run more enjoyable.
Cheating, it is, I'm telling you!
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?
ANyone with asthma will take it because they need it, the others, well ...
"Training improves your performance as well.
Cheating, it is, I'm telling you!"
Lol ! Brilliant :-)
I say a big yes to coffee.
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!"