Does Alcohol Affect Your Running?

More people today are realizing the benefits of running as an activity. In times when getting together in large groups is no longer a good idea, and when heading to the gym or a class is no longer possible, running remains. You can find a great online running club should you still want a social side to it with some great support. But if you want to improve your running there are still some things it can be handy to understand. So whether you are new to this or an athlete wondering what impact alcohol has on your running, here is a look at some of the facts.

Eight ways alcohol affects your running

The quick answer is yes alcohol does have a negative impact on your running and here are 8 ways how.

1. You are weakening your immune system – Alcohol makes it harder to fight off infections and illness so that can impact your running when you are sick all the time and do not feel like running. Try adding some supplements to your diet.
2. It has a negative impact on muscle recovery – As alcohol lowers the synthesis of proteins this means muscle recovery and repair is slowed. After physical exercise, your body is not rebuilding or recovering as well as it could.
3. It lowers your motivation to get out there – It can be hard to get yourself up early and head for a run after a night of indulging. It would make sense to time your alcohol consumption for the night before a rest day! Keep your mental strength and keep running.
4. Alcohol dehydrates you – Staying hydrated is important any time but especially when you are running. Anything stronger than 4% ABV though is a diuretic. Make sure you drink lots of water or a sugar-free hydrating drink while you are drinking alcohol.
5. Running injuries take longer to recover – We have mentioned that your muscle repair is affected but it also impacts on your injuries rate of healing too. A running coach can help you with a recovery plan but most would recommend laying off the alcohol.
6. Has an impact on your absorption of minerals and vitamins – Our bodies need these for a whole range of functions and to stay healthy in general, as well as for things like running. When you drink alcohol your body is less able to absorb the optimal amount. Consider loading up with some healthy meals before an evening of drinking.
7. Drinking alcohol can affect your general health goals – Sometimes we eat foods we avoid when we have been drinking. This can impact your general health as well as your running goals. Have a look at some of the tips you can find with a successful online running club about how to be mindful of your diet.
8. Drinking alcohol negatively affects your reaction times and cognitive function – These things are important when you are running so you can react to certain things in time, and especially important if you are taking part in races.

Conclusion

Keep these tips in mind and talk to your running coach about how you can include alcohol but in a more moderated way. If you do not have a coach perhaps consider getting one. Anyone can find one, they are not just for race preparation. They can help you achieve your running and fitness goals.

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