Enjoy the post-race celebration
. . . but skip the bubbly
Posted December 18th, 2006 at 10:00 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness
A few years ago (while I was living in Florence, Italy) I trained a good friend of mine to run the Rome Marathon.
I paced him throughout the cobble-stone laden course and he crossed the finish line in just over 4 hours; an excellent time for a first-time marathoner.
After the race, as I gleamed with pride over his accomplishment, we went to a restaurant near the Coliseum to stuff our faces and I did what any good friend would do to celebrate such a milestone . . . I ordered a bottle of champagne.
No, alcohol and post-race recovery are not a match made in heaven (especially when so many runners’ stomachs are already in knots), but we were caught up in the aftermath of his glory. We were also in Italy, where alcohol is an important and respected dimension of the culture.
So as they say . . . “When in Rome”!
However, in retrospect, this wasn’t the brightest of ideas as it only accelerated the inevitable post-marathon slumber.
In the years since, I’ve been told by countless colleagues and fellow-marathoners how they loving nothing more than a cold beer after they break the tape. Some marathons, apparently in-tune with this tradition, will even serve beer at their post-race parties.
Although we’ve all fallen into the trap of believing that alcohol is a necessary component of a proper celebration - runners, and athletes in general, really need to avoid it after intense exercise.
Why? Because alcohol interferes with your bodies glycogen synthesis, can exasperate dehydration and can significantly hinder your bodies ability to recover after such a grueling exertion of energy.
So do yourself a favor and pass on the post-race beer, champagne and other alcoholic beverages. Enjoy all of the post-race food and and other celebratory activities that your want (you’ve certainly earned it) but hold off on the bubbly and the brew until after your body has had the chance to recuperate.
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Tags: celebration, first marathon, glycogen synthesis, marathon, op ed, post marathon slumber, post race, recover, recovery
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