Comments on: Should a runner (or joggler) donate blood

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Hi, some great info. I personally feel the energy loss when I donate red blood cells. Instead I give platelets so there is no red blood cell loss. It takes quite a bit longer but you can donate more often and there is always a great need for cancer/burn patients.

By: dentonmd

dentonmd — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:43:35 +0000

Hey Perry,

Thanks for writing this. I gave a Pint of blood yesterday and I’m running in a short race this afternoon. Your post has added some new items to my diet today so that I can replenish some of my loss.

In addition to the items you listed above (liquids, protein, iron) I was told by the gentleman who took my blood to take in a fair amount of electrolytes.

By: The Running Norwegian

The Running Norwegian — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:28:45 +0000

Great blog, and congratulations with your running streak! I stumbled over this post when I did some research on google about blood donation and running. Very informative

Here are my experiences: I am 25 year old man who just started running (6 weeks ago). I have donated blood the last 12 months, a total of 4 times so far, and It has not been a problem for me. I donated one unit (450 ml) yesterday and took it easy after that. But today I ran an 8 km tempo run and I felt very good. I ran the 8 km in 36:06, which is a better performance than my 5 km personal record of 22:o7 (according to Mcmillan running calculator).

As some of you pointed out, I think the individual reaction to blood donation differs from person to person. I’d like to add that my hemoglobin was 17,4 g/dl the last time I donated, which is in the upper range of the normal area. Maybe that makes me more tolerant? Anyway, I won’t take any chances and donate blood right before my race debut in september…

By: Perry

Perry — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:52:05 +0000

Thanks for the kind words Anthony. Good luck on your upcoming workouts. I’ve found that doctors are often smart about specific diseases & treatments but they don’t always know much about running and general health. They are just happy to have people do any exercise at all.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:26:33 +0000

You helped me more than my doctor, I accidentally ended up donating 1.4pint of blood a week after my blood tests X_X.. On the average I would jog about 5-6miles feeling light… and maintaining a HR of 50rested. But now I have a rested of 69 and can barely run 2miles… the doctor said it was all in my head, W/e this wont stop me I’m coming back Stronger!

Thank you so Much!,
Anthony Q.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:21:40 +0000

Very cool design! Useful information. Go on!n

By: Perry

Perry — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:54:43 +0000

Pola,

Thanks for the story. I hope your running is better now.

By: Pola

Pola — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:21:11 +0000

In 2002, at age 62, I was diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV), a disease that causes my system to produce too many red blood cells (my hematocrit, or volume percentage of red cells in whole blood, was 56; normal for women is about 42). At the time of diagnosis, I was jogging 5-6 kilometers (about 4 miles) several times a week, down from 10-12 km a couple of years previously.
The treatment for uncomplicated PV is drawing lots of blood within a short time, far more than the equivalent of donating blood. Once my hematocrit fell to normal, I was hardly able to jog at all, getting exhausted after only 1 km, despite feeling better generally! I guess I had been doped for several years with all those excess red blood cells

By: Wes

Wes — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:20:34 +0000

Wow! I did not know that about donating blood.

By: Perry

Perry — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:26:37 +0000

Thanks for the tip Brian. I feel fine today but I will take it easy on the treadmill tonight. Maybe just 6 miles or so at a 7:30 pace. I’ll watch for the tunnel vision.

And thanks for the blood information. Saving a life seems good.