I take creatine and I feel that it aids me. Maybe it is just the placebo effect, but I feel that it aids in my recovery time and overall energy. It could even just be the extra amount of water I'm taking in from drinking the stuff. I take something called Cell Tech and it has a whole bunch of other stuff in it besides creatine. Stuff I can't pronounce. And it has to be good for you if it is hard to pronounce, right?

New exercise science leans more in favor of stretching after exercise to help distribute lactic acid and toxins. Stretching before exercise does nothing to prevent soreness or injury although it is beneficial to stretch an injured area. I stopped doing the pre-run stretching back in February and I noticed that I don't get the burning rubbery legs sensation. Again - The change could just be in my brain.

Beyond good nutrition and increasing your water intake, I've found that taking a daily dose of liquid vitamin along with a tablet of glucosamine, omega 3, and milk thistle works wonders for me at the age of 32.

Oh, and an additional 50 grams of protein on top of what I normally eat.

By the way, congrats on kicking the Dew. It isn't an easy thing to do, but I've found that I feel a lot less lethargic once I've given up soda for a few weeks.

And intervals all the way.

2 cents for ya.