Is using bengay or Icy Hot gel on your legs before a 5K race okay?

Question

Is using bengay or Icy Hot gel on your legs before a 5K race okay?

Answer 1

As a cross country runner most of my team used both bengay and icy hot prior to and after both practices and races (5K distance).  In 6 years of high school cross country never once did I hear any of them say it was a problem and most of them actually said it helped so I would give my endorsement to both.

Answer 2

its gives you a more likely chance to tear a muscle....i would just stretch

Answer 3

Yes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using it before a race.

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Answer 4

No.  Numbing yourself before a race is not a good idea.  Pain is your body's way of communicating with you and keeping you safe.  You're much more likely to injure yourself if you can't feel the pain and your body's signals to stop or slow down.

Answer 5

Icy Hot and or Bengay are more for aches than for warming up and or being limber for a race.

Both jogging and putting "ache" ointments on your legs will draw  blood to your muscles necessary for "warming up" but jogging and stretching is WAY MORE effective for general race preparation.

The only time I used ointment was when I had a sore/achy hamstring or calf and I would use it to HELP me warm up [just those spots] for a race but not as method to general warm up and certainly not on both legs and all over.

I did know of some sprinters who liked to do that but not distance runners.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

I have tried using these products in track and cross country and this is what I have figured out: it entirely depends on how hot or cold the weather is. If it is warm or hot, I would definitely say NO to putting icy-hot gel on your legs. However, if it is cold or really cold, I would say YES because it really helps to loosen up the muscles. Even though it might wear off during the race, it won't matter because the running will warm up your legs. This has worked for me and a couple other members on my high school team, so I truly hope it works for you too. Hope I could help!

Answer 7

Ben g*y is generally a post race way of dealing with cramping and pain. Doing it before the race won't really loosen you up. It might num you which as someone said is not good - pain and other signals from your body are important to hear. Mostly it won't really help you in the race and will be gone or sweated off by the race end and MIGHT cause you to ignore problems so I'd say it's useless at best or a bad thing.

Answer 8

Do not use icy Hot gel on y legs becuse of craps in your legs

Answer 9

It may be okay but it is not going to do much for you or your legs.

The hot feeling you get is just on the surface and does not effect the muscles.

Warm up by running easy for 10 to 15 minutes and then stretch and do some strides.