quote:<HR>Originally posted by Apple:
I am a coffee drinker and probably consume about 3 cups a day. I love good coffee and the stronger the better. Big Starrbucks fan!

Does a lot of caffeine have an impact on your running performance? Is it true caffeine will dehydrate you?

Kim
<HR>

Some research indicates that caffeine can give you a modest "boost" in training by increasing your endurance. This is probably not meaningful true for people who actually train and you would need a ton of coffee to make a positive difference in your training. But in any case it doesn't hurt. Coffee also has been found to have many other health benefits recently, so there isn't much danger in consuming it at the level you do, and perhaps a lot of benefit to be gained.

It's a myth that coffee and tea are dehydrating. The mild dehydrating effect of caffeine is more than made up for by the amount of liquid that caffeine comes in.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Apple:
I am a coffee drinker and probably consume about 3 cups a day. I love good coffee and the stronger the better. Big Starrbucks fan!

Does a lot of caffeine have an impact on your running performance? Is it true caffeine will dehydrate you?

Kim
<HR>

OK, what I've heard and read (NO, I'm not going to cite sources)...

Caffeine does indeed improve performance. BUT...only for those who are not caffeine users.

So...if you consume caffeine on a daily/regular basis, your Gu with caffeine in it plus your 8 cups of coffee does nothing for you.

If you do NOT consume caffeine on a regular basis, then it will make a difference.

I read recently that the boost coffee drinkers get in the morning is actually just relief from caffeine withdrawal and that after regular coffee use you don't see any real clarity, energy, etc.

That doesn't quell my 4-shot-of-espresso a day habit, tho.. . .

yeah, it is a bummer. . .always chasin' the experience of the first (caffeine) high. . . Wonder if it is the same with runner's high?