Coffee and Running?

I read that coffee is a good way to help one's body recover from a run.

Does that also include decaffeinated coffee?

Also, is decaf coffee hyrdating? I know that a small bit of caffeine remains in the naturally decaffeinated stuff, but in its trivial amount, is it replenishing AND muscularly benificial to drink decaf coffee?

My morning routine has me run, get ready, and go out to the cafe for breakfast where I have a carb-dominant post-workout breakfast and a 24 ounce decaf coffee. I FEEL more hydrated after, but I don't know if it counts or not, or if it is a bad thing because of the trace caffeine.

From wikipedia, the all knowing guru 

Laxative/diuretic

Coffee is also a powerful stimulant for peristalsis and is sometimes considered to prevent constipation. However, coffee can also cause excessively loose bowel movements. The stimulative effect of coffee consumption on the colon is found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.[23][24]

Practitioners in alternative medicine often recommend coffee enemas for "cleansing of the colon" due to its stimulus of peristalsis, although mainstream medicine has not proved any benefits of the practice.

Contrary to popular belief, caffeine does not act as a diuretic when consumed in moderation, and does not lead to dehydration or to a water-electrolyte imbalance; current evidence suggests that caffeinated beverages contribute to the body's daily fluid requirements no differently than pure water does.

This might explain the GI distress I go through when I run as I am a four cup a day coffee drinker!!!

All,

I have been told by my trainer not to drink coffee just before a run and just after.  He suggest drinking water and only water.  Caffeine increases the heart rate according to my trainer.

Well, I've heard some people complain that about 10 minutes into a run, they find themselves in desperate need of a portapotty. Given coffee's tendency to have similar results, I could see drinking it a little while before going running, to pre-empt that.

Other than that, I've never heard that coffee is good for recovery after a run.

I have a half a cup of coffee before my run and about a half hour after my run, I drink another cup and a half.

I run early in the morning and I really don't function well without my caffeine.

I also agree with Amethyst. Coffee keeps me regular. After my 1/2 cup at home, I hit the bathroom, then my truck to the gym. I never start my run before I do that.  Sorry if that's TMI.

It is the caffeine that benefits by allowing you to bring your depleted glycogen stores back to normal more quickly post workout/run, so I would think that any amount would aid this process.

However, a new study was done regarding decaffeinated coffee and its link to increased cholesterol levels. Here is the link if you are interested:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8328-xd -decaffeinated-coffee-may-be-harmful-to-heart .html

Thanks guys!

I do drink 6 oz. of caffeinated coffee before my run in the morning but AFTERWARD I didn't want to have to drink more caffeine (I have enough trouble sleeping as is). I'll just drink the coffee afterward - decaf - for enjoyment:-)