I run on a track team as a sprinter in the spring and cross country in the fall. My friends all drink caffeine pops before running. They say it helps their time. My track coach says caffeine can actually make me more tired. I’m not sure who to believe.

For cross-country running, caffeine could actually help with your endurance. But for sprinters, the verdict is still out. And there’s some evidence that caffeine may lead to more fatigue when sprints are repeated in sequence. The effects vary from person to person. If you try caffeine before a race, pay attention to your individual response. You will be the best judge.