I think if I tried red bull before a run it'd soon be coming back up once I got going

A reasonable diet and water will be enough to see you up to the 1hr 30min mark whilst out on your runs, beyond that you could do with replenishing carb stores as you go.

I'm very sceptical about the benefits of caffeine when running, it's a diuretic which can interfere with your uptake of water and hydration levels (though I've no idea to what extent) and i've can't remember reading any studies that suggest it improves performance/times over a set distance, only that subjects of studies are able to run a bit further before exhaustion! lol.

Personally I'd be paying more attention to my hydration levels and making sure I've got enough water on board rather than carbs. I remember reading something like being 5% dehydrated can reduce running performance by as much as 20%! (not sure what these percentages are based on, but the numbers look scary! lol). Less water in the body means a lower volume of blood, therefore less blood pumped by the heart, and less oxygenated blood reaching the muscles, therefore you'll end up running slower

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I usually run out of energy around that point too - on the odd occasion I run further than that, I find supplements usually help.

It just goes to show that supplements aren't the cure - they're just a supplement to what you are already doing.

Still, I think my pre-race can of Red Bull gives me a mental boost, even if its just a placebo effect.

Sorry, I meant 12 miles is as far as I have run. I have done it twice. Both times I was tired in the legs, but that is to be expected. I am still not fit. The first time I suffered as I had no water. The second time I had water and supped about 300ml through the distance. This made a huge difference as both runs were done late morning on hot days.

I dont eat before running and only have something when I get home if I feel hungry. Often have a glass of milk though

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0 - 14 Miles in 6 months, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 58 seconds.
Start weight: 18 st 4.. Current weight: 14 st 8.. Current Goal: Duchy Marathon, 8th March 2009

I get puffed after about 1.2 miles as well I did read an article in the Times a couple of weeks back regarding the use of bicarbonate of soda as a performance boosting aid, insomuch the alkalinity of the bicarb counteracts lactic acid buildup, not sure if this would help mere mortals like me though! A word of warning, most people are ok with a tea spoon or so but some suffer from an unwanted; shall we say purgative affect not good if you're a couple of miles from home.

I've never drank red bull before running; in fact never drank it all (just the smell makes me ill).

I have used lucozade tablets in the past at octopush tournaments as a boost before games. Our coach would give us a tablet each before our last games (we would play 7 or so 20 minute games over 6 hours). I found that they made a big difference then, although they took ~10 minutes to work and then lasted for about 15. After that, felt more sluggish than before. I don't use them now because adult games are 30 minutes long and it's not good to have an energy dip half way through a game.

I suspect that all these things work similarly, so depending on the distance you're running they'd either help (over short distances) or severely hinder (can't imagine an energy dip 15 minutes into a marathon would be much fun).

Suppose it all depends your personal situation/preference

I don't like the idea of anything carbonated myself.

What's octopush Term?

I've tried lucozade tabs myself and find they are quite good for a boost, but as you mentioned prepare yourself for a dip if you don't time it right or you don't have another to follow a 2 or 3 miles later. Also I wouldn't take one without a quick swig of water, I've coughed the dust out as soon as I've bitten into one before. Not pretty.

For races of half marathon upwards, I sometimes use a viper bar from maximuscle, but do just take water sometimes too.

For a marathon I did try powerbar gels and found that they work quite well once you have mastered consuming on the run. It can go horribly wrong when you first try it.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

Um...octopush (also known as underwater hockey) is quite difficult to explain. Hopefully this video should explain it; probably just looks a mess though.

YouTube - octopush tournament

Basically, you push a puck along the bottom of a swimming pool into a goal, although the nasty people on the other team try to stop you.

Very intense sport; although it looks like you get a rest every few minutes, you're just desperately trying to get a breath and go back down

That looks great. I can well imagine you run short of breath.

I didn't see a ref though, do they stay underwater for the duration? How would you hear their whistle?

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

think that was a training sessions so they probably didn't bother with refs.

There are 3 refs usually: 2 in the water and a third at the side of the pool with a buzzer. Luckily they wear red so they're easy to aim at....I mean spot

I have plenty of energy, and I never *ever* drink anything caffeinated. I prefer healthier forms of energy .

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You are very sensible Immortal. This is another product that is overhyped, like yucozade

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0 - 14 Miles in 6 months, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 58 seconds.
Start weight: 18 st 4.. Current weight: 14 st 8.. Current Goal: Duchy Marathon, 8th March 2009