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I donate regularly, but this year I have a lot of races lined up (mainly running) and fitting donations in between them is a challenge. So, how long should I leave between donating and racing? 2 weeks? 2 months? Any ideas?
I give blood a lot. I've done a 10km the next day, and really don't recommend it.
A couple of days - up to a week - and you'll be fine (IMO, obviously).
If you can give blood every 12 weeks (assuming Maleness) then presumably your blood levels are back to normal by then.
How much blood are you planning to donate? An armful? 😂
A couple of days – up to a week – and you’ll be fine
Thats my experience. I would also agree with the not racing the next day as well (Not my finest hour).
Allegedly after 5-7 days your body super compensates so you end up with more blood cells than before (I think you would need to be fit to notice this so can’t comment)
4-6 weeks apparently...
https://blog.nasm.org/fitness/donating-blood-and-exercise-what-athletes-should-know/
See if you can get it put back in just before your race 😛
An armful?
That’s slightly more than a pint.
Depends on the size of your arms, surely, Perchy?
I was measuring using the Hancock scale which is the universally recognised metric for blood volume.
A pint - thats very nearly an armful.
A couple of days, maybe longer if you are planning a race.
perchypanther
I was measuring using the Hancock scale which is the universally recognised metric for blood volume.
This may be a give away of your age.
I saw it when it was first played... 🙂
It depends what level you are racing at, but I find it takes around 3-4 weeks to be back where I was before donating.
I've recently started giving platelets instead, which I feel recovered from in 24 hours. Might be worth a look at?
Thanks all. The reason I ask is I'm giving blood 10 days before a half marathon, and I'd like to put a reasonable time in to it.
I think I'll rearrange to be safe.
I'd strongly recommend you DON'T give blood then go straight to a 2 hour national league volleyball training session. I didn't pass out but it was close
Apparently, giving blood, then going straight to the pub, because you get pissed quicker/cheaper, because you have less blood, isn't recommended.
Don't it before a nightshift. Worst night of trying to stay awake at night ever.
😮
Well, every day's a school day. I've never really given it a second thought. I don't race at anything, but I do plenty of all-day and multi-day rides. I've definitely given blood in the day and then ridden or done other exercise in the evening. Never had any issues, and I've just got my 25 donations badge.
Slightly related: a few times ago I couldn't donate because of low iron levels - too low for donation, but not low enough for concern generally. I'm pretty sure my diet has enough iron and vitamin a/c (needed to absorb iron), but it was the day after I'd done a long tiring ride, so put it down to this, as apparently it can affect iron levels.
I forgot and went and did a long ride the day before my last donation - just scraped through with 136mg/l (limit is 135).
TL;DR don't try to donate soon after a lot of exercise - three strikes and you're out.