I agree with DDX. Plus, it usually upsets people's stomachs. Save it for after the race (if needed).

I used to take it before my xc meets this past seasons because, I fell on a fence the night before my first meet of the season and I was in some pain, but after the first couple I kept taking it just in case I ever felt anything. But, my coaches have told me that taking ibuprophen before races is actually bad for you, having to take sumthing to dull pain means you shouldn't be running to begin with, don't run with pain killers, they aren't going to help you with anything other than further injuring yourself. You have to learn to push your self without a little bit of aid.

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SXC Rocks!!!!!!!!!
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." _{Steve Prefontaine
"Good teams become great ones, when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for we."}
Phil Jackson

Sparks77[/URL" target="_blank">

i've tried your trick, and trust me, it's not worth it. i cramped up in the last 75m of my 400m and almost lost the race. and after that, i was sick for almost 3 days. though it may have helped my phycologically, (thinking that the pills would help me on) it's not worth it in the long stretch. so, if ur gunna take the pills, wait til after the run, and only if you're in immense pain.

From running times :

Should I take them NSAIDs like Ibuprofen before running?

A huge number of runners do so without negative effect, which is a pretty good indication that they are safe if taken at the recommended dosages. Personal experience can be your guide as to whether you tolerate them while running. But do be cautious: by that I mean don?t take more than the recommended dose and make sure your doctor knows you run and how much. And go to your doctor with any questions, weird experiences or symptoms

One condition that runners often experience is dehydration, during which taking NSAID?s can be particularly dangerous. In instances where kidney function is already compromised, high doses of NSAID?s are taken, or dehydration is severe, serious consequences can occur.

A common concern with any pain reliever is whether it may mask pain indicating a new or exacerbated injury. In contrast to drugs like morphine, codeine and other opiates, this is not too great a concern with NSAID?s, as they only block the pain associated with prostaglandins. If you stick yourself with a needle, or sprain your ankle while taking NSAID?s, you?ll still feel it and it will still be painful.