First Endurance PreRace Review

I thought about the opening to this review and probably re wrote it five or six times. I wanted to be sure I framed the product correctly. But every time I wrote something down, I felt like I was leaving something out. PreRace is such a unique product with more than just one use that I've found it hard to frame it correctly. The name implies that it's a product that should be used "pre race" but its certainly a great supplement to use during the race and within training.

So what is it exactly? First Endurance positions it as a "pre-exercise supplement developed to provide endurance athletes with a potent mental and cardiac jump-start prior to races or workouts." This sums up the objective of what PreRace aims to accomplish quite succinctly but I'd like to discuss my experience with it in more detail.

I've been using PreRace since early this spring as a "pre key workout" boost, a "pre race" pick me up and just recently an "in race survival pill". (I should mention that PreRace was originally only sold as a powder but will be released in pill form after the first of the year. I've been using a prototype pill for the past few months and will detail the powder and pill below.) This isn't just caffeine and comparing PreRace to coffee or caffeine pills is short changing what PreRace actually offers. I'm a regular coffee drinker (the equivalent of a small cup or two in the morning per day) so I know how caffeine on its own affects me - provides a bit of a wake up and and an additional zap of energy to start my day. Quite similar to how I imagine caffeine affects most people. Beyond that, I don't get much else from coffee beyond just being something I look forward to every morning but thats more because its part of my routine (damn you Starbucks) and I like the taste. I've experimented with straight caffeine pills pre key workout and had moderate success with it, especially early morning workouts or just on days where I wasn't feeling too energized. It obviously provides the same benefit as coffee in just a more convenient form factor. The problem with any form of just caffeine is that the affect wear offs pretty quickly for me and the benefits are fairly limited (at least when comparing to a product like PreRace).

What makes PreRace so special? As mentioned, its not just caffeine but also a mix of taurine, qurcetin and a "proprietary-neuro stimulant blend". Like taking straight caffeine, it provides a significant cardiac boost but what distinguishes PreRace from caffeine is that it also improves mental clarity. I'm sure the first thought from some of you reading might be "BS!" but I can attest to this aspect of the product. About fifteen to twenty minutes after taking a serving of PreRace, I can start to feel its affect. I hesitate to call it an odd sensation, especially now, but the first time was certainly something I hadn't felt before. I feel this rush of energy often associated with caffeine but its a calming, almost relaxed energy (does that even make sense?). Simple caffeine can make some jittery but not PreRace, at least not for me. I like to describe it as reaching a level of Jedi focus. I don't feel as if I'm bouncing off the walls but just ready to rock! Imagine being in your most relaxed, focused state but having loads of energy as well. Thats how it makes me feel. Trainer workouts involving any amount of time at threshold are always a challenge but even just a half serving of PreRace always seems to allow me to focus on the task at hand and provide the energy I need to get me over the hump. Never mind that the quality of my workout in general always seems to be higher when using PreRace (If you want to read more about the detailed benefits of PreRace explore the info on the site here or anywhere else that PreRace is hyper linked within my post.). With that said, I use it very sparingly. I'd prefer not to build a tolerance so as to dilute the effectiveness when its most needed. If my energy levels feel normal before a tough/key workout, I won't take any. But always am sure to have it with me pre race!


PreRace since its launch has been provided in powder form. You can see the size of the tub above (the Prototype bottle is about the size of a standard Advil or Tylenol bottle). It's quite small and so is a serving size as seen here:
I incorporate the powder form as part of my race morning nutrition. It's mixed with a serving of EFS Drink and taken roughly 30 minutes before the swim start. For workouts, I do the same but will generally only use a half serving. While I love the powder for its ability to be mixed with any drink, the taste leaves a bit to be desired. EFS Drink in almost any flavor is super tasty but adding the PreRace powder makes it quite bitter. I think that's the best word to describe the taste - bitter. It doesnt induce gagging it just doesn't taste like apple pie.

First Endurance must have taken notice and has been hard at work developing a pill form. As mentioned, I've been using a prototype of the pill for a few months now and am really loving it. It's the same product but just bypasses the taste issue and provides a lot of options/versatility in how you use the product. As mentioned, PreRace is marketed as a pre race supplement but many athletes, especially long course athletes, use it as an in-race pick me up. I, being one of those athletes. In my last race, Ironman Arizona, I kept a stash of PreRace capsules in a small pouch on my race belt. As I neared the half way point of the marathon, I took a serving of PreRace (3 capsules) and felt that it really helped keep me moving during some of the darkest parts of my race. Thankfully, they're easy to swallow and aren't incredibly large. Here they are next to my favorite sweetener (It was that or nail clippers. You're welcome.) as a reference of size.
I have a hard time calling any one product from First Endurance my favorite as they all are integral to my training and race day nutrition, but PreRace in both forms provide an option for athletes not found within any other nutrition company and that certainly makes it unique and worth trying!

As always, a big thank you to First Endurance for your support! I'm a proud member of the First Endurance family.

Feel free to ask me any question that I may not have covered.