Are there any legal products for improving athletes’ performance?

Boskin

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Feb 6, 2009
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Hello,

I am an athlete and have been preparing myself for a competition - my specialty is the 400 metres. I am a little overweight, which causes me to become tired around the 250m mark and drop off the pace. Are there any products that can help increase my stamina - legally? Your guidance is needed.
 
Just remember that just because something is legal in the United States, does not always mean that it is "legal" in a service or service academy.
 
Hi!

From my (ALO) perspective: if it's not prescribed by a physician for medical reasons, you run a risk...something that might be perfectly "legal" OTC...could be ILLEGAL for military members.

HARD WORK...that's always legal!!!
 
There is no product that can make up for you not being fully in shape. I'm familiar with Attain bars. I wouldn't put too much weight on the burns fat claim. They are mostly glucose and lactose - formulated to release the energy further into a race. Think of them like those liquid glucose packs that marathoners and triathletes use, except you eat it 20 minutes or so before a race instead of carrying them with you. A 400 meter race is really too short for them to make any difference.

There is no quick fix, but there is an answer. As others said, the answer is to run. But there is more to it than just getting out there and increasing the distance you run in work outs. Warning - this is about to get long and specific. My husband coached high school track for 6 years and I assisted for 2 years. Both our kids ran throughout high school and our daughter is a runner for USMMA - Go Mariners! These recommendations come straight from the USA Track & Field Coaching Manual.

First step is to get an aerobic fitness base. That means distance. We expected our 400 and 800m runners to be able to run 40 to 45 minutes at pace. That is not a jog! Push yourself to develop endurance. If you are not used to running a distance like that, don't increase too quickly or you'll end up with shin splints or another injury. STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!

Part 2 is something called a fartlek. Do a 1 mile warm up, then for 3 to 4 miles run 30 seconds hard sprint followed by 60 seconds easy. End with a 1 mile cool down run and be sure to stretch. This will help your speed and pacing. Did I mention you should STRETCH?

Finally, the 250 meter point is exactly where you will start to "feel the burn" even if you are in shape because you are pushing (it is a race after all). That is the stage where you get lactic acid build up in your muscles. The trick is to train your body to run through that. Find a long, gradual hill - 300 to 350 meter. Sprint hard up the hill for 300 meters. That last 50 meters will be HARD! Take a good break as you walk back to the start. You want your legs fairly well refreshed before you repeat. Work up to 3 reps. Do this workout once a week after you have built up your base endurance. Yes, STRETCH!

Learn to run your race. Your goal is to run negative splits. That means the second half of the race should actually be faster than first. Don't be lured into chasing the fast person and burning out too quickly. You want to have a kick left at the end for that sprint finish.

Willingness to put in the extra effort and learning to work out effectively are the difference between good athletes and great athletes. I've seen average athletes beat truly talented ones by really working hard and learning while the more talented kid coasted on talent alone.

Technical discussion now over. :wink:

As others said, don't go looking for supplements. What may be legal for the general public may not be permissible at a Service Academy or in the military - or by NCAA rules. And they won't make up for failure to put in time training.

Good luck!
 
There is no product that can make up for you not being fully in shape. I'm familiar with Attain bars. I wouldn't put too much weight on the burns fat claim. They are mostly glucose and lactose - formulated to release the energy further into a race. Think of them like those liquid glucose packs that marathoners and triathletes use, except you eat it 20 minutes or so before a race instead of carrying them with you. A 400 meter race is really too short for them to make any difference.

There is no quick fix, but there is an answer. As others said, the answer is to run. But there is more to it than just getting out there and increasing the distance you run in work outs. Warning - this is about to get long and specific. My husband coached high school track for 6 years and I assisted for 2 years. Both our kids ran throughout high school and our daughter is a runner for USMMA - Go Mariners! These recommendations come straight from the USA Track & Field Coaching Manual.

First step is to get an aerobic fitness base. That means distance. We expected our 400 and 800m runners to be able to run 40 to 45 minutes at pace. That is not a jog! Push yourself to develop endurance. If you are not used to running a distance like that, don't increase too quickly or you'll end up with shin splints or another injury. STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!

Part 2 is something called a fartlek. Do a 1 mile warm up, then for 3 to 4 miles run 30 seconds hard sprint followed by 60 seconds easy. End with a 1 mile cool down run and be sure to stretch. This will help your speed and pacing. Did I mention you should STRETCH?

Finally, the 250 meter point is exactly where you will start to "feel the burn" even if you are in shape because you are pushing (it is a race after all). That is the stage where you get lactic acid build up in your muscles. The trick is to train your body to run through that. Find a long, gradual hill - 300 to 350 meter. Sprint hard up the hill for 300 meters. That last 50 meters will be HARD! Take a good break as you walk back to the start. You want your legs fairly well refreshed before you repeat. Work up to 3 reps. Do this workout once a week after you have built up your base endurance. Yes, STRETCH!

Learn to run your race. Your goal is to run negative splits. That means the second half of the race should actually be faster than first. Don't be lured into chasing the fast person and burning out too quickly. You want to have a kick left at the end for that sprint finish.

Willingness to put in the extra effort and learning to work out effectively are the difference between good athletes and great athletes. I've seen average athletes beat truly talented ones by really working hard and learning while the more talented kid coasted on talent alone.

Technical discussion now over. :wink:

As others said, don't go looking for supplements. What may be legal for the general public may not be permissible at a Service Academy or in the military - or by NCAA rules. And they won't make up for failure to put in time training.

Good luck!

EXTREMELY well said! :thumb:
 
I used to run the 400m, 600m, and 800m and worrying about the 400 means that you obviously should either stay with the sprinters or with the distance. Mid-distance, i think, is definitely the hardest. If this is indoor (and indoor track= 1/2 size of outdoor track) then you should not sprint the first lap- try going 85%. Then when you hit your second lap leave your heart out on the rubber by going 100%. I wouldn't try to take any boosters unless you've seen how they affect you. For me, just give me water or an orange before the race.
good luck:thumb:
 
While we are on the topic, are protien supplements allowed at the academy?

I am new to all this stuff I am very careful and I dont take anything I do not need.
 
If your talking about whey protein, you can get it at any big chain store.
 
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