Could that cuppa up your race pace?

You already know that caffeine can put a little extra pep in your step, but did you know that it could translate to better race times? A study in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport concluded that a shot of pre-race caffeine could help you race faster.

The study compared the effects of the equivalent of an eight-ounce cup of coffee with a placebo, and the 5k times of runners of all levels improved, generally by 10 to 12 seconds.

This could be due to a change in your perception of pain, according to the study's co-author Brendan O'Brien, Ph.D. For maximum effectiveness, have your java 30 to 60 minutes before the start. Make sure you know how you react to caffeine -- jittery joggers don't generally win medals, you know.