B12 for Upcoming 1st Century

[gabriellesca]

Hi everyone ... I've been lurking and reading for months but finally have a question I need advice on. (Actually, there have been tons of questions but my teammates have covered some of them.)

I am currently 3 weeks from my first Century with Team in Training. Last Saturday the team rode 75 miles but I could only do 25 due to dehydration and being very sick last week. I am now having alot of problems with my allergies, which I take medication for. I'm very nervous that I'll continue to feel so sick while I train and for this weekend's 80 mile final ride. My century is August 23rd.

So ... I'm reading alot about B12 and thinking of taking it. Does anyone else take it? If so what is a good oral amount to take? I know I can get it as a patch or injection - I don't think my doctor will give me the injection so I'm wondering if anyone has any information/advice on this. I have been training all summer and get sick frequently - I want to feel the best I can and am wondering if it will help.

Thanks!

[kie_fujo]

i take it in my multivitamin, but that's it. i've tried b complex separately and i don't know which one it is but they always upset my stomach. and i didn't notice any benefits so i just take my multivitamin.

[Blueberry]

I can't take a B complex - my tummy does not favor it:(

CA

[Zen]

So in effect you're looking for your own 'poor mans version' of doping?

There are no shortcuts. You can only do the best you can. There's always next year.

[KnottedYet]

I take honkin' huge amounts of oral B12 because I have a gut disease that won't let be absorb it well.

If your doctor has already talked to you about shots or patches, your doctor is the best person to talk to about how much oral B12 you need to be taking.

Everyone's needs are different. The amount that one person takes to make them better could make another person very sick.

[ny biker]

If you have been sick a lot, you should be talking to your doctor about why you are getting sick and what you should do about it. This may have nothing to do with your training but it could be that the training has been weakening your immune system and making it harder for your body to deal with whatever is making you sick.

At this point you're probably better off just resting, drinking plenty of fluids, eating a healthy diet and just generally trying to get as healthy as possible. I'm actually surprised your group is doing an 80 mile ride two weeks before the century - I would think you'd be tapering at this point. The training you've been doing all summer is what matters most, and now you need to rest to make sure you're not worn out for the big ride.

[ridenread]

I have been taking prescribed B12 injections once a month for at least 10 years as my body can not absorbed it. I can honestly say it does not do anything to enhance my performance. I don't ride any better right after the injection than I do right before it is due.

[gabriellesca]

Thanks everyone.

Poor mans doping ... sure ... I don't have a problem with that. I want to feel and do as best I can and if it means getting a little help, I'm open to it. I guess I'm looking to feel healthy and energized and have read that B12 can help with allergies as well.

I may give my doctor a call. I think that its good to take a vitamin, and will start with a multi in the morning. I did pick up the B12 drops - everything I've read says it can't hurt you - so I'll give it a try.

NY biker - we do 80 this weekend and the Century isn't until the 23rd - I think that's 2 weeks? I trust my coach - so I hope it will be okay- I'm quite nervous since I had to sag last weekend and missed riding the 75 mile ride! I'm very new to cycling. This is my first time riding and joining Team in Training has been a great introduction to the sport.

[crazybikinchic]

I am currently training for an upcoming century. I did it last year and we ride 85 miles the week before the century. We were all able to complete it with no problems. We tapered as far as only 1 indoor training the week before instead of 2.

[Eden]

OK - just casually browsing some threads here and perhaps I'm not awake enough....

for some reason I was thinking that a B-12 must be a Brooks saddle and I was really wondering how and why you might be trying to take one orally...... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

maybe I should go to be early tonight.

[arielmoon]

I am vegan and suppliment B12 (small tablet dissolved under the tongue) or have a serving of Nutrional Yeast which has tons of vitamins and 150% of B12.

[Sgritn]

I take an oral Soloray B complex 75, 2 stage, timed release everyday..no problem except the neon yellow urine when my water intake is not adequate...gives me great energy to deal with my day. Biking supplement..I don't know..not experienced enough to give you the 'right' answer.