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Click to view danadear's profile Legend 376 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Aug 10, 2007 11:14 AM

Pre-run/Run/Post-run drinks?

The accelerade thread has my head spinning. I am wondering what most people use and when. It seems that some use something before a run, some during a run, and some after a run for recovery. All three? Only one or two? What do you use? I normally just hydrate before a run, water and maybe an S-cap and maybe shot blox during a run and nothing special after a run. I feel like I'm missing out here. Can anyone make suggestions of a strategy without really promoting brands?
Click to view gbroooks's profile Amateur 29 posts since
Jul 19, 2007
1. Aug 10, 2007 11:25 AM in response to: danadear
What works for me is to hydrate regularly - especially in the 24-48 hours before a long run. Based on water.

Under 12 miles, I have a water fountain at mile 4 on my out and back - I usually just hit that for a few sips at mile 4 and then again at mile 8. I don't use gels on anything 12 or under. If the long run is over 12 miles, I hydrate during with water and/or sports drink - whatever is in my fridge. I use a flask belt.

After hard or long runs, I use a recovery drink (intervals, tempos, or long). Anything with a good mix of protein to carbs will work - even rich chocolate Ovaltine.

That's my basic plan...
Click to view Stevie Ray Lopez's profile Legend 532 posts since
Dec 3, 2007
2. Aug 10, 2007 12:06 PM in response to: danadear
Kind of hard to say what I do without promoting (?) brands.

Anyway, pre-run, I don't do anything special. Downing a cup or a bottle of liquid right before I run just means I'll have to pee soon thereafter. If it is a long run, marathon, or ultra, I'll drink two cups of coffee. I have long experience that tells me that it does NOT dehydrate me (caffeine is a funky substance that acts different w/ different people). It does help me, uh, do the other kind of potty before I head out.

During the run. If it is shorter than 45 minutes, I don't drink. If it is 45-60ish minutes, water. Longer than 60 minutes, HEED. If it is a marathon, whatever they have... unless it is Ultima. I won't drink that nastiness. For ultras, Perpetuem.

After the run. Good ol' chocolate milk.
Click to view AKTrail's profile Legend 360 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Aug 10, 2007 12:30 PM in response to: danadear
You didn't say how long (duration) a run, but if your using S!caps, I'm assuming it's at least a couple hours long - or you're pre-hydrating with water, which will dilute your electrolytes. You'll also have to figure out what works for you.

I just drink enough (usually water) in the few hours (or minutes) before I head out for any run, that I'm not thirsty to start. I do not want to dilute electrolytes.

For runs in the 1-1.5 hr range in summer and 1-2ish hr range in winter, I'll generally use a sports drink (mostly for flavor, some carbs, and it usually has some protein and electrolytes but that's not that big a deal for short runs; I use cytomax). Beyond 3 hr, I'll use a drink with complex carbs and electrolytes - and usually protein and some fat. The ones I use are designed for many hours of running (Succeed Ultra and Clip2, but there are others). I may also use something like Slimfast during the run for a non-fruity tasting drink that neutralizes some of the acid from fruity stuff.

I'm not a heavy sweater, esp. in cooler temps, so I may depend on the sports drink or food (like wheat thins or Clif shot bloks esp. margarita flavor with more electrolytes) and just use S!caps as needed - maybe once an hour during hot weather, maybe once every few hours in cool rainy weather.

It's also important to know your sweat rate and how much fluid is needed to prevent dehydration without being overhydrated. Weigh yourself naked before and after a run under various conditions to get a handle on this. For myself, I rarely lose over 1 lb in an hour; others may loose a couple pounds or more. Much of the year, I can plan on 10oz of fluid per hour, depending on what I'm doing, but plan on 20oz/hr in summer heat.

Afterwards depending on whether home or needing to drive 1 hr to get home and the temperatures, I may use Slimfast (yes, I like chocolate milkshakes), chocolate milk (syrup added to regular milk), or hot cocoa. I've used ovaltine in the past, but prefer hot cocoa or chocolate milk.

But that's me. YMMV.
Click to view GOLFNSKI's profile Pro 104 posts since
Oct 28, 2007
4. Aug 10, 2007 1:02 PM in response to: danadear
I like post run weight loss chocolate shakes too, but beware of taking before or during a run or you may get the runs! I had to do it twice just to make sure the first time wasn't another cause. Nope, that was it. Cheers.
Click to view AKTrail's profile Legend 360 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Dec 26, 2007 5:30 AM in response to: danadear
quote:<HR>Originally posted by GOLFNSKI:
I like post run weight loss chocolate shakes too, but beware of taking before or during a run or you may get the runs! I had to do it twice just to make sure the first time wasn't another cause. Nope, that was it. Cheers.<HR>

Drinks like Slimfast are quite popular with ultra runners DURING races - that includes both fast and slow runners. I haven't completed an ultra, but have been using slimfast in one of my bladders on long runs (sports drink in other). Ensure is also used, but I seem to hear of more digestive issues with it than with Slimfast. YMMV. I know things that some people drink regularly make me sick thinking about them.

http://This message has been edited by AKTrail (edited Aug-10-2007).
Click to view kron090's profile Amateur 17 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
6. Aug 10, 2007 1:36 PM in response to: danadear
sort of new to the energy gel s- cap thing. If you are popping electrolyte caps do you go with plain water or do you still take a sports drink? Do you mix gels and sports drinks? Gels and electrolyte caps? or is it just one and no others?
Click to view wing zero's profile Pro 79 posts since
Jan 30, 2007
7. Aug 10, 2007 2:59 PM in response to: danadear
I am a big fan of
Cytomax sport drink for before and during runs
and Cytomax Recovery drink for after hard runs.
Click to view AKTrail's profile Legend 360 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
8. Aug 10, 2007 3:49 PM in response to: danadear
quote:<HR>Originally posted by kron:
sort of new to the energy gel s- cap thing. If you are popping electrolyte caps do you go with plain water or do you still take a sports drink? Do you mix gels and sports drinks? Gels and electrolyte caps? or is it just one and no others?<HR>

Mix and match to your hearts content, although if you take in carbs (like gels), you might need a less concentrated drink or water. I believe the optimum ratio for processing carbs is about 6%, which is how many sports drinks are designed.

You need fluids, electrolytes, and energy - about in that order of priority. How you get them is up to you. Some prefer water, gels that are only carbs, and electrolyte capsules so they can vary ratios according to their needs that day. Others prefer a sports drink that has most of the stuff then add electrolyte caps or food (gels or real stuff or whatever) as needed. Food can include electrolytes. I frequently use wheat thins on my long runs rather than capsules - or besides capsules on hot days.

Learn to read labels so you can see what each product you use is providing. Track what you use in your log so you start getting a handle on what works and what doesn't.
Click to view rochey's profile Legend 213 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
9. Aug 10, 2007 8:33 PM in response to: danadear
You kind of have to experiment until you find what you like.

The night before a long run I usually drink a full 20 oz bottle of water and 20oz of Ultrafuel (I just switched to HEED). The morning of, I have a cup of coffee and then sip on either water or UF on my way to the run. During the run, I drink Gatorade (yuck) that someone has already planted, then my own UF that I planted, and then another shot of Gatorade at around mile 10. If it's longer than 16mi or so, I'll carry my belt and just drink my UF. Going forward I will be using Perpetuem for my marathon training. I usually take one gel before I run and one about halfway through. This may seem like overkill on the gel for some, but I have found it helps me recover quicker.

Post-workout, I had been using Endurox R4 but just switched to Recoverite. I thought the Endurox worked fine, but I like the taste (or lack thereof) of the Recoverite better.

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