I don't take Advil unless absolutely necessary, and never before or during a workout. It supposedly is bad for the kidneys. Here's an article on the subject: http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12992
I seem to recall hearing that Tylenol is better, but I avoid even that during or right before workouts.
I'm not sure about other NSAIDS (e.g., aspirin, naproxen)

Any science/medical types, feel free to chime in.

I think pros use alot of stuff they tell the rest of us not to use! ;)

Personally I would say to avoid it if you can but if you get alot of pain or swelling then it probably wouldn't hurt to use it although you might want to try it during some training rides/runs first just in case it upsets your stomach or something of that nature.

You shouldn't use any NSAIDS before, during, and not until 48 hours after and endurance event.
Use Acetaminophen like Tylenol

Here is a lengthy detailed article on the subject. from the AMAA Journal(American Medical Athletic Association)
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NHG/is_3_17/ai_n13467250

Tylenol??
Illegal??

Could you elaboborate?

First off, I have never heard of Tylenol, Advil, or any other over-the-counter painkiller being illegal in races. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I would be very surprised.

Second, the US Anti-Doping Agency reportedly conducts screening every year at a small number of events based on the recommendations of USAT. According to a recent article on slowtwitch, they tested only 233 athletes last year. For what it's worth, there were exactly zero "adverse findings." http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/features/wada_stats.html#Anchor-11481

I've never heard of any age-grouper being tested either, which is unsurprising since only a tiny percentage of athletes appear to be selected for testing each year.

I didn't think that Age Groupers got tested but at least there is some testing of the higher level athletes. I assumed the Pros would get screened since there is a decent amount of money on the line at certain events.

Advil and racing:
Well is interesting to read that type of question, and I can tell there is a lot of different ideas and opinions.
Now..lets beging saying that Advil, with the generic that is Ibuprofen, is part of the family of the NSAIDS, just like naproxen, ketoprofen, and so on; in the other hand, Tylenol is out of this family, is not exactly a purely antinflamatory drug, its properties are different, and its metabolism is different, NSAIDS predominantly go through the kidney, Tylenol (acetamminophen) is metabolized by the liver.
Now, from a medical point of view, I think for any athlete, particulary an endurance one, is sort of risky to take any NSAID, before and during a race or trainning session, the reason as some of the guys here pointed, is that no matter how much liquid you take during race and or trainning, you are dihydrating yourself, so your kidneys are already going 100% trying to regulate your fluid compartments in your body, how liquid is filtered, how much you sweat, how much gets retained, how much goes to your bladder. If you add the Ibuprofen to the equation, is too much...taking the risk of kidnay damage, something that in any concept is bad. The furthest part of that bad result will be Acute Tubular Necrosis, is other words...your kidneys get fried...and you might end up at a hospital to get treatment to safe your reanal function.
Some athletes, like ultramarathoners, adventure racers, climbers, even without any drug, get some sort of kidney damage do to the strenous physical activity, that comes with some muscle tissue destruction and dehydration. You can easily check for that, is you ran a quick lab test measuring creatinine in the urine and blood.
So my final word, what I usually reocmend to patients in my practice is to take NSAIDS with caution, no matter you are an endurance athlete, and sedentary person or not.
If there are pains that make the athlete afraid of maybe failing to complete the race or trainning session, try some local aids, like heating creams to put your muscles at ease, some massage, and a very good warm up session.

There you go....Evidence based medicine....;)

Took NSAIDS once during an ultra and was fine. Didn't repeat the practice after, as the doc said, I knew a guy who fried his kidneys.

Does a shot of Whiskey count? :)

Baby Aspirin...that is a cardioprotective measure for coronary heart disease....How old are you Christri25??

im 30 !!!!!!!!

I'm sure this is DIRECTLY aimed at illegal drugs etc...but OTC pain meds would fall under that umbrella wouldn't it? Eliminate swelling and reduce pain of competition?

Yeah guys...what ever put some fuel on you....!!!

Una cerveza the night before a race is just a sleep enhancer, anxiety reducer, muscle relaxer and a great way to refuel on Chromium, a natural element in the body. :) Not to mention the carbo loading factor.

But I wouldn't recommend it during a race.

That´s right Beads1985, in my last marathon that I did in Ecuador, they had a big Tent of one of the sponsors, that is our national brand of beer, and they were giving cups to the runners...
Let me tell you guys that they were hugely popular, and runners were extremely happy....

haha that's awesome dr_rios... beer at aid stations...
Besides, wouldn't all that alcohol turn to energy super fast? Even faster than sugar? Or do I just not know a damn thing about metabolism?

BBB said you prefer 3-5 martinis before marathons. :p