Beer, chips or cake...what do you forego?

Of the more famous temptations, alcohol, fatty/junk food and sweet/rich treats, what do you find yourself declining because of running?

I find it easy enough to say no to fast food, chips, burgers, pizzas etc. And cake, chocolate and buns too. But don't think any possible improvement in times would see me give up the 6 pack of Aldi beer twice a week.

julyjane

Alcohol. If I'm planning a run I won't drink the day or night before because I know it'll mess up my head, stomach and hydration.

Wouldn't have a bag of chips from the takeaway either because the grease would make my stomach feel heavy for about a day afterwards but I would have a burger, pizza or a chicken fillet kebab no problem. Cake and scones not a problem either but I eat so much of them already I must have built up a bit of a tolerance

Swashbuckler

Conor74 wrote:

Of the more famous temptations, alcohol, fatty/junk food and sweet/rich treats, what do you find yourself declining because of running?

From my experience alcohol has the biggest impact on my running. Without a doubt.

ThisRegard

Nothing, everything is fine in moderation. I still have my weekly takeaway, a biscuit or two a day with tea, chocolate now and again, and beer and wine.

If you're running your ass off and not an elite at national or international level, where's the fun in denying yourself treats, especially as you can afford to indulge?

judeboy101

Cake, no one ever got fat drinking alcohol ;-)

walshb

Alcohol is a “toxin” in certain amounts. Probably the worst thing to be ingesting if you’re serious about running and succeeding/improving..

The other stuff is just food.. relates more to your weight and weight management..yes, good choices can make a difference.

OOnegative

Alcohol if I'm seriously training for something, could go 4-5 months without touching a drop. All the others in moderation as others have said, do have a hoor of a sweet tooth though!!!

BeepBeep67

I've ran some of my best races and times after 1 - 2 quality beers the night before.

Zebra3

Obviously drinking 24 hour before a race or serious training session is a no-no, but wouldn’t cut alcohol out completely but then again I can’t drink it like I used to!!! I actually use it as a motivation during my 30-32km training runs. “Get it done and there’s 3 bottles of x tonight!! Keep going!!”.

No harm in having a treat every so often, gotta live and all that, but I do check the sugar content on what I buy, eg granola, and go for the lowest one.

gramar

Smoking...don't smoke much anyway but running is a good deterrent to cut down or cut it out altogether and in the lead up to a race I wouldn't smoke for 3-4 days.

djemba djemba

Chips, takeaways very rarely. The odd pizza usually post race tho.
Alcohol, the rare blow out but usually long ways out from races and early in training phases. Training will be arranged around going drinking.
Cakes, ah my Achilles heel. Always time for cake.

Zebra3

Started doing my own pizzas from a base with my own toppings and all that as opposed to processed pizzas that you buy frozen.

Simple step.

vanderlyle

Went to a talk earlier this year from a national level marathon runner who said the most important thing is running, and the second most important thing is sleep. Everything else is a long way off these two, in his book at least. Now I wouldn't take that as a license to crack out the Custard Creams and start lorrying them in, but it was a relief to hear someone of that standard saying that you don't have to deny yourself everything.

I'm a sucker for biscuits and cake, so it can be a struggle to rein that in.

On alcohol - like This Regard I don't find any harm in having an occasional beer or couple of glasses of wine. But too much alcohol does disrupt my sleep as well as my ability to get the most from training.

ultrapercy

ThisRegard wrote: »

Nothing, everything is fine in moderation. I still have my weekly takeaway, a biscuit or two a day with tea, chocolate now and again, and beer and wine.

If you're running your ass off and not an elite at national or international level, where's the fun in denying yourself treats, especially as you can afford to indulge?

This moderation you speak of, Id like to learn some more about it. Maybe you could post a link?

Chivito550

One season I ran my fastest time of the season (PB at the time) just days after 2 weeks of solid eating crap and drinking like a fish over Christmas. I then cut down on booze enormously for the rest of the season and didn’t go any faster.

Wouldn’t overthink it. If there’s something you want, just have it. Keep things in moderation.

Personally, I find a couple of pints here and there makes no difference. Heavy binge drinking sessions on the other hand are detrimental. Stags, weddings etc. They leave you in rag order, and then you are susceptible to picking up colds.

OOnegative

Chivito550 wrote: »

One season I ran my fastest time of the season (PB at the time) just days after 2 weeks of solid eating crap and drinking like a fish over Christmas. I then cut down on booze enormously for the rest of the season and didn’t go any faster.

