Are you thinking about going running after a night of drinking? What do you need to know to plan accordingly? Take a look at our helpful guide below!
If you are anything like me, you like to socialize with your friends on a regular basis. You go out to dinner, have a few drinks, and then someone suggests going to check out a new bar in the area. You have a great time, you don’t want the night to end, so you stick around.
On the other hand, you know you have to go running in the morning. You end up staying out later than you should, drinking more than you planned, and you are worried about waking up with a hangover the next day when you put on your running shoes.
If you run after an evening of drinking, what should you expect when you wake up the next morning for a long run? Take a look at a few of the factors below.
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Alcohol Can Impact Your Running Level
Alcohol and athletics do not mix. No matter what sport you play, alcohol is going to impact your performance. If you are a runner, there are a few ways that alcohol is going to affect your workout. They include:
Alcohol Can Make You Tired
In order to run effectively, your body needs to break down carbohydrates as an energy source. This includes glucose. Your liver is responsible for metabolizing glucose and alcohol.
If you drink the night before, your liver will be too busy breaking down alcohol to break down carbohydrates. If your liver is unable to produce glucose, you may feel sluggish when you run.
Alcohol Can Dehydrate You
It is well-known that alcohol is a diuretic. If you have ever seen lines for the bathroom at a sporting event, you understand the impact that alcohol can have on someone’s bathroom habits.
After a heavy night of drinking, you will probably have to go to the bathroom frequently. As a result, your body will lose the fluids that are required to power your athletic performance. If you are dehydrated when you start your run, you are probably not going to run very well.
Alcohol Can Impair Your Sleep
If you have a busy day of running ahead of you, you need to get a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, alcohol can get in the way of this. Medical studies have shown that alcohol can negatively impact your sleep cycle. This will further reduce your energy levels, impairing your running abilities.
Alcohol Can Lead to A Hangover Headache
If you have experienced a hangover before, you know just how terrible that headache can be. With every stride you take, you may feel like the pressure inside your head is increasing. This is going to be uncomfortable, impacting your workout.
These are just a few of the many ways that alcohol can have an adverse impact on your running abilities. If you are going out with your friends and planning to run the next day, do everything you can to limit your alcohol consumption. Everyone has different thresholds, and you need to know your limits.
Protect Yourself During A Night of Drinking
If you are going out with friends the night before a big run, you should protect yourself accordingly. Regardless of whether you are going to a birthday party, a wedding, or some other special occasion, you should set a cap on the number of drinks you will have. Some of the additional tips you should follow include:
Drink Plenty of Water
You need to be well-hydrated for your run. Alcohol is going to get in the way of this. To counteract this issue, drink plenty of water before, during, and after you go out. A good rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water between every alcoholic beverage.
Have a Big Meal
Eat foods that are rich in proteins and carbohydrates. That way, your muscles have plenty of energy for your big run. Furthermore, if you eat while you are drinking, you may feel full, reducing the number of alcoholic beverages you drink.
Sign Up to Be the Designated Driver
Nobody should ever drink and drive. Therefore, you need to have a designated driver. If you want to limit your alcoholic beverages, sign up to be the designated driver.
That way, everyone will keep an eye on you, limiting the number of alcoholic beverages you drink. Of course, your friends will also thank you because they will not have to pay for an Uber to drive them home.
Follow these tips if you are going out with friends the night before a big run. That way, you protect your athletic performance for the next day.
Final Word on Running After A Night of Drinking
If you are going running after a night of drinking, you need to plan ahead. Alcohol is going to impact your athletic performance. Everyone’s body responds to alcohol differently. Therefore, know your limits and plan accordingly.
Alcohol can dehydrate you, limit your body’s ability to produce glucose, and can contribute to a hangover headache. In order for you to control your drinking, you need to hydrate before, during, and after your night out.
Make sure you have a large meal that is rich in protein and carbohydrates. Do not make drinking the main activity and sign up to be a designated driver. If you do this, you may be able to avoid a hangover the next day.
FAQs About Running After A Night of Drinking
Is training the next morning after a heavy night of drinking dangerous?
You can’t put yourself in danger if you push yourself too hard to exercise after drinking. This could exacerbate your fluid losses, taking your dehydration to dangerous levels. Your liver requires time to process alcohol.
Can it be beneficial to run with a hangover to make you feel better?
There is no such thing as “sweating out the toxins” the next morning. On the other hand, training does release natural endorphins, which can make you feel happy. In this respect, running a hangover may make you feel better.
