donating blood and running?

BrittSwimsJDRF

For those of you that donate blood, how long does it take for you to feel recovered enough to do a long run? Do you feel it much? I'm considering donating again, probably a week after my 1/2 marathon on the 19th, and just wondered how you other runners feel while running, after donating blood?

lre224

I'm not a runner, but I do donate blood. the Red Cross tells you no exercise for 5 hours afterwards & to drink extra fluids for the next 48. I imagine within that time, you'll be able to pick up again.

neznarf0205

Listen to your body. For me I don't wait any time. I normally ride my bicycle to donate, and I laugh when they tell me no physical activity after. Now the first time I gave I drove and waited to see how my reaction was but then I slowly added movement and work after the next couple of times. I do dual red donations (where they take out a pint centrifuge out red cells and put the rest back in and then do it again) but I used to bicycle to regular donations too. Thank you for donating!

lizard053

It's about 2 days drinking extra water to do intense exercise. Sometimes more. Since I'm not a runner, it's hard to say for sure, but I am a cardio nut and I have to tone it down for about 2 days following a donation.

rc630

Depends on the person. I'm small and have low blood pressure, so I usually have to wait 24 hours, but if you're bigger, the amount you donate might not have as much of an effect on you.

trlrnrgrl

I've only done this combo once, so I can only share that one experience. I ran a very easy 5k race then donated and I was shocked at how tired I was the rest of the day! But I would say I felt fine by the next day. It sure seems like you ought to be recovered enough after a day or two to do your next LR?