Wouldn’t overthink it. If there’s something you want, just have it. Keep things in moderation.

Personally, I find a couple of pints here and there makes no difference. Heavy binge drinking sessions on the other hand are detrimental. Stags, weddings etc. They leave you in rag order, and then you are susceptible to picking up colds.

Ye track fairies obviously have better self restraint than the road runner(well me anyway). If i drink its a binge unfortunately but luckily enough that happens 3-4 times a year. I feel the impact after only a few drinks, i know it doesn't suit me, but the beer in Holland is to nice and to cheap:eek::eek::eek:

Chivito550

This thread reminded me of this recent tweet from Hannah England.

https://twitter.com/hannengland/status/915503771446366208

kit3

ultrapercy wrote: »

This moderation you speak of, Id like to learn some more about it. Maybe you could post a link?

Here you go ....

Hannibal_Smith

kit3 wrote: »

Here you go ....

:pac: Just spat me wine mineral water out:D

IvoryTower

I live in a neverending cycle of trying to cut out junk. Rarely successful but i figure if i wasnt trying itd be worse.

I dont feel the bad food effects how i perform in races/training but its the belly id be concerned about.

walshb

IvoryTower wrote: »

I live in a neverending cycle of trying to cut out junk. Rarely successful but i figure if i wasnt trying itd be worse.

I dont feel the bad food effects how i perform in races/training but its the belly id be concerned about.

Bad food/belly? Not linked...?

IvoryTower

Yep well it does effect that, but so does any food. I just mean how you feel lile the way you feel bad hungover and dont perform as well.

hot buttered scones

Well, I never eat cake when I'm drinking beer, and I never eat chips after eating cake. Does that count?

average_runner

We only live once and we aren't professionals!

So enjoy life when you can.

walshb

average_runner wrote: »

We only live once and we aren't professionals!

Don't need to be professional/elite to be serious and committed and eager to better yourself..

ThisRegard

You don't need to not enjoy life to be serious and committed and eager to better yourself..

walshb

Nobody said or mentioned 'removing' or 'curbing' joy......

Joy can be quite subjective depending on the person and situation....

average_runner

walshb wrote: »

Don't need to be professional/elite to be serious and committed and eager to better yourself..

There is trying to better yourself and then realizing looking back that you didn't you better yourself as missed out on alot of time with your friends and love ones!

There is a balance and if you do everything in moderation from social life to training you be alot happier for it.

walshb

average_runner wrote: »

There is trying to better yourself and then realizing looking back that you didn't you better yourself as missed out on alot of time with your friends and love ones!

There is a balance and if you do everything in moderation from social life to training you be alot happier for it.

Like I said, you don't have to necessarily "suffer" or miss out to improve yourself at running. The real suffering is the training. But that's a given.

It's all about attitude. Maybe see the changes or "restrictions" as life improvements or life pick ups. You may actually get more from life and more enjoyment.

Take eating "crappy" food from time to time. Who's to say that giving it up or curbing it has to mean losing some life enjoyment?

Alcohol? Who's to say that really curbing it or giving up means a loss of life enjoyment...?

Could it not mean more happiness of enjoyment? That possible?

Back to running and wanting to perform at your best.....Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what will help you best..

ReeReeG

Alcohol is the easiest to forego. Definitely feel sluggish even after a few beers / glasses of wine and I try to run the next day. That said, it's easier to give up when you're getting older and have no urge to binge... and it's harder to stay away from the chocolate and cakes when you're sitting on the couch on a Saturday night!

average_runner

ReeReeG wrote: »

Alcohol is the easiest to forego. Definitely feel sluggish even after a few beers / glasses of wine and I try to run the next day. That said, it's easier to give up when you're getting older and have no urge to binge... and it's harder to stay away from the chocolate and cakes when you're sitting on the couch on a Saturday night!

A bottle of beer the night before is actually good before your run!

Alf Veedersane

walshb wrote: »

Alcohol is a “toxin” in certain amounts. Probably the worst thing to be ingesting if you’re serious about running and succeeding/improving..

The other stuff is just food.. relates more to your weight and weight management..yes, good choices can make a difference.

None of the above are good for you in 'certain amounts'.

The only reason I'd argue for alcohol being worse than the others is where it has a negative impact on sleep.

Macy0161

average_runner wrote: »

A bottle of beer the night before is actually good before your run!

Carb Loading!

