It is one of the things Friel talks about in "the bible", (I hope this thread does not get kicked over to the dopers forum).

He says it may help give the muscles the energy need to really hammer during the build stage when doing force and hill work. He then states it should be dropped at peak because it can cause a person to carry excess fluids and this excess weight may do more harm than good when hitting the race period.

So has anyone tried it? Did it help or hurt? Are there other health concerns?

It is one of the things Friel talks about in "the bible", (I hope this thread does not get kicked over to the dopers forum).

He says it may help give the muscles the energy need to really hammer during the build stage when doing force and hill work. He then states it should be dropped at peak because it can cause a person to carry excess fluids and this excess weight may do more harm than good when hitting the race period.

So has anyone tried it? Did it help or hurt? Are there other health concerns?

I used it when I was a gym rat. I was in my scrawny 20s trying to bulk up, and it provides immediate gratification in that regard, but it was mostly water weight.

Frankly, I'm not convinced that "legal" supplements really work that well.

It is a rather heavily researched supplement, and I can't see anything dangerous about it. I'd guess that good diet, hydration, and sleep overshadow any TRUE benefits of creatine.

It is one of the things Friel talks about in "the bible", (I hope this thread does not get kicked over to the dopers forum).

He says it may help give the muscles the energy need to really hammer during the build stage when doing force and hill work. He then states it should be dropped at peak because it can cause a person to carry excess fluids and this excess weight may do more harm than good when hitting the race period.

So has anyone tried it? Did it help or hurt? Are there other health concerns?

I used it back in '02 and honestly, I did not notice an improvement in top end performance. I did notice more "pre-cramping thightness" for lack of a better term in my hamstrings. I haven't looked at any litterature concerning creatine since that time, so perhaps there is some emerging studies that would suggest it can benefit endurance athletes.

Deek

As far as I know, creatine is primarily helpful for short, very intense efforts, such as weight lifting or sprinting. When your muscles contract, ATP loses a phosphate group to become ADP. Creatine phosphate can transfer its phosphate group to ADP, reconstituting ATP; it therefore acts as a reserve of high-energy phosphate groups in your muscles, particularly during the first seconds of effort before your aerobic metabolism can ramp up. For longer efforts, like endurance riding, most of the ATP used by muscles comes from the oxidation of sugars and fats. So, at least from a biochemical standpoint, I can see why creatine might be useful for track sprints or very intense hill repeats, but I would imagine that honing aerobic metabolism would be more effective for improving overall performance. If only you could take mitochondria in pill form! Just my $0.02

Creatine was the hot item several years ago until it was found to be pretty much useless for endurance events and possibly caused cramping problems. Save your $$

Well I can offer a real world application in cycling where it actually worked well for me. I ride road and I guess what you would consider track, Little 500. About four weeks before the race (this sat) I began to use Cell-Tech as my roomate didn't want all the sugar (didn't hurt me) and I did see a difference. Riding 6 days a week on a single speed bike practicing for an event where the average cadence is 120+ and there are many many sprints. Not only did I see a greater increase in my strength, but my legs got noticeably larger! I wont use it once this summer rolls around (back to road) but since little 5 is short bursts (4-5mins) then an exchnage I think it really has been helpful.

k

Riding 6 days a week on a single speed bike practicing for an event where the average cadence is 120+...

. . . do you think it's possible riding 6 days a week practicing for the Little 500 had more to do with the increase in your strength and leg girth than some hits of creatine?

How did you do in the event? And, is the actual Little 500 anything like the movie I keep watching again and again on late nights?

I was taking Creatine (liquid form) from November to end of December...and ened up in the emergency room on Dec 27th with Kidney Stones...Doctor said it could have been from the Creatine...Kidney Stones are very painful.

I am actually riding less on the track than on the road. The race is this Saturday, of course riding always shows gains, but I can't say the stuff doesn't help, I really felt a pop once I was on it. I am done with it as of now though. Yea this is the great race, pretty big deal actually, some serious riders, you are bared if you are higher than a Cat 3, however a fellow team mate is on the Cat 1/2 edge. He was actually told that if he raced anymore USCF races he would be automatically bumped to a 2 by them, good thing he is a senoir. If anyone is interested I will do a write up on the race. All who have seen it say it is one of the most amazing sights to be seen on a bike. Hell it even impressed Lance when he came to see it!


K