70.3 - 5 hour energy. before the bike.

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You don't have to like what I say but you should respect my right to say them and I'll do the same to you.

I get on The Bull in my special needs bag on the run at Ironman. I haven't used it at a 70.3, but wouldn't hesitate to at the half way point of the run.

Word of warning: If you haven't tried it in training and don't drink Red Bull occaisionally to gauge your reaction, never try anything new like this on race day.

I know Red Bull isn't entirely... healthy. The taurine in it does seem to have an effect on my alertness though, and it makes me feel better during a race- even if it a placebo of something small to look forward to at the special needs bag pick up area.

If that isn't reason enough, there is always this:

http://www.bing.com/...VR28&adlt=strict

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

At the same point that I start drinking vodka...

I tried it only once so far. In my first HIM after the halfway point of the run. I never tried it before during a run, and I knew that it might screw up.
But back then I was so beaten up, that I just couldn't resist the sweet taste of a red bull :-) I just wanted to be finished and this red bull at least got me some mental motivation.
Even though as expected, my stomach rebelled. And I even had problems after the run. Would I have done better or worse with out it, I'm not sure. Back then in the race it felt right.

I am debating if I should try flat coke in training, but red bull won't happen anymore. For me the danger of an upset stomach is just to big.
But as another post suggested, try it on one of your tempo runs and you'll find out if it is for you...

I found this interesting. Crowie spoke at last years Buffalo Springs 70.3 and said Red Bull is what he carries in his Fuel Belt.

At last years tough man half it was sponsored by red bull.
So after the bike they handed it out and I definitely needed it.
Never used it in training before but drink it on occassion.

Maybe ill add it to my special needs too

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

Agreed. I can't stand the carbonation. Do they have a flat Red Bull option, Flat Bull?

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Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

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.

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Citizen of the world, former drunkard. Resident Traumatic Brain Injury advocate.

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

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DFRU - Detta Family Racing Unit...the kids like it and we all get out and after it...gotta keep the fam involved!

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.

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.

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You don't have to like what I say but you should respect my right to say them and I'll do the same to you.

you know there is a 17 hour limit in IM's right? At least five gets you right through to the next day :)

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Rather than look back and say "why?", look forward and say "why not?!"

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)

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You don't have to like what I say but you should respect my right to say them and I'll do the same to you.

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

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DFRU - Detta Family Racing Unit...the kids like it and we all get out and after it...gotta keep the fam involved!

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!

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"I like you. I'll gladly sit down and have dinner with you after the race. But when the gun goes off, I pretty much hate you, and I want to stomp your guts out. That's racing." -Rappstar

http://train4autism.org/

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.

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Nobody's constipated on race morning

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.