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While coffee is a very common source of caffeine, there is evidence that caffeine taken in coffee is not as effective as other forms (see above for details). Also, coffee may cause [[Running and Stomach Problems|Stomach Problems]] and [[Running and Lower GI Problems|Lower GI Problems]] in some individuals. Typical brewed coffee contains 100-150mg per cup<ref name="Bunker-1979"/> which compounds the problem of using coffee in sports. I would recommend using other sources of caffeine before or during runs.
==Tea==
[[File:Caffeine Tea Brewing Time.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Brewing time and levels of Caffeine (CF), the catechins epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC)<ref name="ShishikuraKhokhar2005"/>.]]It is claimed that tea is the second most popular drink after water<ref name="Macfarlane"/>, but it does not appear to be commonly used by athletes. Because the level of caffeine can vary dramatically with different types of tea, and different brewing methods, it is difficult to know how much caffeine is in a particular drink of tea. Generally black tea has more than oolong tea which has more than green tea<ref name="Lin-2003"/>. Typically black tea contains 28 to 46mg of Caffeineper 8oz cup<ref name="Bunker-1979"/>. This unpredictability makes tea a problematic source of caffeine, though using the same tea and brewing for the same time will give reproducible levels, but you won't know the absolute caffeine intake.
==Gels ($2-8/100mg)==
Gels are available with and without caffeine, and the caffeinated variety normally has 25mg, though some go as high as 100mg. The higher caffeine concentrations often include a coffee extract, which may limit the benefits. Given that gels typically cost $1-2 per gel, the caffeine cost is $2-8/100mg. See [[Comparison of Energy Gels]] for more details.