I’m a graduate student and I tend to see the “Bloodmobile” a couple times a semester. However I always seem to have an intense workout planned for later that day or the next, so I normally don’t give blood. I’m pretty sure it’s not a good idea to give blood and then go train later that day. Anyone have any insight? How long should you rest (not train) after giving blood? etc.
I’ve looked into it in the past, and Google yields a LOT of good information, but in general it is a bad idea. Giving blood and then training will sap you in a bad way. Walk by the bloodmobile and don’t feel guilty. Giving blood can affect your performance for weeks.
I gave blood during track season one year and then attempted a workout. It was very slow and painful and I felt slow for at least two weeks after that. Would NEVER do it again.
I donated blood last spring and it took a good 3 weeks, maybe a little longer for my HR levels to come back to normal. Haven’t done it since.
If your performance is that important I would donate in the off season. I have found that it affects performance for about 3 weeks.
That said, whole blood and platelet donation is a lifesaver and more people should do it.
Take the day off. After you donate blood, reward yourself with a few beers if u want to take advantage of the situation.
I was supposed to donate today but due to gastro issues postponed for a couple of weeks.
I generally feel overly tired for about a week, and obviously don’t schedule any donations before A races.
Whatever you do don’t try to fit in one last high quality workout right before donating - I nearly blacked out when I tried it.
After you donate blood, they give you a card that states you should refrain from exercise for 2 days. Giving blood is great but taking 2 days off during training season isn’t worth it. Wait until you know you have an easy week or until the off-season.
You can only donate every 2 months, for whole blood donations; for platelets it’s more frequent. You can donate up to 24 times a year. Not sure about plazma.
I donate regularly, usually every 8 weeks, but triathlon is just a hobby for me. I’ll take it easy for at least the rest of that day though. I’ve often done swim workouts the next morning. I can’t hit the high intensity stuff then, steady efforts are OK if I don’t go too long, and most drills are fine. I’ll often tire quickly during workouts in the next couple of days. After a few days, I only notice the effect during really high intensity and that only lasts a week or so. I’ll postpone a donation if I have a race that’s important to me within the following 4 or 5 weeks, but otherwise it’s not a problem.
back in high school the blood mobile would come every few weeks i would go just to skip a class or two give blood, have an excuse not to go to XC practice then drink that night just to get a faster buzz lol in reality though i’ve done workout after giving blood and it didn’t affect me for that long.
Not an expert but in my experience it takes a few weeks to replenish the red blood cells in your body. So giving blood is sorta like reverse blood doping. Instead of increased performance you’ll see about a 10% decrease. Nothing scientific about these comments by the way.
I’m just going to echo what has already been said, but when I was in high school (6-7 years ago) I gave blood once. I went for an EASY bike ride about 3 days later and was finishing my ride on a 800m very steep hill I always rode up with no problem.
I got half way up and had to pull over to the side of the road because I couldn’t go any further. I swore on that day I would never give blood again unless I wasn’t training for anything.
I feel like I’m being selfish, but will hopefully make up for it later in life when my goals change and I don’t mind not being able to push really hard in workouts for a couple weeks.
Drew
Hey wait a minute!! Where’s that “Do unto others spirit” here? None of knows when that bike crash will come or you’ll be hit while running or your training partner ruptures an internal organ. This is February for gosh sakes and for most of us our “A” races are months away. I gave my 99th unit of blood to Virginia Blood Services two weeks ago and would be tickled if it went to any of you or your families.
As noted above, you will need to back off your work outs short term, and you wouldn’t donate a month or so before and important race. So, I’d love it if you’d get out the phone book, get the number of your local Red Cross, and make that appointment today. You never know when the person in need is YOU.
I give blood regularly, every time I’m eligible, and I’ll do a short workout the day of but keep myself hydrated and am keenly aware of my body and how it feels during that workout and the rest of the workouts that week.
The human body is an amazing thing, the blood plasma is regenerated within days and your red blood cells in about 2 weeks, especially if you are working out and eating right.
Giving blood saves lives and is constantly at a shortage. I would encourage all people to think about giving blood if you can. Now, during the off season or as your workouts aren’t excessively long, you could give blood without repercussions.
After donating 450 cc (1 pint) of whole blood, plasma volume falls 10%(+/-). Of the 450cc, only about 160cc are red blood cells. The fluid component, the remaining 290cc, is replaced within hours, but it takes up to 30 days to replenish the red blood cells.
The drop in hemoglobin will reduce your oxygen delivery to working muscles by 10 percent at your aerobic threshold, then recover over the replenishment period. In effect, you are reducing your aerobic threshold by 10% on day one.
If you want to donate but are concerned about performance, I would suggest that you talk to the Red Cross about donating blood platelets using a procedure called phoresis. Your blood is seperated into components and the platelets are removed; the remainder (including red cells) is returned to the donor. The platelets are most often given to patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
I have given over 100 gallons of platelets over the past 23 years and it is very rewarding…you are truly helping to save lives.
I would, but i have a lifetime exemption from Crohns.
I’m not worthy sniff sniff 
I am an endurance athlete…I need my red blood cells
that and I don’t believe in the American Red Cross…I get nothing for donating but if I get in a car accident the next day I’m getting charged out the ass for MY OWN BLOOD!!!
I donated plasma once, the following day went skiing with some buddies, I couldnt hang, my legs were burning, I was huffing and puffing, I was only able to ski half the day…
i would do it again, just not when I had something planned.
Donate! Just ask Vino how important walk-in blood banks are, they can make all the difference.
I donate regularly, usually every 8 weeks, but triathlon is just a hobby for me.
Well, unfortunately, it seems for some people, their whole lives depend on coming 189th in their age group at the next triathlon…
Gee, anyone would think you guys are all racing for thousands and thousands of dollars every morning.
Get a grip on yourselves and reality.
I do this sport because it bring good fun and good health. Sure I like to win, but far out, if there comes a time where I can’t donate blood a couple of times a year because it’s going to knock 2 seconds off my 200m repeats then I will gladly give people permission to slap me across the face and tell me to wake up to myself.
It’s triathlon for christs sake - a cross training activity to keep you fit and healthy.
If you don’t want to donate blood that’s fine, but using the excuse that it’s going to effect your performance oh pllllleeaaassse. Sure the week before a major race or something you’ve been preparing for you would not do it. But in general training, schedule it in, in a few weeks you’re body would be none the wiser.
You could also just donate plasma…