Personally, I find beer (and actually eating cake) has more of an impact on me after a race/ session/ endurance event than if I partake before. Seems to hamper my recovery more than performance is my n=1 study. Which could be tied to Alf's point about the sleep.

Itziger

ReeReeG wrote: »

Alcohol is the easiest to forego. Definitely feel sluggish even after a few beers / glasses of wine and I try to run the next day. That said, it's easier to give up when you're getting older and have no urge to binge... and it's harder to stay away from the chocolate and cakes when you're sitting on the couch on a Saturday night!

Where do I start? Drinking doesn't need to mean binge-drinking. I drink a small amount of alcohol roughly 365 days a year. Typically a beer in the evening (preparing dinner) and a glass or two of wine with the meal. At the weekend I might have a second or third beer and/or a glass or two more of wine. But I almost never, ever binge drink. I run between 5 and 7 days a week. Almost never notice any difference. Say one Saturday evening I drink 1 glass of wine and the next I have a few beers and a few glasses of wine. Sunday long run could be more enjoyable the second week. I've seen little or no correlation.

Drinking an hour or two before a run...... that can be a challenge, though I've done it! The amount is important though and maybe the intensity of the run. An old 6x1k@ 10k pace after a few jars would be tough.

But the next day? Nah!

ReeReeG

I think I need to clarify my own vague statement. I don't binge myself, but having not drank for about 5 months at the start of this year for a number of reasons, I do notice a difference in how I feel if I now have more than 1 drink the night before a run. As someone pointed out already, it is probably more to do with a restful sleep than the alcohol itself.

Of course, my housemate has pointed out to me that most of my PBs this year came in weeks where I had drank alcohol at some point so most likely I am talking out of my arse.

Itziger wrote: »

ReeReeG wrote: »

Alcohol is the easiest to forego. Definitely feel sluggish even after a few beers / glasses of wine and I try to run the next day. That said, it's easier to give up when you're getting older and have no urge to binge... and it's harder to stay away from the chocolate and cakes when you're sitting on the couch on a Saturday night!

Where do I start? Drinking doesn't need to mean binge-drinking. I drink a small amount of alcohol roughly 365 days a year. Typically a beer in the evening (preparing dinner) and a glass or two of wine with the meal. At the weekend I might have a second or third beer and/or a glass or two more of wine. But I almost never, ever binge drink. I run between 5 and 7 days a week. Almost never notice any difference. Say one Saturday evening I drink 1 glass of wine and the next I have a few beers and a few glasses of wine. Sunday long run could be more enjoyable the second week. I've seen little or no correlation.

Drinking an hour or two before a run...... that can be a challenge, though I've done it! The amount is important though and maybe the intensity of the run. An old 6x1k@ 10k pace after a few jars would be tough.

But the next day? Nah!

Itziger

I think I need to clarify my own vague statement. I don't binge myself, but having not drank for about 5 months at the start of this year for a number of reasons, I do notice a difference in how I feel if I now have more than 1 drink the night before a run. As someone pointed out already, it is probably more to do with a restful sleep than the alcohol itself.

Of course, my housemate has pointed out to me that most of my PBs this year came in weeks where I had drank alcohol at some point so most likely I am talking out of my arse.

Hehe, I tried giving up altogether once and improved the marathon time by 2 minutes. Next one I went back on normal service and brought the time down by 4 minutes. I really don't know. Just that for me it seems to make no difference. Beer and wine are integral parts of my life, in small quantities. But integral.

average_runner

Itziger wrote: »

I think I need to clarify my own vague statement. I don't binge myself, but having not drank for about 5 months at the start of this year for a number of reasons, I do notice a difference in how I feel if I now have more than 1 drink the night before a run. As someone pointed out already, it is probably more to do with a restful sleep than the alcohol itself.

Of course, my housemate has pointed out to me that most of my PBs this year came in weeks where I had drank alcohol at some point so most likely I am talking out of my arse.

Hehe, I tried giving up altogether once and improved the marathon time by 2 minutes. Next one I went back on normal service and brought the time down by 4 minutes. I really don't know. Just that for me it seems to make no difference. Beer and wine are integral parts of my life, in small quantities. But integral.

You can't beat a nice cold beer on a Friday or Sat night at home when the kids are gone to bed.

ThisRegard

Itziger wrote: »

Where do I start? Drinking doesn't need to mean binge-drinking. I drink a small amount of alcohol roughly 365 days a year. Typically a beer in the evening (preparing dinner) and a glass or two of wine with the meal. At the weekend I might have a second or third beer and/or a glass or two more of wine. But I almost never, ever binge drink.

