I still don’t know how I did it, but yesterday I managed to get my run in… even with a hangover.
I don’t recommend hangover runs, but sometimes life happens and one drink turns to two, two to three, and before you know it you’re swimming in the Ashley River with your friends at 12am. Oh, is that just us?
Friday night started innocently enough with friends, wine, pasta, and ice cream cake (recipe to be posted at FWW).
Dan has crowned this dessert as being my best vegan dessert to date. Vegan triple chocolate ice cream cake.
Clearly, we had the wine pouring a bit too freely, at least according to the empty bottles. Either way, yesterday morning felt rough.
But even still, I wanted to run (call me crazy) so I did.
And guess what?
It was one of the best runs in a really long time. Once my legs got moving, my body forget about the alcohol left over in my system and just ran.
I had 7 miles on my training plan, but I decided I would be okay with 3-4 miles. I’m not super woman.
But as I would approach a turn around spot, I would assess my body and decide to make up a new spot ahead… this kept going on until I finished my run at just under 6 miles.
During those 6 miles I forgot all about my hangover and felt fabulous. It was the strangest thing, especially since the minute I stopped it came back and lingured with me for the remainder of the day (though definitely not the worst I’ve ever had)…
Movies and couch time was how we spent our Saturday.
Today it’s back to the land of the living and trying to be as productive as possible!
I thought I would share some of my tips with you that I think helped me handle my hungover run…
Tips On Running With A Hangover
- Supergreen shot before bed. I am not sure this really helped or not, but before I went to bed, I had a glass of Athletic Greens to fill my body with vitamins and minerals. There is a rumor that taking supergreens after drinking can help eliminate hangovers. Not sure, but it can’t hurt.
- Water. Drink lots of water before calling it a night. I also sipped on Nuun throughout the day yesterday to help replenish my electrolytes and help hydrate.
- Sleep. There was no way that I was going to wake up with my alarm to go run. Instead, I slept in and let myself wake up naturally. I was just extremely blessed that our temperatures this week have been unusually cool, so running later in the morning wasn’t too bad.
- Breakfast. I wasn’t hungry when I woke up, but I decided my body would appreciate a healthy breakfast after a night of sugar and alcohol. I enjoyed a protein pancake with a dollop of nut butter and half an apple. My body did appreciate it.
- Allow for digestion. I think we all know how alcohol an effect our stomachs the next day. Don’t rush anything, but allow your body to do it’s business before lacing up your shoes. Otherwise, come mile 2 you’ll have the “deer in headlights” look of panic.
- Don’t force it. If you’re saying the classic “I’m never drinking again” and it hurts just to lift your head… forgo the run, rest, hydrate and try again tomorrow.
Again, I don’t know if I just got lucky but I was thankful for those 6 miles. I also think sweating helped me feel better the rest of the day. I wasn’t 100% but I wasn’t dead to the world either.
Have you ever exercised with a hangover?
Have any hangover cures?