I struggled with this for my A race last year...dropped it about two weeks out. It really helped me gauge my actual level of tiredness/fatiue better. In addition it helped with my hydration levels, dropping 2-3 cups a day of a diuretic was a good choice for me. I could judge my hydration levels more accurately. I never drink coffee prior to a race so cannot comment on the "super charge" effect.

Peter Reid stops drinking or taking in any coffee/caffeine during his hardest weeks of training. Then, on race morning, he drinks coffee. Obviously, it works for him to get a race day kick start.

I completely knocked out coffee for 10 days before IM LOU. last year and had some good strong coffee race morning, and used it as always during the race. I honestly did not notice any huge increased BANG above normal. Maybe a little. It helped get out of a couple holes during the race, but it usually does regardless of wether I tapered it or not. I won't taper it again. My coffee tastes too dam good to not drink it.