I use it all the time in training and racing. Special needs in IM and before the run in 1/2’s. Not for everyone but I look forward to it. Also have one before the race. Tom, curious why you think your alertness is due to the Taurine when that drink is loaded with caffeine?
I like flat coke better, i have a very sensitive digestive system and red bull is a gamble at times. Flat coke is always a good option about 60% or so through the run.
Ironman: in the morning before the swim & bike special needs & T2 & Run special needs.
70.3: in the morning before the swim and T2
I like flat coke better, i have a very sensitive digestive system and red bull is a gamble at times. Flat coke is always a good option about 60% or so through the run.
Agreed. I can’t stand the carbonation. Do they have a flat Red Bull option, Flat Bull?
70.3. I have about a can and a hal during the 2nd half of the bike, and have a bottle of it in my fuelbelt for the 2nd half of the run
So in exchange for taking my money and not giving me the opportunity to buy a Kona spot (aka Kona Lottery) WTC sent me the Kona 2010 dvd yesterday. Watched it (had already seen it on youtube, but the Ford commercials come out so much better in full dvd resolution), and noticed that 80-year old Lew Hollander in his interview claims he never eats anything he can’t identify the ingredients of. Then later he’s showing off the contents of his special needs bag: a potato (maybe more), and a can of Red Bull. So I guess you’re good.
70.3 - 5 hour energy. before the bike.
X 2 IM in swim/bike bag and bike/run. 5 hour was great, no reaction what so ever. Had redbull at turn and threw the bottle. Just wasn’t what I wanted…
Brent
I have used it but find carrying Vivarin is simpler more convenient means of getting caffeine when I need it during a race. Carrying a water bottle full of Red Bull on the bike is quite good assuming you carry 2 bottles so you always have sports drink or water in the other… I’m not afraid to use a good bit of caffeine racing. Whenever you need a kick in the ass it’ll help a little. More on the bike than the run though. Eventually fatigue seems to win out then it’s all about hardening up.
70.3 - 5 hour energy. before the bike.
X 2 IM in swim/bike bag and bike/run. 5 hour was great, no reaction what so ever. Had redbull at turn and threw the bottle. Just wasn’t what I wanted…
Brent
For my first IM there will be at least 5 on hand. Ive previously always done them on the bike, but maybe before the swim for a swim that long. Need to train that way at the pool and in OW races prior to test it out. I can say every time Ive ever taken it ive never had a bad reaction.
you know there is a 17 hour limit in IM’s right? At least five gets you right through to the next day 
you know there is a 17 hour limit in IM’s right? At least five gets you right through to the next day
I figure i’ll want to tell the stories of my epic adventure for a few hours after the race;) So should I measure out half of the 4th one to be sure Ive got 17 hours worth in stock?
(I just figured 5 was a good safe number from a backup standpoint)
I don’t notice weird feelings that other drinks give me, just more alert. I probably will have a third in special needs at the turn, but that would be it I think. Might have one at the bike/run for my halfs this year, with one before the race perhaps? We’ll see…
Brent
I used 5 in both of my last IMs. Granted during the race about 1/2 of each can was splattered all over me or anyone near me.
Personally I think it’s vial crap, if you get it on you it will make you sticky forever and it taste like carbinated poop.
That being said I crewed the badwater ultra for a friend a couple years ago and he packed a buch of bull in the cooler. He told me “if I start riding the redbull train it has to continue until the finish or I will bonk and die a horrible death when it wears off”. he hit the bull with 25 miles to go and used it until the finish. He finished in 45 hours.
I do Red Bull shots during HIM 2oz mini bottles with a concentrated kick and from what i remeber they are relativley flat. If not you can de-gas them. I take 3: 30 min b4 the swim, t1, t2.
I had flat ones in my fuel belt for the run. Worked great!
I put a frozen one in my IM special needs bike bag at the morning drop off. Depending on the weather, it’s just a nice, cold, pick-me-up that works great. Haven’t used it on HIM’s, though. Infinit works fine on those distances for me.
I like a defizzed RedBull, opened the night before and left in the refrig. A defizzed RedBull /Gatorade cocktail on the bike or while running goes down well. A can of RB coming out of T2 worked well for me.
In New Orleans HIM i had a great result with a red bull in t2 and a vivarin at mile 8 of the run. Felt great and finished stronger than ever.
I havent tried redbull, but got talked into putting a monster green in my aero bottle last year for a sprint. It was a bad idea that became even worse when both of the bottles in my behind the seat cages launched on a speed bump and there were no aid stations for the bike. My fault for letting a buddy talk me into something on race day that I hadnt trained with though- live & learn. I do like a little flat coke on the run for 1/2IM and longer.