Creatine

[EagleEye]

Hi everyone. New to the board, but been enjoying reading messages here for a while as a guest. Anyway, I have a couple of questions for you experts.

I've been working out for about 10 months and just decided to start taking creatine based on what I've read here. My question is, can I to take creatine with my protein shake after a workout. I tried it with water, but didn't care for the taste, so last night I adding it to my whey protien powder and mixed with water and it was fine. Is doing this ok or am I wasting the creatine?

Also, I run a lot; almost every day. However, I only workout 4 days a week. I usually workout in the morning and then go running right after the workout. My runs are anywhere from 30 - 90 minutes. Should I take creatine right after the workout (before the run) or should I wait until I'm done with my workout and run?

The third question is should I take creatine if I'm only running. I've read on this board that some do and some don't, but my runs when I don't workout are pretty intense. I do intervals and tempo runs on these days. Does this make a difference? I figured working your legs hard might be equivalent to working them out in the gym.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Hattrick]

1st of all, welcome to the board!

Secondly, taking creatine with your protein shake is fine.
I would drink your creatine/protein, right after your workout to feed your muscles right away. I'm sure TSB and some of the others could provide better scientific reasons for this, but there you go.

Thirdly, I would still take your creatine on your off weight days to ensure it stays active in your system. And by the way, don't worry about the loading phase. it is not needed in my opinion.

 

[seyone]

Originally posted by EagleEye
I've been working out for about 10 months and just decided to start taking creatine based on what I've read here. My question is, can I to take creatine with my protein shake after a workout. I tried it with water, but didn't care for the taste, so last night I adding it to my whey protien powder and mixed with water and it was fine. Is doing this ok or am I wasting the creatine?
I wouldn't say you are wasting the creatine but I would take it with a carb source.

Also, I run a lot; almost every day. However, I only workout 4 days a week. I usually workout in the morning and then go running right after the workout. My runs are anywhere from 30 - 90 minutes. Should I take creatine right after the workout (before the run) or should I wait until I'm done with my workout and run?
I know after my workouts the last thing I want to do is run, rest and food are the only two things on my mind.

The third question is should I take creatine if I'm only running. I've read on this board that some do and some don't, but my runs when I don't workout are pretty intense. I do intervals and tempo runs on these days. Does this make a difference? I figured working your legs hard might be equivalent to working them out in the gym.
I don't take creatine on my off days. I don't run but I play hockey and don't take it then either. it works for me. try both see what works best for you.
I don't completely agree with Hattrick about the loading, I don't believe it is needed but it works faster than if you don't.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Sheena]

Is creatine safe for women?

 

[Arnold]

Originally posted by Sheena
Is creatine safe for women?

read this --> http://www.ironmagazine.com/creatine.htm

 

[TheSupremeBeing]

In other words, yes.

 

[cytrix]

you should take the creatine right after your workout, together with not only your whey protein, but also dextrose. this will spike insulin levels, important for quick and upmost delivery of the nutrients into your muscles. the muscles are especially responsive for nutrient uptake, which is importat for recovery and growth, up until 2 hours after training.

i suggest taking it after your entire workout is done, incl. the running, however, i would keep the time to a 30 min limit, if you want to improve size wise. it would probably be better to do shorter running, but to do intervalls or sprints. it's more intense, so you can keep the duration shorter, it's more compatible with lifting weights, and the calorie expenditure at rest, after you are done training, is much higher and coming more from fat, then low intensity jogging.