Hangovers & Training??*

Iron Enthusiast

As well as train and trying to be fit I also have a normal life which enevitably leads to the odd (wait for it) Hangover!!!:eek:

When I'm hungover it definitely affects my training and even my Heart Rate is higher!

Just wondering:

1) How do you guys handle your hangovers?
2) How long do you think the negative affects on your trainin last (1 or days days?)
3) How do you avoid looking like a drag if your out and just decide not to drink, but get alot of grief off of others for not drinking,
4) Or grief formissing nights out with friends because your training the next day?

I know hangovers are realitive to the quantity your drink, so just looking for peoples thoughts / opinions / suggestions on the above!:)

Blueskye

I decided a while back not to drink for a while and see how it goes. My friends couldn't care less if I'm drinking pints or fizzy water and it means I get to see them and get my training-in the next day without the nasty hangover. So far so good.

louthandproud

For me a 39 year old male with a lot of drinking history and friends that still have issues in that area.

1) How do you guys handle your hangovers? Badly, I can barely function for a day or two, running is completely off the agenda.
2) How long do you think the negative affects on your training last (1 or days days?) For me a 5-7 pint evening is day off anything more is usually 3+ even a week sometimes.
3) How do you avoid looking like a drag if your out and just decide not to drink, but get alot of grief off of others for not drinking, I avoid it by not going out, or show up late and leave (skeak off) early.
4) Or grief for missing nights out with friends because your training the next day? My non running friends generally won't/don't understand so I make another excuse for not going out, study, work, baby etc..

liamo

I don't think it's a good idea to be training with a hangover and I don't do it. Blood pressure is raised, dehydration is an issue, the body is trying to clear itself of toxins and I don't think that's a great time to be putting it under additional stress.

I regularly go off booze for a few months at a time if I want to concentrate hard on training for a while. Not drinking doesn't affect me socially at all. In fact, it means I can drive and not worry about getting a taxi in/out of town. There's also the savings that come from not boozing and the associated weight-loss that usually accompanies a healthier lifestyle.

When I'm not off booze I apply some common-sense when out at night and training the next morning. A few drinks is ok but if I go a little mad I'll lie in and skip training the next morning.

goofygirl

I haven't really been drinking this summer, generally I'll have two drinks on a Saturday night (reward for long run ) and that's about it. My friends are delighted, actually, because it means there's always a designated driver on hand - we do a lot of the BBQ/house party type thing.

I figure that why make a hard task (marathon training) even harder with hangovers. Also to be honest after a long run I'm usually as drunk after one drink as I'd be after four on a non-exhausted night. (I'm not the designated driver on those nights though!)

jinka

Ive often had great runs after a nites drinking. Strange really.
Still, I believe in a balance in my life therefore I have a few when I go out but never completely "out of it". Its importartant to not be a running/triathlon bore at get togethers either. Leave that to cool downs after races. None of us are full timers and nothing I hate more is "im not having a drink,ive a race in a week"!!

hunnymonster

I don't drink (haven't done so in years) but it's not a sports thing. I totally agree with Jinka though, you only get one shot at life, moderation is a key.

Clum

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

3) How do you avoid looking like a drag if your out and just decide not to drink, but get alot of grief off of others for not drinking

Whatever you do don't be afraid to not drink!

I like going out, I like having a few beers and I like stumbling home at 7am on a Sunday morning. But I also like getting my training in and improving on my personal bests.

2 years ago I decided some nights of sobriety had to be had in order to get 20 mile runs in the next morning. At first I felt weird drinking diet 7-up, lucozade, alcohol free beer, etc, but got used to it. Everyone of my mates thought I was a loon! They thought I was mad for not drinking, never mind doing 20 mile runs.

Since then I've had an equal share of nights out drinking and not drinking. These include birthday parties, weddings, music festivals, etc. I'll admit it's not easy going to big nights out and not drinking when everybody else is but you get used to it. Especially when there will be nights out with drink involved at a later stage. Look for the balance and make sure there's a reward for yourself after a period of hard training and racing.

thirtyfoot

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

1) How do you guys handle your hangovers?

