Blood donation before a big ride?

[Rumblefish]

So this might be one of the dumbest questions to grace the forum, but I'd like some additional thoughts.

I'm a regular blood donor and I scheduled an appointment to donate this Friday even though I'll be particpating in my first metric century this Sunday (I'm pretty excited and nervous! ). The woman I spoke with assured me that I should be fine provided I drink plenty of fluids before the donation and afterwards, and that it's only recommended not to lift heavy things...

What do you all think, should I reschedule for after the ride on Sunday? I'm starting to have some second thoughts and would appreciate any opinions out there.

Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

I wouldn't donate blood a day and a half before my first century.

but that's just me....

[Pedal Wench]

The woman I spoke with assured me that I should be fine provided I drink plenty of fluids before the donation and afterwards, and that it's only recommended not to lift heavy things...

I've found that most health-care professionals who do not cycle have no concept of what's involved in a 62-mile bike ride. 'Sure, you can exercise after donating," but they don't realize what type and the length of exercise you plan.

[Aquila]

First, yay for you, and congrats on heading into your first metric! And equally, yay for being a blood donor!

If you're a regular donor, then you probably have a pretty good idea how your body handles donating.

In the past, how have you felt the next day? Have you ridden? Do you tend to have good energy? (I think the lifting heavy things restriction is mostly about reducing the likelihood of re-opening the vein under the skin and making a bigger bruise/sore area. But I'm not sure.)

The other side is how you feel biking and how far you've been going and so forth. If you've been biking 50 miles with ease, then the metric probably isn't going to be that hard for you. If you've been riding lots less, then the metric is probably going to be harder for you.

Like you, I donate regularly, and I've learned over the years that I don't have any problems with exercise the next day, so long as it's exercise I'm pretty used to. Add another day, and I'd be good for whatever. But that's me.

So I'd do the donation and the metric, using both as an "excuse" to drink lots of water and eat good food. For me, my first metric was more psychologically than physically hard; I just couldn't quite believe I could bike that far, and then I did. But I'm like that with new goals sometimes. The next long ride (75) was way easier for me than the metric because I didn't have the same big goal thing in mind. (I'm a beginner, and still working up to a regular century; my first metric was earlier this summer.)

As you mention, though, you can always reschedule your donation for the week after your metric. The blood bank folks will still be happy to see you.

Good luck with your metric!

PS. This is a great question! I'm interested in the different responses.

[Tuckervill]

I'd reschedule the donation. Why take the chance on ruining what you've worked for? If you reschedule, it's a sure thing that one won't affect the other.

Karen

[Adventure Girl]

I rode with one of my regular ride buddies on Sunday. He had donated blood on Friday. He is usually quite a bit stronger than I am, but I could tell he was lagging. It could have been a physical result, or it could have been psychological. But his performance was definitely not what it normally is.

You say you are a regular blood donor. How do you usually feel after donating? You know your body best. But unless there is a specific reason you need to or want to donate on that day, I'd recommend that you reschedule until after your metric.

[Rumblefish]

Thanks, Ladies!

Part of the reason I am hesitant is because my last donation in February was actually before I began riding more heavily. I tried to donate at the end of March but my iron was too low and they made me wait three months to build it back up before I could donate again. So unfortunately, I don't know how well my body will handle the donation and then the ride two days later. Generally, when I've donated I've felt fine afterwards....but I wasn't riding much then....

I'll reschedule I think and they'll just have to wait a few more days before they can stick me and drain my blood!

[jobob]

It's good that you're rescheduling.

According to Wikipedia,

Blood doping is the practice of illicitly boosting the number of red blood cells in the circulation in order to enhance athletic performance. Because they carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, more RBCs in the blood can improve an athlete’s aerobic capacity and stamina.

What you'd be doing in effect is reverse blood doping, decreasing the number of RBCs in your bloodstream. Which would not be good idea just before a big ride.

[Rumblefish]

Reverse blood doping....so it'd be like giving myself a handicap if it were a race, right??

Turns out the Red Cross is going to get more blood because of my rescheduling...my brother is going to come with me next week and donate as well (I've been trying to get people to come with me and donate as well...and not too many people take me up on it ). So they should be even happier now! They'll get two pints instead of one now!!

[Ladyrunner]

I'm glad you asked this question. I've been toying with trying to donate blood again. I have donated in the past, but I haven't in a very long time. I usually get physically sick after donating. It lasts weeks. I think it kills my immune system or something. It just zaps me, so I stopped donating.

That said, I'm much healthier now and I want to give it another try. BUT, I'm currently training for a half-marathon and I can't afford to get sick and be down for a few weeks.

[RoadRaven]

Cheers Ty...

Rave

[enzed]

Hi everybody.

Just 1 hour ago, I did my every 10 weeks blood donation.
The rule is everybody needs to get weighed before donating - and as usual I'm in the 72-74Kg range.
My blood preasure was fine, but my iron count isn't that high - me thinks it has something to do with my "monthlies" due soon.
It took around 9mins to fill the "blood bag", not my fastest time. Oh well, next time I'll be faster.

Each time I keep doing it, the easier it seems to get. I can watch the bag fill up with blood & not get quesey.

Would I do long ride tomorrow? - Probably not. But i should be okay for Friday.

Happy riding

[Aquila]

Way to go, Enzed!

[enzed]

Thanks for that - it's nothing special really. My left arm just happens to be a "good bleeder" when it comes to giving blood.

This time around I was that close to failing the iron count test. I was tested 3 times (106/116/124). If the iron count is below 120, you get banned from donating for 3 months.
And to top it all off, my left arm is still a bit sore - that would have something to do with the fact that it took 2 tries to hit the blood vessel with the needle.

I've even managed to get a freind to start doing it. I went with them their first time & they ended up getting light-headed & nearly fainted.

Happy blood donating

[bmccasland]

And to help your (our) iron count, don't forget to eat raisins and/or green leafy vegetables. There are other food sources, but those two are my favorites, ones I'll actually eat.

I'll be donating tomorrow.