Donating blood ahead of Ironman

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi.

I may have to donate 1 or 2 units of blood 4 weeks from an Ironman. Does anyone have any experience with how this may impact my training & performance and what I can do to recover quickly? I was planning to donate during a couple of days off I have following a heavy 1-week training camp.

Thanks!!

Tony

2

NOOO. Donating blood effectively does the opposite of blood doping by lowering your red cell count. While I don’t advocate blood doping, I try to hold onto my red cells as best I can. You’ll find that your HR will be at least a few beats higher at the same effort, so it will definitely mess around with training and performance.
That being said, it won’t kill you, so if you have to donate the blood for some reason more important than triathlon, then you’re OK to do that.

3

Blood loss/donation will trigger release of your own natural erythropoitin (EPO) to help bring your levels back up. As long as you have adequate iron in storage and in your diet you’ll be fine, maybe better than fine in a few weeks as younger red cells function better than the older cells they replace.

Note: many endurance athletes measure low when tested for Iron and esp. iron storage. The quick anemia test done before donation doesn’t look at iron stored in the body.

4

unless you have to i would avoid it until after the ironman
.

5

Hi.

I may have to donate 1 or 2 units of blood 4 weeks from an Ironman. Does anyone have any experience with how this may impact my training & performance and what I can do to recover quickly? I was planning to donate during a couple of days off I have following a heavy 1-week training camp.

Thanks!!

Tony

If I had to choose between donating 2 units of blood, or getting the flu 4 weeks before IM, I’d take the flu.

6

I gave a double batch of red blood cells a couple months ago. Felt the difference on a long ride 2 days later (might have been in my head?) but felt fine in a HIM 2 weeks later. So I wouldnt say dont do it, because I assume its for an important reason…but I probably wouldnt try and schedule it that way if you have an option either.