Boozing and fitness

[Brotherton Lad]

Found the old thread:

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...t=beer+fitness

[ba-ba]

The podium teams in the relay at the British University Orienteering Championships are always the ones on the lash the night before.
On Sunday, more of the podium were still covered in body paint from the night before than not!

[stumpy]

Well. As a long time advocate of boozing and running, I say:

Aerobic fitness fades quickly any way and it comes back just as quickly once you start training again. As for the booze, it depends what you drink and how much and how late you stay up.

I'm a personal fan of real ale (which is why I brew about 10 gallons a month). Even when running seriously my normal daily intake was 2 or 3 pints as a part of my diet. I once had a tee-total season in 1981, I think, and I didn't enjoy it or get any fitter. Plenty of studies show beer is ideal for re-hydration and contains electrolytes, calories and a number of vitamins. For me it's an ideal way of recovering from a long run or race. It's also ideal to consume in a social setting.

There's a couple of previous threads about this, as usual.

PS. Beer isn't a diuretic because it's not strong enough, it is about 95% water. You'll find plenty of US sites that say it is, but then they still haven't got over Prohibition.. Wine and spirits are, though. And the hops are a soporific (hence hop pillows), works for me.

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Spot on BL! There was something in the papers a few weeks ago about the re-hydration benefits of proper beer. It's funny how many times in the afternoon after a long hard race I've felt crap - knackered, de-hydrated and sometimes nauseous - but after a bottle (or two) of quality beer I feel 100% better!

[Witton Park]

I've said it on here in a couple of other threads - a pint at the Hill Inn on the 3 peaks is the best way to get over Ingelborough in good nick. The cramps go away and you feel back to life.

[fellrunnerreuben]

one thing alcohol does do is kill your testosterone levels so that would contribute to you feeling sluggish and not having as much buzz. The same effect can be said about having sex before a race too. men more so than women need to use the testosterone for mental drive.

[Brotherton Lad]

Well, that's me stuffed then.

[Steve John B]

one thing alcohol does do is kill your testosterone levels so that would contribute to you feeling sluggish and not having as much buzz. The same effect can be said about having sex before a race too. men more so than women need to use the testosterone for mental drive.

I think you're on shaky ground scientifically with the sex/testosterone connection.

[shaunaneto]

I can testify with current and first hand experience that booze inhibits my running abilities and motivation

[ZootHornRollo]

yep I just went out for 10km round the park, and it hurt

[Mountain Goatess]

I really enjoyed my post race shandy today!