Creatine and running.

[jAk88]

I want to discuss both creatine plus and protein shakes with running.

I am a distance runner for my schools track team, and besides bulking up I would like to perform better on my mile times. I have looked into creatine but finally convinced my parents to give it a try. I took creatine today for a test thirty minutes before going to a run, and I felt very energized and pumped up. I suspect it was a result of the creatine?

I also lift weights after running. But I want to drink the creatine before running. Will I have to drink more creatine before lifting weights to replinesh the creatine that I use up while running?

I am sort of new to these supplements and want to get advice from people in the know before I do something I regret that will hinder my performance. I also want to make gains on my muscles for the upper and lower body.

As for protein, I have been drinking that in the mornings and after practice when lifting weights and my muscles turned from flab to hard. So I also suspect that is a result of my increased protein usage.

Anyway, I appreciate the help.

Edit-One thing I noticed when I drank the creatine was later I had uncontrollable urine. Is this a good or bad thing? I have heard other kids at my school having to urinate a lot from drinking creatine, so I suppose this is normal. Again, I would like people who know this stuff to tell me what is going on here as I am still not fully aware of what I am dealing with.

[akoch91]

I've never experienced an increase in energy from creatine in the way that you speak of, only in the sense of shortened recovery time. Maybe somone else can help you with the engergy question. My guess is that it was a self fufilling phophecy thing going on, I don't really know.

Only take the recommended 5g daily of creatine, there is no need to try and replinish it, it will stick with you.

The urine is more likely a result of the increased water consumption that goes along with creatine supplementation, not the creatine itself. Either way, it's normal and you do not need to worry about it.

[chlaxman]

Studies on creatine with respect to long distance performance (it was done on swimmers) showed no advantage to taking it. If you are only trying to increase your times, creatine most likely will not add anything besides increased repair (although even that was inconclusive) of muscle and a placebo effect.

If you want to gain muscle, as you said you did, then creatine is a great choice.

[85_305]

^That is correct. Creatine does NOTHING for long distance running. Neither does bulking up; why the HELL would you want to put on more weight if your running for distance????

But, if you did your RESEARCH you would know that creatine does NOTHING for high-endurance activities, and therefore does NOTHING for you.

But bulking+creatine are a no-no for long-distance running.
And that weird "energy" you felt, that was something experienced by taking a new supp into your body, and thinking it did more than what it really does. It was all in your head buddy :)

:)

[jAk88]

I am not actually trying to 'bulk up' as many of you guys are, but trying to make my body a lot more lean, and lifting weights helps make the body more lean. But I would like to do it quicker.

And I do suspect the energy I felt was in my head. I did feel great running, I was able to practically run four miles at a steady 6 minute race pace.

I have been reading up more and more on creatine and how to properly use it. I am mainly interested in improving my times so anything I can do to help myself, I am willing to try.

[chlaxman]

I have been reading up more and more on creatine and how to properly use it. I am mainly interested in improving my times so anything I can do to help myself, I am willing to try.
As my previous post stated, studies have shown that creatine will not improve your time because you are a long distance runner. It may (I say may because there is no evidence to support as far as I know) prevent your body from becoming worn-out and fatigued over the entire season, but it will not physically aid (placebo effect may aid you) your time in one race.

[85_305]

jAk88, you said in your first post that you are trying to "bulk up". The ONLY part of your body you should really be working is your legs, using VERY hi-rep and very low weights. Doing your upperbody will just add uneeded weight that will slow you down. But I guarantee you, taking creatine will do NOTHING for your running. There really is no way to make yourself stronger "quicker", lol.. it always takes time man :)

[BackInTheJox]

Creatine is more than likely going to automatically make you "bulk up", though not in the way you want. It's gonna lead to increased water weight, which will just slow you down.


Distance runners + Creatine = Mistake.

[Rob8701]

It may be helpful to note that more muscle=increased fat burning, though not really worth the trade as the added bulk will slow you down significantly.

You shouldn't be urinating a lot as a result of creatine supplementation. Creatine should dehydrate you, since it causes muscle cell hydration, meaning it drives water into your muscle cells. Hence the reason why we are recommended to drink more water when using creatine. Your uncontrollable urination problem is probably bacause you are drinking too much water:)