Forums >Health and Nutrition>70% of runners take ibuprofen before every workout. Say what?
Doc, my tooth hurts
I can see the temptation to want to do this because you are sore or a little achy, but doesn't this go away after a little bit during the run? If it's that bad that it's impossible to make it through a run without NSAIDs, probably shouldn't be running anyways. 70% seems really high. That's essentially like 60000 pills before a major marathon, assuming each person is only taking 2.
I've only taken ibuprofen before a workout once, and honestly it felt GREAT. My legs weren't as tired as they normally would be on a 17 miler, but I knew that it's just masking what my body is trying to tell me. I don't see how that can be good at all.
A lot of long distance hikers (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, etc.) do this. They take ibuprofen before hiking, during the day, and again at the end of the day. I always figured that I wanted to know what was going on with my muscles, and didn't want a pain killer to mask any problems. OTOH, I always took "Vitamin I" at the end of the day, to ease inflammation. Although possible liver issues were known, (but not discussed), I never heard that ibuprofen slowed healing until I got on the running forums. Now, as a runner, I don't take painkillers for aches and pains, only when I feel like I've pulled a muscle or tendon - which has only happened a couple of times. If I ever get to do another LD hike, I'll be a lot more conservative than I was before.
uncontrollable
BAD habit
peace
rather be sprinting
Anti-inflammatories actually HINDER muscle recovery, so it's very counterproductive. All they do is mask pain. Oh, and they can cause ulcers in susceptible people. Oy vey.
PRs: 5k 19:25, mile 5:38, HM 1:30:56
Lifting PRs: bench press 125lb, back squat 205 lb, deadlift 245lb
I don't take pills of any sort. No aspirin ibruprof or advils or anything similar. Before after or during workouts...
5k = 19.48 10/1/13
10k = 45.28 4/16/13
Half Marathon = 1:38.53 Summer Sizzle 7/13/14
Operation Jack Marathon 12/26/12 4:39.11
Solo O Marathon 06/02/13 3:52:10
Operation Jack Marathon 12/26/13 3:40.34
I met this guy on a hunting trip. He was in his 60s and had been on NC State team that won the nation championship. He took his shirt off and I have never seen anybody in better shape at any age. I ask him his secret and it was advil before every workout.
I remember you :-)