How long should I wait after routine blood donation before resuming running?

[swanscot]

I'm giving blood next Tuesday evening and was wondering how long I should wait before running again and continuing with the programme. I'll be in the middle of week 6 and as I usually run in the morning, I'll make sure I schedule a run for Tuesday morning before donating.

[Cornish_Piglet Graduate]

I'd drink pleny after donating and before my next run and be tempted to go out on the Thursday or Friday as usual but it's worth checking with the nurse at the donation station.

[isntitpretty]

I gave blood last Monday and went out for a run Wednesday 2 days later. Recommend you drink loads of water though. I drank a couple of pints prior to giving blood, double they recommend and continued to drink lots. Check with nurse if as Cornish_piglet says too if you are worried.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

My DIL gives blood on a regular basis and leave 3 days before exercising again. She says it takes her that long to feeling back to normal. It will do you no harm to have an extra day off between runs. Well done on your donation too.

[RhonaL]

I was very tired after my last donation at week 4. I ended up leaving it for about five days in the end but I would play it by ear. As you hill walk I think you would probably bounce back faster than me. But would echo the drinking lots of water beforehand and after your donation. Off subject - If you have a biggish dog they can also give blood - there is a wonderful charity called Pet Blood Bank. One of my labradors is signed up for donation when they have enough to have a session in Somerset.

[swanscot Graduate]

Thank you all for the advice. It's usually not an issue as I've never been in a position where I'm doing any exercise which is stretching me. I'm so addicted to this programme - and impatient to finish - that don't want to miss any days when I could be running. I may squeeze in an extra run this weekend so I don't fall behind if I need to leave it for two days afterwards.

[Legion Graduate]

I gave blood on a Wednesday afternoon and went out for my usual run the following morning. I did ask the nurse if that would be okay, and she said so long as I felt fine then yes. I can't remember which week I was on at the time (maybe W3 or 4) but the donation seemed to go better than ever (must be all that extra blood pumping round my system!) as did the run the next day.

[pingle Graduate]

I had this same question a few months ago. The answers are here couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

From my own experience don't be disappointed if you take a couple of weeks to get back to normal. You have not lost any of your hard won fitness but you can't expect your body to take a hit like losing a pint of blood with no effect! I would take it easier than normal. Maybe try one of the W6 interval runs and leave the 25min run until the next week. Make sure you are well hydrated and don't be too disappointed if it seems a bit harder than usual for a week or two. Good luck and BTW giving blood is a great thing to do so well done. Also it's no harm to take longer than 9 weeks to finish the programme. Lots of people repeat runs or weeks for all sorts of reasons. You will get there in the end!

Good luck

[simonwilliamstutor Graduate]

I'm giving blood on Thursday afternoon. Gonna try W4R3 on Friday... wish me luck!