I signed up to give blood on Wednesday and I just realized I’m running a 10k the following Monday. Should I expect any change in performance and should I do anything differently in training (like take the day off)? This is the first time I’ve given blood, so I don’t know what to expect as far as after-effects.
I gave bloos on the Thursday beofre a hilly 10k on the Sunday. I reckon that I lost a good minute o tow based on runners who I beat in a 10k a few weeks before.
But good for you for giving blood.
The docs will prob say to miss training after your donation on Wed. I’ve trained though, and have noticed a difference - my throat felt v narrow and I couldn’t get enough oxygen - but I was running hard.
So I’d take it easier in future.
Unless you’re a professional athlete, don’t worry about performance. If you’re healthy and able to donate blood, do it. You will improve the quality of and/or save the lives of three people.
Sometimes when I’ve donated I have felt no worse for the wear but took it easy for 24 hours. Other times I’ve felt a bit more drained but nothing that lasted more than 48 hours (btw I weigh 118 lbs). My 18 year old son donated for his first time in April and I couldn’t have been much prouder.
You’ll feel good inside.
I hear that there are some medicinal pluses to giving blood, as it helps your system. Similar to women’s menstruation , reduces iron ( within reason ) , has the body produce fresh blood , I think it helped in a cardiovascular way ?
I like to take it easy for at least 24 hours afterwards (sometimes longer)… just do what they tell you to do in terms of eating, drinking etc.
Although in hindsight it wasn’t a smart thing to do, I once donated on my way to almost 3 hours of playing squash, and it certainly had an impact on how many beers I could manage once I finally got home.
I find I’m a bit more tired than normal for a day or two but fine after that. I have slightly high iron levels anyway so they reckon it actually helps me if I donate each 3 months. And hey, downunder, you get a free blood pressure check, free blood test and a free meal!
I donated a few weeks ago and definately felt it for 3 days or so. I took the next day off of training, drank plenty of liquids, ate a huge steak on the grill, and generally ate more calories with a focus on protein, green veggies, and fruit for a couple of days.
IANAD, but…
After you have replaced the fluid volume (within 24 hours or so) the main lasting effect will be that you have given away 10% or so of your (oxygen-carrying) hemoglobin. You haven’t altered your engine, just the capacity of the pipeline that delivers the oxygen to your muscles. At aerobic exercise intensity, you won’t notice the missing hemoglobin. If you’re doing maximal, anaerobic efforts, where you need every oxygen molecule you can suck up, there will be a difference. It takes several weeks to replace the red blood cells & hemoglobin.
Steve Stuart