Drinking and running - how does this work?

[PersonaNonGarter]

I’m not particularly fit and not particularly boozy. But lots of my booziest friends are also big runners. Big eating/drinking and then head off on a half-marathon sorts.

Does this work? Can I run off a few bottles of wine?

By ‘run off’ I mean mitigate the health implications?

I’m in awe of people who can sink the beer and then get up and get out there. Lots of army friends seem to be like this.

The first time I ever ran a 10k was after stuffing myself with pancakes, I felt very full of energy bizarrely

I actually do wonder if there is a driven energy to this that makes people completely commit.

I feel like shit with a hangover on a quarter of what they consume, and able to function at about 1/8 of what they are able to do.

I imagine that people who run significant distances most days are likely to have pretty high metabolisms, and maybe won’t feel the impact of alcohol as much as those who don’t.

Running (any cardio) is excellent for hangovers. After you’ve stopped wanting to vom, and assuming you hydrate properly.

It’s no coincidence that when I was caning it at worrying levels, I was also a size 8-10, could run 10k in just over 40 mins and was regularly winning competitions at my gym (most pull ups, fastest rowed mile etc etc)

I’m now an (almost) teetotal lone parent to a toddler, quit fags booze and drugs the day I found out I was up-duffed.
I’m now a size 12-14 and can barely run for a bus.

Go figure

it Is impressive.

I am currently wondering how I can improve my drinking stamina so that I don’t get a headache after 1glass of wine. Maybe if I improve my fitness I will be able to drink a bit more.

Increasing your ability to drink alcohol is a bit of an odd aim imo. Fitness doesn't stop lots of alcohol being bad for you, and it doesn't increase your alcohol tolerance, in fact anecdotally I've noticed the opposite. The only way to increase alcohol tolerance is to drink more alcohol! But that still won't necessarily stop you getting hangovers. I'd do the running and stick to your current alcohol intake!

Why feel the need to drink more? if you want to improve your fitness -great. Undoing all your good work by drinking more seems a bit counter productive.

People who are big, regular drinkers tend not to suffer hangovers-which is a danger sign on its own tbh.

By ‘run off’ I mean mitigate the health implications?
In short-no. I see a ridiculous amount of people who feel they can eat and drink what they like because they run/exercise. Their blood test results show otherwise.

What is happening in their blood tests?

These are people who are functioning well in terms of sports, or the ability to have a coffee and shake it off the morning after. I’m not think of one or two - I know a lot of people like this and they are all pretty sporty.

I think you are conflating the lack of a visible hangover with a lack of effect on their long-term health. Excessive alcohol consumption has effects beyong weight gain. You might (if you ran miles and miles every single day) be able to run off the calories from the booze, but that doesn't mean it's not doing you any harm in other ways Not having a hangover doesn't mean the alcohol isn't damaging your health. In fact it might mean the opposite if the lack of hangover is because you're so used to drinking large amounts.

I did my fastest 10 mile run after a boozy night out, got in around 4 and race started at 9.

Was a lot younger though, no way could I do it now.

Their fitness is allowing for their shit eat/drink regime, not the other way around.

If it was, I'd be doing ultramarathons - I've been carb-loading for forty years.

These are people who are functioning well in terms of sports, or the ability to have a coffee and shake it off the morning after. I’m not think of one or two - I know a lot of people like this and they are all pretty sporty.

You probably know plenty of people who don't get hangovers and don't run too... I do! The two aren't related. I've never had a hangover and I'm 28 and not really a runner, I can drink for days and wake up fine, a large coke will sober me up if I need it regardless of what state I'm in. I have running friends who suffer awful hangovers and can't do much but rest and eat the next day...

Running will mean you burn off at least some of the excess calories from drinking, but it won't undo the other negative effects, and it won't mean that you don't get hangovers or your alcohol tolerance is higher. That's down to your biology. It might give you an extra way to burn off a hangover, if you're the type that would get up and run a few miles when feeling rough, and your lifestyle allows for that.

Thinking that you can drink more if you run more is, frankly, rather worrying.
Running to help your physical and mental health is a far better target.

I always have a good long gym session after I've had a lot to drink and find it the most productive. OH says maybe its to do with all the sugar I've had in the wine the night before - maybe he's onto something there!

However I also think that some people (myself included) will exercise whatever they feel like rather than lie on the sofa all day with a hangover. I do prioritise going to the gym over having a lie in or a lazy morning as I like going but I have plenty of friends who think I'm mad!

I find I run quite well after a few drinks, not with a stinking hangover though. In fact I got a 10k PB a few weeks back after drinking wine and whisky until 2am.

However, I do think it's pushing yourself maybe a step too far to make alcohol a part of your training plan!

The Hash House Harriers used to amaze me (expat days). The London one says they are a drinking club with a running problem 🙄.

I have no idea how they did it. They all look like they should drop dead of heart attacks, especially in the warmer climes, but they drink and run and eat rubbish and somehow stay alive!

Good question. There's a running club in Edinburgh, HBT, who are notorious for their drinking and good running. Their founder supposedly did 100 pints and 100 miles in 100 hours. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me though.