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A skinful of beer a week before a marathon...
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I got pished out of my head at the Edgbaston Ashes test and thought I could vault the toilet turnstile at New Street Station. I couldn't, and landed on the tiled floor on my left kneecap.
Simply drinking beer in a sitting position has never affected my ability to run, even on the day of a race.
I also tend to have a bottle of beer (just the one) the night before a race too. And I will keep that way even through marathon week. I've tried the whole not drinking thing for a week before and it makes no difference on the day whatsoever anyway!! Might as well then...
*Memo to self: No air guitar in marathon week.*
I broke my front tooth on my stag night when I fell off a table I was standing on (slipped in the beer) and went head first onto the floor - don't even remember it!!! 2 days before my wedding.....all my photos are of me not smiling fully........and 28 years later I'm having the crown replaced at the mo as it's not stained in line with the rest of my teeth with age and stands out like a lighthouse beacin now!!
Unless your 82 and starting your 1st every binge the liver should flush it all out.
Stag do? I went through a door but was aided by a mattress!
;o)
. But Iwhen I binge drink I do it in a slow "marathon, not a sprint" style and get nicely booze soaked over a day - mixing a bottle of wine with dinner with a few pints on a night out and maybe a few shorts or starting with beer as the thirst quencher and then a bottle or two of wine for enjoyment.. always end up remembering great music I had forgotten to listen to in ages or watch great comedies and feel thoroughly chilled out!...
very personal opinion there V'rap - many of those who do/have would not agree with you........
I used to - I no longer do - as the recovery takes far too long now
"eee - had a great night last night - got absoultely ratarsed, can't remember a frigging thing though, when are we doing it again???"
For the purposes of the question, I like the carb-loading argument best! And I'm sure hops must count towards my 5 a day!
But yes - occasional teetotalism, regular moderation plus occasional debauchery - all part of the healthy three-point drinking plan as far as I'm concerned.
Jog on!
Anyway I am waffling. My answer to your question is that you can get drunk a week before and probably recover in time to do ok at the marathon. Get drunk 3 days before as I did and you are playing with fire. But if you have trained hard to run your first marathon then I would strongly urge you to forego the booze until after. It may just be your inner demon of failure that is trying to sabotage what will be a huge day for you and probably the biggest challenege you have faced.
My advice is put the booze demon in his place, rest and focus for the big day and enjoy it! Good luck!
However, another year I was teetotal for 3 months before the marathon (except for 3 or 4 drinks - sometimes after a hard week I just needed one....) Much faster marathon - but can probably be attributed to not trying to train with a fuzzy head rather then any lingering effect on the day.
Conclusion - at this stage, you may as well enjoy yourself. Just make sure you plan your recovery.
wowser!!!!!!!!!!!
souns nearly as bad as my firsty(except i didnt smoke)
did nyou do another??
Hopefully this won't include any air guitar....
Binge and rehydrate seems the best plan all round. I have at least 2 more marathons to go at in 2007 in the event that I b*gger this one up, so t'will be an interesting experiment.
Now I'm just wondering whether I dare to turn up for a special guest appearance and resist temptation to join in the inevitable boozy fun, or just sit at home watching telly and biting my nails as originally planned. Hmmm...