The 1900s saw doctors prescribing smoking, because it caused coughing. People will do some effed up things believing it is good for them, despite all evidence.

Most racers didn't finish, so the water idea was just dumb. I'm not sure how serious anyone that actually trained ever took it.

The strychnine taker did feel like crap. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1904_Summer_O...

>Hicks led the race by 1.5 miles (2.4 km), but he had to be restrained from stopping and lying down by his trainers....He continued to battle onwards, hallucinating, and was barely able to walk for most of the course. When he reached the stadium, his support team carried him over the line, holding him in the air while he shuffled his feet as if still running.

But… winning!