Does anybody take anything heading into (and throughout) the run at an IM? I never have, but I’ve heard of people popping Ibuprofin or Motrin thoughout the day, and especially the run? They swear by it.
Experiences?
I never have. It doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. What would the purpose be? What are you hoping to achieve by doing this?
I am not a medical expert, but I think I have read a few articles about how this is a bad thing. Maybe I even read something like this here (ST), I can’t remember.
True story. My friend Tim and I were doing a marathon last year. At 13 miles I pulled ahead slightly and kept my lead. At a turnaroud at mile 21, I saw he was a good mile or so behind me and looked like crap. I truly wondered if he was going to finish the run. Mile 24 I look back and he’s starting to gain on me. Mile 25 he passes me and finishes about 2 minutes ahead. He tells me that a while earlier a woman saw he was struggling and gave him some ibuprofrin. Obviously it worked for him.
I’ve not used any on the run but will take some with me at IMLOU, mainly because I’m afraid my broken toe will flair up. I’ll put them, along with tums and endurolytes, in a plastic bag and keep it in my tri-shorts pockets.
Midway through the bike and run. I’ll take 3 ibuprofin at 56 on the bike with my salt tabs and again either starting or a couple miles into the run.
What would the purpose be? What are you hoping to achieve by doing this?
It’s regular practice for endurance racers. I’ve heard of 24hr MTB racers and adventure racers taking a steady dose of ibuprofin or Motrin throughout the race to manage pain and reduce swelling…keeps them going. Some friends told me they also do it for IM, which makes sense. I’m just wonderring about what people take, and moreso about the timing, in an IM.
Never really gave it any thought until I found a pill case in the transition area after a half IM. This thing was loaded! Advil, alleve, tylenol, you name it and it was in there. I have since heard that some people use these meds during the run to mask the pain/discomfort.
Here is why I don’t use them during activity:
- No pain. I will take 2 baby aspirin after an especially tough Brick or race. I do this to minimize the inflammation and allow the body to start to recover.
- Gastro-intestinal issues. NSAIDs affect my stomach.
- Fear of taxing the liver and kidneys. I would rather have a little pain than risk organ damage.
If you use them, be sure to first try them in your training events.
I take salt pills and the occasional caffeine pill.
endurolytes, in a plastic bag
What do others carry their endurolytes in during a race. Hammer provides a “dispenser” which is actually a coin purse. I found that moisture was able to get in it. I’ve been using a small Tums bottle with a flip top…very convenient and keeps em dry.
I use sports legs also (endurolytes being the other). snack size zip lock.
So managing pain and reducing swelling is the goal? Is there a performance benefit as well?
Still doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. I have to think that proper training and preparation is a better route to take than relying on ibuprofen on race day. That, or maybe choosing a shorter distance to participate in.
I use the little “jewelers” 3 inch zip lock bags. I just bite the top and rip off the zip lock and then slide the pills out with my teeth and then stash all back in my pocket.
Tic Tac container,
tfun~
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Please don’t use Ibuprofin orAsperin. Paracetamol (Tylenol) should be the endurance athlete’s pain reliever of choice
The amazing Gordo wrote about stomach bleeding and NSAID use in endurance events. That was enough for me to not use them before, during or after a race or big workout.
The person with the story about their friend who took some and then started running fast, seems a little strange. There could have been caffeine in the product and the slowdown may have permitted them to recover their legs and put in a strong final 1/3 of the race.
Dumping cold/ice water on your muscles seems like a better idea.
I used motrin during my first ultramarathon, seemed to help quite a bit. My second, the aid stations had it available but I never felt I needed it. I would use it again in a long race but only as needed, I wouldn’t use it as a “planned” thing like my nutrition, I see no point in putting things in my body that are unecessary.
The person with the story about their friend who took some and then started running fast, seems a little strange.
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Perhaps there was some caffeine in what he took. Or maybe he was just playing me 
1000mg tylenol in t-0 and t-2
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I would use it again in a long race but only as needed,
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My thoughts as well.
have you got a link to this?
I take salt pills
A woman at IMFL a few years back saved my race when I was cramping big time in the first half of the run. She gave me some salt pills and the cramps went away. I now carry more than I need in case I run into someone in a similar situation.