Is creatine monohydrate beneficial for running ?

Question

Curious to know if in fact it gives that boost needed in races.

Answer 1

No.  Statistically, very few supplements offer any significant benefits to the partaker.

Answer 2

creatine is not bad for you, im a senior in college and i wrestle and take creatine everyday. the only way it can harm you is if you dont work out while taking it.. and yes it can give you a huge boost but for running i recomend nox explode. i used that when i was in cross country..

Answer 3

That stuff will s***w your system up. I took it and it damaged my kidneys for a bit. If you do take it, drink ALOT of water.

Answer 4

For running? No.  There would be little benefit and probably the water retention would only slow you down.  The only benefit I can even think of is quicker recovery... but even that is only useful for beginners.  Even in that case it would be better just to work up to more distance and more days than use creatine.

Answer 5

Creatine?  From what My trainer told me a couple months ago in the Gym was too use it to bulk up, and it is really only water weight to the muscle.  So for running? I wouldn't recommend It.  But I'm not expert.  Will it hurt you, probably No, But help I doubt it.

Answer 6

don't use it unless you're going to drink lots and lots of water!

Answer 7

Creatine is used mostly for weightlifters because it helps your muscles relax and not have to rest a full day and they build a lot quicker but if you need that i suggest you use steroids. na lol just kiddin but creatine could be used for that i guess but i just suggest you just do some intense leg workouts. :)

Answer 8

I would be careful with creatine.

Answer 9

There have been a number of reports of it aiding in running recovery -- it essentially helps pull water into muscle cells.

As far as giving a "boost," it's most beneficial for anaerobic exercise with movement that occurs in "bursts"... things like weightlifting or perhaps sprinting. Distance running is of course aerobic, not anaerobic.

There are also reports with runners of increased injury likelihood with creatine, perhaps due to increased dehydration and/or opposing muscles "fighting" each other. I believe hamstring injuries are most common (and almost considered automatic) with creatine use.

A bigger recovery benefit can probably be realized by proper protein/carbohydrate consumption following a running workout. Though creatine might aid somewhat in muscle recovery as well and probably won't kill you if taken in limited amounts, you shouldn't look for a "boost" from it for aerobic exercise such as running, and there are good odds you're best off primarily relying on natural diet (such as tuna) for it.

I wouldn't go out of your way for it. I wouldn't expect a "boost" from it. I would expect some facilitated muscle recovery after a run, and I would also brace yourself for hamstring issues. If the recovery aspect appeals to you, glutamine might be a safer route, too.