Comments on: Friends don’t let friends drink and run ( … do they?)

By: carpeviam

carpeviam — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:25:03 +0000

Interesting. I’m like you. I dry up about a month before a marathon. Not because I think it will really help/hurt me otherwise, but for my mental state it works wonders!

By: Chito Peppler

Chito Peppler — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:35:51 +0000

Amy,

This is a great post and I’ve also enjoyed reading others’ comments.

For me, I try to cut back because I agree that it’s psychological. However, I normally drink beer all the way up to the race and even drank beer during this year’s MCM at Crystal City. Here’s proof I did:

By: lindsay

lindsay — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:49:11 +0000

i already don’t drink much as it is. i mean maybe once a month, MAYBE. i did have a beer 2 nights before NYC — to help me fall asleep of course. i don’t think the 1 drink hurt me much, but i’m no scientist.

i, uh, did drink in college, but when i decided to run a marathon (to be held in feb of my senior year) i cut back a lot on my former ‘college drinking’ habits.

By: David

David — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:45:22 +0000

I generally avoid all alcohol two days before a race but I do have friends who’ll have a beer or two the night before. I doubt that one drink would have much of an effect, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Not to mention that going without for a week or so before makes celebrating with a brew after the race is that much more fun.

By: Turtle Head

Turtle Head — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:17:35 +0000

If you are interested in exploring the effect of drinking and running, I suggest looking up your local hashing group. No, it has nothing to do with drugs. Just a “Drinking Club with a running problem”. If you want more info, google it. There are clubs all over the world.

By: JT

JT — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:43:37 +0000

I have run a half marathon hung over. (Enough said.) I wasn’t sure how much it hurt my performance, but the morning of I was certainly less nervous than I usually am. I agree with the article because of the dehydrating effects of alcohol probably best to stay away. But does beer not count as carbo-loading anymore?

By: Oblivion

Oblivion — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:36:25 +0000

Nothing cures a hangover like a good, well-hydrated run. Yeah, I just might stroke out one day. . . . I cut back before races, but I do have one glass of wine or one beer the night before to chillax a bit.

By: trialsoftraining

trialsoftraining — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:07:02 +0000

Ha, um, my take on this has changed pretty dramatically in the past year or so. First half marathon – I was a senior in college, therefore, determined not to let the running Completely take over (there’s fun to be had!). But, I did “dry up” for about ~10 days before the race. Same with the next two half-ms.

Then, I realized that when I took a more “relaxed” approach to races, I did much better. When I wasn’t SO over-concerned with eating/drinking (which also coincided with me becoming much more comfortable/less intimated by the 13.1 mile distance) – I did MUCH better and really enjoyed the running and racing a lot more.

This summer – the night before the Annapolis 10-miler I actually Went Out. I was not concerned about the race – as it was just supposed to be fun and I thought I was gonna die anyway. haha. So, I figured, why not? Had a few beers, stayed out for a few hours, drank Lots of water before bed…..I was FINE. and had So much fun at that race.

Anyway! wow, this is getting long. Basically – I definitely cut it back, but don’t restrict myself from a beer or glass of wine pre-race if I want it. it’s not a staple in the routine, by any means. But, if I’m out, and feel like it, I have a “why not” attitude ( and a glass of water by my bed! ) .

By: KateKirk

KateKirk — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:15:21 +0000

I can’t imagine serious drinking the night before a long run or race. Even if you attempt to balance it out with water, alcohol impairs your body all over, from dehydration to poor sleep to other effects like Amy cites. For runs under 10 miles, I wouldn’t have more than a glass or 2 of wine and LOTS of water, over 10 miles, none. But I’m also not the world’s most serious runner — probably a more serious drinker

I teetotaled for 10 days before MCM, so the martinis the night of were particularly sweet reward.

By: amyreinink

amyreinink — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:03:02 +0000

Oh, wow. Drinking WHILE running is something totally different! I could never. Ever. Ever. I had a friend who used to fill a Camelbak with beer before the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta. In July. I get nauseous just thinking about it.