If you drink alcohol before exercise (running), can this be dangerous?

Question

Im a runner (yes I know fellow runners are going to criticise me for this question). But im also a student and avoiding a night out/drink is hard so I try and work-hard-play-hard, my question is:

I went out and had a few drinks with some mates (2 litters) but am running every day at 3am (4miles in under 30min), well, I didn't want to miss my morning run so after getting home from being out with my mates I went on my morning run (I hadn't slept) I was very dehydrated but still pushed myself to make 30min. Iv woken up with a pain in my lower right rib it feels like a bruise but I don't believe I hurt my rib, could this be a result of the drink? And how dangerous is exercise after drinking?

Thanks

Answer 1

...

I suspect you know that alcohol and running don't mix, and certainly many will warn you against the serious danger of dehydration.

There are a number of good reasons to not drink alcohol right before running.

-double dehydration (you've heard that several times!)

-loss of form.  Think about it.  You can only improve as a runner if you are running maintaining good running form.  Drinking alcohol, especially 2 liters of beer, can only cause you to lose form, and not gain the benefits of any run you do.

-risk of injury.  Not necessarily from falling, but that can happen.  Mostly from improper foot placement, or running over cracks or stones that in your clear mind you would normally see and avoid.

-risk of injuries that occur and you don't know how you got them, and consequently don't know how to treat them.  Did you fall and hurt your rib?  Do you know?

-discouragement.  Doing any run when you're not feeling at least 95% is difficult, can lead to negative thoughts about your fitness and training schedule, and discouragement about running.

Regards,

Phil

Answer 2

i hope you make a lot of money getting paid to run.  that is probably the worst idea i have ever heard in my entire life.

you are either the stupidest person i know (alcohol = dehydration, running = dehydration, therefore alcohol + running = double dehydration, potential loss of function of organs and possible death or sickness), or the most determined (that is dedication, if i didn't get home til 4 in the morning from drinking i would call off work or skip class)

Answer 3

dyhydration can be a big problem

Answer 4

In a nutshell: Drink on the days you don't run and/or AFTER you run. Just make sure you also drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause DEATH. It's really that simple really.

Good luck!

Answer 5

i think the dehydration and the intensity must have done it.  i know in the summer i've had a few drinks early in the day when it's really hot out (even better for dehydration!) then still had to "get in" my run .... so i do the run, but i sacrifice quality and jog .... junk miles really ... but no problems.

so, on one hand it's possible to do it, but it's not really worth it.  it'd be better to wait until you're sober and not dehydrated.

if you only run 30 min you should be able to squeeze it in somewhere (3am is early!)

Answer 6

Your stupid to run after just drinking. First of all as a student you shouldn't be drinking. Also dehydration will probably set in for  you some time. You will pass out and never think of running after a drink again. Make the choice: Running or Alcohol

Answer 7

I had a few glasses of wine one day and then decided to go to the gym afterwards.... I barfed on the bosu ball doing pushups and I got dizzy while running.

Even though it's not dangerous, you don't want to look like a wanker on the treadmill, and you definitely don't want to risk vomiting on any equipment. It was quite embarassing.

Wait a few hours to get the liquor out of your system.

Answer 8

Well  the alcohol dehydrates your body, and the organs are competing with each other for water, so I would say it is dangerous.  It could cause imbalance in electrolytes which are needed when you run, for muscles to operate normally.  If you are severly dehydrated, the loss of electrolytes could lead to heart failure.  So,  I would say, drinking before running is dangerous. Please do not do it again.