Blood donation effect on running

[ecrituredouce]

I run 10k 3/4 times a week along with other exercise and I'm thinking of training for longer distances. They have appealed for blood donors in my area, I've never donated before so I'm wondering how it affects running. Thanks for any information.

They recommend against exercise on the day of donation.

I find I feel more tired for about a week after a blood donation and this obviously affects my runs. However my iron tends towards the low side anyway.

On my last attempt (mid training for a half) my iron levels had dropped below the required level and therefore I couldn't donate, and a member of staff told me long distance running can have that effect. I googled it and there was a lot of conflicting information so I'm not sure how valid that is.

Thanks, yes long distance running can definitely reduce iron as far as I am aware.

Blood donation doesn't affect me in any noticeable way. I wouldn't run on the day but after that I think it'd be fine.

I am definitely more tired for 3-4 days after a donation, so don't go if I have an event coming up, but if it is just running for the sake of it, I just go and accept it will be a bit harder/slower than normal.

I used to donate after a run and the blood came out really quickly! Never really noticed any tiredness but am a slow runner anyway.

They recommend you don’t do strenuous exercise within 24 hours but I have been giving blood for over 20 years and never had any ill effects later in the week.

I think it's very individual. Last time I donated I was wiped out for a week and haven't been back because of it (which I feel very guilty for).

I've donated for over 20 years and run 3 or 4 times a week. I avoid running on the day and the day after but apart from that no issues.
Did a half marathon 2 weeks after my last donation, no issues.

I used to be a regular blood donor but when I started running more seriously my iron stores would get very low (haemoglobin was fine, so I'd still have passed the test to donate) and I ended up having to supplement iron. If you are planning to increase your training I don't think it's a good time to start donating blood.

Thanks everyone, for some reason I've been really nervous about donating. I don't know why as I'm not scared of needles or anything.

I am a competitive runner and time my donations around races.
My performance is affected for a couple of weeks post donation.
I feel absolutely fine I'm unable to really push for a little while.
I'm often borderline low on iron which I think is normal for me, it just means I don't have much of a buffer.

I usually run on the day I donate (before!), make sure I drink loads and then have a complete day off sport the day after.

I always feel fine afterwards. I wouldn't run the same day. But next day is fine. The only time I had trouble donating (they struggled to get the needle in and establish the flow) was when I had run to the donation centre (only 5k). They told me off and said I shouldn't have run immediately beforehand.

Only cos you were dehydrated I should think

Maybe @CharlotteBog

It had an effect on me for a couple of weeks after so I have to be quite careful about timing. I run a lot and I know my iron is generally on the low side of normal but you may be different.

I've donated a few times and enjoyed doing so. However I've had to stop now as I've found it affects my running more and more. Last time I felt awful every time I ran for about a month after - like running thru custard. I've always waited at least 48 hrs after donating.
My iron levels are def on the low side so I think donating just tips me over the edge. It's a real shame.

I'm a bit off for about 48hrs after donating. I just plan all my workouts around the donation session, eat lots before and just after and take it easy for a couple of days. My iron levels have always been fine.

I mistakenly once did a gentle parkrun the day after a donation. Despite taking it very easy it was like running up Everest. Numpty.

I mistakenly tried to do an 18 mile marathon training run 48 hrs after donating 🤦🏼‍♀️ I had to stop at 12 miles as I felt so ill and my husband had to come and pick me up

It takes me 4-6 weeks to get completely back to normal (in terms of running) after giving blood.

If I didn't run, I wouldn't notice any difference at all, even with swimming. But it does have a detrimental effect on my running. I've done the parkrun thing after donating on a Friday too. It wasn't fun.