|
January Jollies
Purely in the name of science, and at great personal cost, I have been studying the effects of alcohol intake on running performance - a matter of no little significance to many runners here it seems. This has required a fair amount of consumption on my part in recent times, as well as a little running, and has yielded some fascinating results. My observations here are listed in order of greatest significance:
#1. 2004 was clearly a bloody excellent year in Tasmania for riesling.
#2. Bitter beer with a high hop content ages magnificently.
#3. The impact on running performance seems to be more a matter of dehydration than alcohol impairment.
#4. Drinking at night with little re-hydration will result in dramatic impairment the next morning. However, drinking at lunchtime with adequate re-hydration in the afternoon does not necessarily preclude a satisfactory evening run.
#5. The loss of electrolytes through consumption of alcohol (and subsequent discharge) means that rehydration with isotonic drinks will enable you to run again sooner... and of course, imbibe again sooner as well. Spirit drinkers may not be as heavily affected, especially if using sugared mixers. A warning here - using Gatorade (or sim) as a mixer is definitely injurious to your health.
#6. The typical types of food consumed with alcohol in all probability impact your running just as, or more significantly than the alcohol does. However, my doctor is forever telling me "if you must drink so much, at least eat some food with it" so I must advise the same.
#7. Carbo-loading with beer doesn't work. And drinking those funny Italian beers with a plate of pasta doesn't work either, outside of a Mediterranean climate at least (more work needed on this, admittedly, but this requires a travel budget denied me by MLCWife).
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so you must test these results for yourself before adjusting your training schedules. (If 2004 Tasmanian Riesling is difficult to procure, a dry German wine of known pedigree and excellent vintage is an acceptable substitute).
Interestingly, my last two runs have both been excellent. Much stronger and faster than earlier runs. Of course, this may be due more to my improving fitness than my alcohol intake, but it is gratifying to note that consumption of wine, beer and spirits is not necessarily an impairment.
I expect my results to published in leading medical and scientific journals shortly. All nominations for major awards, knighthoods, government grants etc gratefully accepted.
Dr. MLCMan has spoken.
|
January Jollies