I can't train properly with a hangover. I've recently taken to having a couple of water breaks on the night. Maybe miss a round or two and have a pint of water. Drink a pint of water when you get home.

I also have to handle a hangover when I am coaching younger kids who may look up to me as a role model. In that case I wear my Oakleys.

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

2) How long do you think the negative affects on your trainin last (1 or days days?)

I am old now so the two day hangover is fully immersed in me. Depends on the (training) session though. If its a power session like shorts sprints the effect of the booze can be great as you have the testosterone pumping through you like a horny 16 year old so you are prowling around like Maurice Greene. Anything that involves real exertion and its game over.

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

3) How do you avoid looking like a drag if your out and just decide not to drink, but get alot of grief off of others for not drinking,

I avoid going out unless I am up to my normal drinking standards. So if I know I can't drink I stay for one or two and then feck off. Its better to be out for 3 massive drinking sessions a year where you bring your A game to the table instead of going for a dozen half hearted p*ssy sessions.

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

4) Or grief formissing nights out with friends because your training the next day?

They understand and appreciate when I bring the A game 3 times a year and I get so wasted they are glad to not see me for another few months.

shels4ever

1) How do you guys handle your hangovers?

I don't its usually a day written off, Doesnt happen too often now, would have a coupe of drinks a week but take lots of water and know my limit now. But the odd time it all goes out the window and its 2 days written off.

2) How long do you think the negative affects on your trainin last (1 or days days?)
3 days at least .
3) How do you avoid looking like a drag if your out and just decide not to drink, but get alot of grief off of others for not drinking,

I don't go out in drag


4) Or grief for missing nights out with friends because your training the next day?
Think why your not going out more fun training or finishing your race then the odd beer, friends and night out will always be there.

menoscemo

I have done a few decently long morning runs with a hangover (10 mile +) but generally at a lower pace and a higher HR. If you drink loads of water before, during and after your run, you generally sweat out all the toxins and by the time you get back home the hangover is gone.

I do however prefer to do longer runs on a friday evening to get them out of the way so they don't affect my drinking!! (rushes out the door to go on 15 mile LSR)
I find I am fine for a run on monday even if I drink friday and saturday night.

nerraw1111

I'm usually capable of putting in a decent run with a hangover. Sometimes a hangover is just the motiviation I need to get out running.

It evens helps shake the hangover off by flushing your system out through plenty of water and sweat.

A beer always taste better after you've earned it. So fitness and boozing can sit quite well together.

Timmaay

Hmmm, i duno how many times I've had a big enough race whatever morning, but my friends drag me out on a big bender, 10pints and feck all sleep later its race time , doesn't seem to bother me at all during the race, I do tend to crash after the race but who cares about that. A few of the 40+ lads in my local club were cursing how I manage to get away with doing that, the joys of still being in my early 20s:D

Aimman

I enjoy a few beers on a night out, and in some cases, a few beers the night before a race or a LSR (not always, but its been done) but in my case I drink the German Wheat beer (Weissbier) and it makes a world of difference for the following reasons

1: Its brewed to the Bavarian Purity laws (four ingredients) so there are no chemicals, artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives

2: It has a high level of carbs

3: It wont give you a hangover the next morning. The only advice is to drink a couple of pints of water before going to bed.

Anyone going to Berlin for the Marathon next month wont be able to miss the massive Eirdinger stand at the expo or at the finish (granted, its the alco free version, but still marketed as an isotonic, carbo loading hydratation sports drink)

Might sound weird, but as part of my pre marathon preperation, I'll have three or four bottles of Eirdinger, or Paulaner or Schofferhoffer the night before a marathon or LSR to load up on the carbs and help me relax for the night (along with some water). But even when I'm not running and just on a nigt out, Weissbeer wont give you a pounding hangover the next day, its like liquid bread

Running with a hangover is not fun, and it cant be doing your body much good. The usually beers are loaded with artifical stuff which is what makes you groggy the next morning. Try the German stuff and see what you think. If you cant take to the taste of Weissbeer, the Pils has similar qualities, but not as good in providing you with the carbs.