Is there a problem with using tylenol (not tylenol PM) in an IM race?
I am thinking in my special needs bag on the run for the back half of the 'thon
I know some pain killers are dangerous when used in endurance events
Thanks for your input
I believe that Tylenol could mask symptoms of some very serious problems you may be having that day. If your body is screaming at you in pain, there is a reason for it. Don’t ignore it. I am no doctor though so hopefully one of the MD’s will pipe in here. I would never try something like that.
I wouldn’t do it. Wouldn’t ever recommend it. I figure you’re putting your kidneys through enough hell that day, probably best not to really piss them off… Have to look at this event with some perspective. Risking kidney damage, which can be deadly, in order to not suffer as much in an event that you are electing to do for fun/hobby… Doesn’t seem worth it. This is coming from a guy who had the most miserable experience of my life during the IM marathon and survived.
Lehmkuhler
Actually, Tylenol should be fairly safe if you must in your special needs bag. At normal (or even double dose to 650mg), acetaminophen does not have the same effect on the kidneys (prostaglandin inhibition) that other NSAIDs do (i.e. ibuprofen, naprosyn, etc.) making dehydration and hyponatremia a serious issue
If your body is screaming at you in pain, there is a reason for it. Don’t ignore it.
Then how do you qualify for Kona? 
If your body is screaming at you in pain, there is a reason for it. Don’t ignore it.
Then how do you qualify for Kona?
Lottery 
you can call me old school - but even if nsaid are not on the doping list they are performance enhancing drugs (imho)!
your body gives you certain limitations - if those limitations cause pain anywhere during a race - that’s your limit.
for example i’d like to ride a more aggressive aero position but can’t bc the pain will significantly reduce my running speed.
how old school are you? can I wear running shoes? try running a triathlon w/o them and see if they don’t do something for your performance.
to my knowledge, everything I do related to training and racing enhances performance artificially - lighter/more aero bike, sunblock, vitamins, electrolytes, gels, gatorade, guiness after hard workouts (to make me forget the pain so I’ll do it again), 600 - 2400 mg ibuprofen per day to soothe the arthritis, … the list goes on.
my question is who can cast the first stone?
easy man - i’m just saying, that killing any uncomfort during a race with the help of drugs - who btw have side effects - has nothing to do with the spirit of triathlon and that is ALL imho!
i don’t judge anybody who does take drugs during a race, i just don’t do it (anymore). yes i did it - without thinking about it though …
how old school are you? can I wear running shoes? try running a triathlon w/o them and see if they don’t do something for your performance.
so why would epo be illegal?
Oh man
A simple question has turned sour
I don;t rely on them - and don;t plan on using them - but just in case - if at mile 13.1 - there is a killer headache developing from heat - which I am prone to from time to time - then one or two in the special needs bag serves two purposes
-
gets me to that bag faster
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helps with the pain - not stops it
sorry for raising this topic - how Tylenol turned into aeor bars and finally EPO is beyond me.
Maybe I should do the race on a razor scooter?
I’ve used pain medicine at races before and they’ve both helped and hurt. In one instance they gave me a slightly upset stomache. On the other hand, an Aleve or something similar can go a long way to decreasing muscle pain or stiffness. I think Gulf Coast Triathlon
(1/2IM) even had ibuprofin at the water stations.
I say put it in your bag just in case.
Geez - no kidding; dare I defect to Gordo’s again? Have a GREAT race. I’ll have some in my special needs bag at IMFL this year. IM distance events need some level headed thought and preparation and you sound like you are starting out well.
From personal experience, in an IM race I take 1 of those Tylenol 8-hour gelcaps before the race starts and I take another towards the end of the bike. I’m certainly no doctor, but I’m wary of taking NSAIDs before or during the race. It is my understanding that Tylenol is not an NSAID. As I indicated above, I live on a steady dose of ibuprofen, but I don’t take any after the morning of the day before the race. That said, I’ve read about, and discussed this with, many ultrarunners who take NSAIDs throughout the course of their extremely long trail runs.
Now, as far as epo goes,…
I’m certainly no doctor, but I’m wary of taking NSAIDs before or during the race. It is my understanding that Tylenol is not an NSAID.
Oh, it most certainly is!
I think Ibuprofen (a small amount) before a long race might be beneficial - if you do end up with a small injury, it will help control the inflammation. Tylenol is a better recovery NSAID, as it blocks the inflammatory cascade lower than Ibuprofen does, and thus lets a little more of the inflammatory response through which helps with recovery. Ibuprofen can actually slow recovery down.
AJ,
I’m always grateful to myself when I find that pack of Marlboros in my special needs bag at the halfway point. Sure, everyone looks at me pretty funny (especially in '02 when I forgot matches, and I had to run a mile and a half before I was finally able to find someone to bum a light from), but a few puffs and you’ll feel like a new man. “This is Marlboro Country.”
MC
too funny
I thought my favorite soft toy might attract negative comments
.
Thereis a great article on this topic in this month’s Runner’s World.
Oh, it most certainly is!
Acetaminophen is a non-opiod analgesic without anti-inflammatory effects, technically not an NSAID.
That is correct. Acetaminophen is NOT an NSAID (at low doses) - it can inhibit cyclooxegenase at very high doses though.
I stand corrected! Thank you.