Tut tut. According to the WHO you are a binge drinker. They define binge drinking as 3 or more pints in a session, i.e. 6 standard drinks. In the strictest sense (and I mean that in more ways than one), most people probably 'binge' more often than they think.

Alcohol Action Ireland/Drink Aware/Ray Darcy will be gunning for me today. I 'binged' on Saturday night at home while snacking on crips, peanuts and popcorn. Then got the serious munchies and had a 3-in-1 to fill that gap.

And out of spite for this thread I got up early Sunday morning for a longish run, running it quicker than what I did when I previously ran that particular route.

walshb

average_runner wrote: »

You can't beat a nice cold beer on a Friday or Sat night at home when the kids are gone to bed.

You make a great point. Get rid of the fooking kids....they hold you back more than any 12 inch pizza or bottle of beer!

average_runner

walshb wrote: »

You make a great point. Get rid of the fooking kids....they hold you back more than any 12 inch pizza or bottle of beer!

In fairness they are a great alarm for the 7am Sunday morning run!!

Alf Veedersane

average_runner wrote: »

In fairness they are a great alarm for the 7am Sunday morning run!!

Fortunately, 7am is just when they get put on snooze until 8.

Chivito550

ThisRegard wrote: »

Tut tut. According to the WHO you are a binge drinker. They define binge drinking as 3 or more pints in a session, i.e. 6 standard drinks. In the strictest (and I mean that in more ways than one), most people probably 'binge' more often than they think.

Alcohol Action Ireland/Drink Aware/Ray Darcy will be gunning for me today. I 'binged' on Saturday night at home while snacking on crips, peanuts and popcorn. Then got the serious munchies and had a 3-in-1 to fill that gap.

And out of spite for this thread I got up early Sunday morning for a longish run, running it quicker than what I did when I previously ran that particular route.

Drink Smithwicks and you can stretch that out to 3.5 pints before you are binge drinking.

Over 21 units in a week is binge drinking. I’m usually good at staying well under that amount to be honest. I could easily have no more than 10 units in a normal week.

Of course, I had roughly 40 standard drinks in the space of 40 hours on a stag this weekend, and am on day 2 of a 2 day hangover. Truly horrific stuff. The good news is I have 2 weddings and a stag in the space of 4 weeks smack bang in the middle of the track season next year!! The way things have gone, they tend to be whole weekend affairs now. Weddings are tough, but stags are absolute killers.

Life does get in the way some times. In such instances, it’s best just to roll with it, enjoy it, and fit the running around it as best you can.

walshb

That's why you'll never break 45 seconds for 400, pal!

Itziger

ThisRegard wrote: »

Tut tut. According to the WHO you are a binge drinker. They define binge drinking as 3 or more pints in a session, i.e. 6 standard drinks. In the strictest (and I mean that in more ways than one), most people probably 'binge' more often than they think.

Alcohol Action Ireland/Drink Aware/Ray Darcy will be gunning for me today. I 'binged' on Saturday night at home while snacking on crips, peanuts and popcorn. Then got the serious munchies and had a 3-in-1 to fill that gap.

And out of spite for this thread I got up early Sunday morning for a longish run, running it quicker than what I did when I previously ran that particular route.

Tut, tut. My beer is a 33cl bottle! Otherwise, you're probably right, but remember I'm from a generation where the drink/drive ads said, Don't have that 5th pint if you're driving!!!!!!!!

average_runner

Chivito550 wrote: »

Drink Smithwicks and you can stretch that out to 3.5 pints before you are binge drinking.

Over 21 units in a week is binge drinking. I’m usually good at staying well under that amount to be honest. I could easily have no more than 10 units in a normal week.

Of course, I had roughly 40 standard drinks in the space of 40 hours on a stag this weekend, and am on day 2 of a 2 day hangover. Truly horrific stuff. The good news is I have 2 weddings and a stag in the space of 4 weeks smack bang in the middle of the track season next year!! The way things have gone, they tend to be whole weekend affairs now. Weddings are tough, but stags are absolute killers.

Life does get in the way some times. In such instances, it’s best just to roll with it, enjoy it, and fit the running around it as best you can.

Got to let the hair down sometimes. The hangovers are there to remind us not to do it too often:D

Murph_D

I gave up the beer for three months before Boston and added 15 minutes to my marathon time. Never again!