How to use coke on the run

Once you start using hard drugs to cope with pain, you can never go back.

Don't do it!  Stay away from cocaine!

SAY NO TO DRUGS.

Dunno, as every time I've started I kept at it since I heard the same thing

Haven't heard this, haven't done it.  But I was not using coke alone

I was using it every aid station starting about 5 of the HIM and about 12 of the IM, one cup (they're small)

Always has to be one doesn't there

On my last two long runs before IM I tried some Pepsi on every 5.5 miles when I would circle home to refill my hydration. I just drank about 4 oz and was testing out how it worked for me.

You may want to try it at the end of your last couple long runs and see how it works for you.

I've used it last 10k of a 1/2 IM and once in training. Both times it seemed fine but I didn't change my life as I expected. Maybe I just wasn't beat enough at the time...

In the 1/2 though I did find that with aid stations 2.5km apart I was fading between stations with only coke and water. I grabbed a handfull of gummies for in between and that seemed to get me through.

I was planning to try coke in training again today but it didn't go flat in time so I put it in a bottle to shake up, managed the blow the top off it and mess up the whole kitchen. Doh!

I've never used it in training.  And don't think I ever will.  Same with chicken broth.

At some point in a race you'll decide it's worth a try and either like it or not.  If you need more, there's another aid station just ahead.  Ditto if you need to dilute it.

For me, it was like nectar of the gods in my IM.

Don't overthink things.

Don't pour it on your head to cool you off though - stick to water for that.

I don't remember when I started with the coke in IMFL, but it was sort of late in the run, probably around 18 or so. I kept drinking it because it was something different. For me though the think that did it was the chocolate chip cookies. I love them in general and I think I had 1 or 2 at every aid station that still had some left, so about 22 times. Probably had 35 cookies. I have a pretty good stomach for running and eating though.

EXACTLY the same thing happend for me.

I never practiced it, and I didn't plan to use it in the race.  But when I hit mile 17 or so, it just sounded good and something I wanted.

Taking that first sip?  I can't believe how great it tasted and felt, to be honest.  I also started grabbing chips, cheetos, and chocolate chip cookies those last 6-10 miles.  Things I would never think I would want to be eating on the run, but they were all amazing.  I can't believe how much they lifted my spirits after 13 hours of GE and a cliff bar or two.

What they said ^^^^^

And be prepared for your run nutrition "plan" to fall apart, even if you've practiced it.  I had my Infinit run mix, I think I took two or three sips of the swill (sorry, i love Infinit, I just didn't like it that day), before I tossed the bottle.  For about 2 miles, I was too naseous to eat anything.

Eventually came around and enjoyed the smorgasboard that is the IM run. 

Or buring your lips on the pipe....

I've always figured I'll save it for the second 1/2 of the run. After all if you start Coke from aid station 1 what have you got to look forward to

So, to all you coke drinkers. Are you taking it at every aid station? Water too, or just straight up?

I was just finishing the IM, not racing it at that point, so to the best of my recollection I did Coke at every station that had it, along with water.  Not to dilute the Coke though.  More to wash down the cookies and pretzels    I'd alternate Gatorade every now and then.

At least I think so.

Tough to recall.  To be honest, I was out there for a while, and the buffet table was a little picked over.  If they had coke or Dr. Pepper, I would take it.  If not, broth (it was cold, so the warm broth felt good).

Seriously, with 10 miles left, after 13 hours on the course, there was no nutrition plan or strategy.  It was eat what they had that sounded good, drink what they had that made me feel like it would help me finish. 

I didn't care about home many ounces, dilution, phasing, calorie count, salt content, fat content...  10 miles left it was hold on and survive.  Instincts will take you a long way at that point.

Can't remember when I started drinking it.  All I know is that I took coke, GE or water at almost every station.  What I took just depended upon my mood and my stomach when I was there.  As long as I could stomach it, I generally went for the GE or coke because I got nearly all my calories on the run through those (gagged on a warm PowerGel and tried part of a banana and orange at some point I think).

As noted, I don't think a detailed IM run nutrition plan is critical.  You have to be ready to adapt to whatever your body can handle by that stage.