Blood donor runners

[IgaT]

Hi,

Is anyone experienced with running after blood donation? How long should I wait? I donated my blood on Friday, went for a 1 hour walk yesterday (just 3 miles), and I planned some short (maybe 2x 3-5min) trial run on Monday. I am not sure as Friday and Saturday I was really weak and a little dizzy.

I planned to do full run on Wednesday. It will be my W7R1. I will listen to my body, not to push to much, and I will stop if I feel I need to.

I just would like to know how long it usually takes runners to go back on track, so I could estimate and plan better.

Have a great day!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

The last time I donated I ran the next day, and only managed about 3 KM before I ran out of steam. I'd say you'll probably be fine by Monday, but only you can know how you feel. How about you plan a route that allows you to bail out if you need to? It sounds like you've considered all the angles though, so give it a go.

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thank you for sharing and ideas. If I will feel not well, I'll walk or sit down on the grass

Yesterday's walk was slow. In the beginning I walked too fast and sweated a lot and had to make short stop.

During previous donations I was feeling fine even the same day. But I wasn't running back then. The day I donated blood and climb stairs to my bed I got this spikey feeling in my heart for a moment. Feeling weak after giving blood is new for me.

[Hidden in reply to IgaT]

Perhaps mention it to the GP or nurse practioner.

As part of your get fit regime has your diet changed since you last donated blood?

All I'm thinking is if you're diet is quiet restricted, it may be taking a while to manufacture new blood to replace the blood you donated. Not so much volume, which will come back within hours, but the actual make up of it.

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well, indeed my diet has changed. I thin I eat less carbohydrates, at least those from white bread, sweets, and fruits, more from vegetables, wholewheat oats, some from rice/potatoes/pasta.

I think it is due to influence of low atmospheric pressure, as I am person with low blood pressure I am affected by those fluctuations more.

[rmoo]

I gave blood on Friday last week (about 9 days ago now). I attempted my first run on Tues and only managed 1.5 miles before having to walk. It was also very hot that day! I went out again on Thurs and just about managed 3 miles but at about 40secs slower per mile than normal. I tried again yesterday and also managed 3 miles and was only 5 secs per mile faster than Thurs. I had hoped Thurs and Sat would be 5 miles but hey-Ho!

I've a BMI that's the lower end of normal so blood donation does knock me for six. The last time I donated I tried to run two days after and I nearly puked after a mile and had to walk back home.

Generally, I focus on walking after I've given blood more so than running til I get my strength back and to keep my legs moving. Normally after about 2 weeks I'm getting back to normal. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't manage the full run. You've saved potentially three lives after all! 😊 I'd rather sacrifice my running form for a few days than not give blood as that's something that's really important to me to be able to do as often as I can!

[IgaT Graduate in reply to rmoo]

Wow! Thank you for your message. It lifted me up a lot.

I'm aware that for some time I'll be a little off. I wasn't aware that it may take so much time. I won't worry now, even if my next weeks runs end up mostly walks I thought it may happen this week. I'm in top end of normal BMI, so I assume it may take me similar time to recover. Especially, that I'm not so used to running. In the end I did only 6 weeks and it's just the beginning of my journey

Have a great day