GUEST POST:HOW COFFEE HELPS YOU RUN

“As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?” 

~ Cassandra Clare, 'City of Ashes'

Today's post is brought to you buy the folks over at Running Stats, a website dedicated to sharing valuable information with runners on a wide range of running related topics.  I love to run and you know I love coffee, so I was more than thrilled when they offered to provide specific information on how coffee HELPS YOU RUN.  Not that I needed any more reasons to enjoy my post-run (ok, fine and pre-run) drink of choice, but I'm not sad to know that my coffee drinking habits might actually be working in my favor.  Feel free to read on and decide for yourself.  In the meantime, I'm going to go pour myself a second cup.

WHY COFFEE HELPS YOU RUN

Written By: Bethany Widdicombe at Running Stats

For years people have commented that coffee was bad for runners.  Rumors of caffeine dehydrating a person kept many athletes away from their morning beverage of choice.  In reality, a cup of coffee can actually enhance your running.

Coffee Boosts Your Brain

Caffeine has the ability to stimulate your body to alertness, which many people seek on tired days.  Your brain can send faster signals to your muscles after drinking coffee, which can increase your muscle response time while running.  Drinking a cup of coffee an hour before you run for your daily workout, or on race day, can help boost your running time by connecting your brain to your movement better.

Coffee also can improve your mood.  If you are a regular coffee drinker, you may be very familiar with the grumpiness that comes before your cup of coffee.  Rather than yelling at the car that cut you off, you will be able to calmly move about your run after your morning cup of coffee.  Don’t hesitate about the drink you love, be bold in the fact that it actually helps you.

Coffee also lowers your perception of fatigue, and can give you the boost you need on tough days.  Whether you are going out to conquer a few miles, or are training for a race, coffee can help you feel better and run faster.

Image Credit: petitepacer.com

Coffee Helps You Recover

When paired with carbohydrates, caffeine decreases your recovery time by replacing muscle glycogen at a faster rate.  Meaning, you can spend more time training and less time recovering from injury.  Experts say that all you need is 6 milligrams of caffeine for every kilogram of body weight (or 3.5 ounces for every 2.2 pounds).  Having any more caffeine than what your body needs is not proven to be effective.

Studies have shown that coffee can also help fight against inflammatory properties, which can prevent potential injuries of shin splints and runner’s knee.  As a runner, and a coffee lover, you can continue your day just as usual knowing that your coffee habit actually helps you recover.

 

Image Credit: pinterest.com

The Dehydration Myth

Waves of articles now show that coffee doesn't dehydrate you. Caffeine is a diuretic, but does not directly connect to dehydrating your body.  Like any intake of liquid, coffee will make you run to the bathroom from having too much, but it won’t take away hydration from your body. When conquering longer runs, be sure to carry hydration with you, regardless of how much coffee you had in the morning.

Balance your coffee intake by knowing your needed levels, as well as still taking in water.  The better hydrated you are running, the better your coffee will be able to work with your muscles for maximum performance.

Coffee Helps You Be You

Running is essential, and so is coffee.  From busy days to calm mornings, coffee is a staple for many.  With many coffee flavored power bars, infused smoothies, and coffee cake, there are many options to fulfill your love for coffee.  Each passing day and milestone met, you will be able to face the day with a joyous mood and the energy you need to run your best every single day.

For coffee lovers everywhere, enjoy your cup of caffeine before a long run, as it will boost your brain, your muscles, and your mood.

Bottom line, if you like coffee and you're a runner, you're in luck.  And if you don't, well, perhaps it's worth giving it a try?  Because, based on experience, I can guarantee that being in a joyous mood and running strong is beyond awesome.  Drink up!

Listen to this:

Adrenaline - Zedd (w/ Grey)

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