Donating Blood and Running

[tiberius]

Does anyone out there have experience with donating blood and its effects on running?

My church is having their regular blood drive tomorrow and I would normally donate. However, I am running a 10 mile race next Saturday and a half marathon 2 weeks later. I don't want to end up hurting myself or my running. (I hope that does not seem too selfish.)

Should I be fine to donate tomorrow without making my running suffer? Or, should I go pass on donating tomorrow and donate at the blood center in a couple weeks?

 

[ironz]

It takes 4-6 weeks to replenish the red blood cells.
I would wait until after your races, and no, that is not selfish just because you do it later rather than sooner.

Good luck in your running!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I did a bone marrow drive during training.

I think you would be okay--but you can always donate after the event.

B/c it was with Team in Training and the nature of the event, I did ask the blood bank people and it really isn't as big of a deal. You would still be able to compete. However if you were hoping for a PR or some hardware, then maybe put it off.

Just my $.02.

It won't hurt you to donate. Just go easy on the day of donation and don't do a long run the next day and you will be fine.

You can also ask the folks from the blood bank just to be certain.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I donate every 8 weeks, usually on a Thursday night, and it hasn't affected my Saturday runs (that I've noticed!). I make sure I hydrate really well before I donate as well as after. That seems to shorten my recovery time.

Jackie

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've wondered this too. I went with caution and waited until after the event.

 

[rKyDeX]

I do think that donating blood has an effect on your usual performance. I donated blood Friday morning and ran in the Race for the Taste Sunday morning. I could'nt figure why my heart rate was running about 10 beats per minute higher than it should have been and my finish time was 4 minutes slower. After I got home, I researched and found out that lower body fluid levels elevate heart rate. On a positive note, I noticed no ill effects to my breathing or muscle endurance. The next time I wiil plan my donation for after an event or long run.

Chester

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I do think that donating blood has an effect on your usual performance. I donated blood Friday morning and ran in the Race for the Taste Sunday morning. I could'nt figure why my heart rate was running about 10 beats per minute higher than it should have been and my finish time was 4 minutes slower. After I got home, I researched and found out that lower body fluid levels elevate heart rate. On a positive note, I noticed no ill effects to my breathing or muscle endurance. The next time I wiil plan my donation for after an event or long run.

Chester

48 hours was a bit close...3 weeks, I think the OP would be fine.

But as always, better safe than sorry. Especially after the disaster at Chicago this weekend. You never know what can affect your running and you certainly don't want anything you do to contribute negatively to the outcome.