Alcohol and training

Gaudir8

How many folks consume alcohol while training in and out of season? What quantities and type of alcohol if you do?

I'll go first and say it has been one year since anything but mass quantities of beer and wine before that

Brenda Ross

My hubby does. Its beer and usually a couple a couple times a week. If he is serious about race he will abstain for 4-6 months before the race. Core diet allows it. If my memory serves me correctly they say 2 a night in the OS, and then 2 a week 2 days a week in training and then 6 weeks before the race zero.

John Withrow

I recently (read 2 weeks ago) decided to cut out alcohol for a couple of months, simply as a way to get my body comp a little better under control.

BUT, before that, almost every single night Jess and I would have a half tumbler of Scotch before bed. Johnny Walker Platinum is our favorite. Before that (several months ago) we would split a bottle of wine probably 4 nights a week. I enjoy the occasional beer as well (preferably good beer, but any will do). My favorite is probably Sam Adams Octoberfest, but if I'm at a bar, Guinness is my drink of choice when available on tap.

This is one of the reasons I'm only 95% compliant with my gluten free eating, because of beer...

zwuba

During NOS in 2013 I used to have a few beers on Sunday evening (as Monday is day off so I don't affect any workout session).
Since 2014 I've not had any alcohol at all just to give it a try ... works pretty good so far

During my final 4-8 weeks to IMAT last year I usually had 2 or 3 beers once a week and absolutely no alcohol during final 2-3 weeks!

I normally don't drink anything other alcoholic drink than beer.

@Ray - this may be something nice to read for you - a test I did by myself last year -> http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/11179/Default.aspx

Brad Marcus

Funny you started this thread, Ray. I woke up Sunday morning and while doing my run, decided right there and then that I was giving up alcohol in all forms (scotch, beer, wine - my faves) at least until after my A race - IMLP. Last season I'd stop drinking all alcohol a few weeks leading up to my races and did not drink anything during training unless it was the night before an off-day. Not only was my performance better, but I got down to a very lean 160lb racing weight, which was incredible on my once 210 LB frame.

For me, the residual effects are just too great, and I really think my OS has suffered nit just in quality of training days, but also recoveries. Also, I have found that I sleep horribly the nights I have any alcohol in my system...which hampers recovery. That beer will taste even better after completing my first ironman!

[Deleted User]

@Brad I look forward to having a beer with you at the Lake Placid Brewery on Monday July 28.

I only drink beer and wine these days and plan on cutting all for the month before IMLP.

 

kimmydct

I don't really drink much anyway, except holidays or social gatherings so not much of an issue. For me, it is more about calories than anything else. I prefer to eat vs. drink!

Gaudir8

I thought I would be funny and include this topic under
Nutrition and a little spoof on myself! Maybe too much to share but I want it to
be helpful.

When I crashed at Kona in 2010 and was told my triathlon
days were over  by several doctors, wine and beer became my go to work out partners. We did a lot of
training together and each year after I got very good at it. I could have
podiumed by 2012 if there were alcohol consumption competitions.

The crazy thing was I was doing brutal bike workouts because I couldn't run or swim anymore and I
couldn't understand why I was performing so badly! Was it the booze
or what? I would think during my rides: well how many beers did I
have last night? Gee, I only had two bottles of wine how can I be riding
so bad? Doh! It got to be where the drinking had invaded even my workouts!

Then at the holiday season last year (2012) I said I am
done. I had an enormous collection of wine that I had accumulated over the
years, (almost 10,000 bottles) and I sold every bottle I owned. On 1/1/13 I
said I want to be the best I can be in tri and all the drinking isn't helping.
I started rehabbing my shoulder diligently and I feel and hope I
CAN do IM again in 2014 and started to train sans liquor. WOW what a difference.
Great to wake up in the morning not hung over!

This is the long winded intro to my question but I wanted you
all to know that I am/was one of the best in this "sport". I bet
this is something I COULD have beaten the Mad Austrian at. BTW knowing the exact date I quit is indicative of how bad I was. Not the it was a problem. Yeah Right!

Gaudir8

For all the IMLP folks I will buy the first round after the race. I'm drinking water PLAIN though. Please take me up on this.!!!!

Gaudir8

@Brad You are smack dab dead on!

Edwin Croucher

I have limited my intake since January of 2013. Most days durng that period it was zero. I don't think there are any days where I had 3 beers. Right now I am in a zero intake mode.

Steve West

After a 2 and a half year long binge, I had to stop drinking completely. I do miss the celebratory beer or two but not enough to ever go back that dark place ever again.

Been clean and sober since 1/2/1992. Serotonin and dopamine are my drugs of choice now.

Gaudir8

@Steve My brother! I think all our personalities are substitute one obsession for another.

Steve West

@Ray - I'll drink to that! Water, that is.....

chris malone

Cautionary tale coming:

To train for Roth in 2010 I gave up alcohol, which for me = beer.
I arrived in Roth (IT IS IN GERMANY, PEOPLE...foreshadowing) a week prior to the race.
As I had made a commitment to no beer until after the race, I found myself having lemonade at the beer gardens, which you must visit or the Roth Challenge people will not give you your finishers medal. The Germans are serious.
DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE.
(The 5th key to Ironman execution in Germany.)

tim cronk

ZERO....... I learned the hard way in my early 20's that I am an addict.... Been drug and alcohol free for almost 30 yrs (except caffeine and pain drugs when needed)..... Tend to channel my addictions, obsessions, into activities that tend to change every 7-10yrs , like work , snowboarding, skydiving, basejumping, rockclimbing , and now triathlon..... The good news is the trend points to another good 3-6 years of triathlon , the bad news is it points to further stupidity like Ultraman's or Ultra-racing before ..... Heading into one of my last lifetime addictions of GOLF which I am saving for when I get old.

Scott Alexander

Beer is my friend. It's one of my major interests as well as music/concerts, travel, cars, and all things tri and cycling...and a few other things too. I read about it, I learn about it, I consume it.

Given that, the last month leading up to an A race, I will discontinue it wholly until my post-race celebratory libations!

Look at my profile pic, it's me drinking a Guinness at the finish line of IMCDA 2008. I still try to drink a Guinness at the finish line of my races, it's a tradition.

Joseph Lombardi

I continue to drink wine in moderation throught the year...beer in the summer...especially post long runs or intervals....I enjoy a margarita & pina colada during their season....

I see no problem with moderate consumption of alcohol throughout training...though...gone are the days when I could overconsume and train well...during my fastest years (college) I consumed alot of beer without deliterious effect on my training and racing (2:40 marathoner/17 5k)....and I really do try to keep it moderate....I agree that I do not like if it negatively impacts a workout (or really anything)

I confess to having one guineess the night prior to my last half marathon....to relax, carb, fluids, and ran a 2min. PR (post age 40 pr...not all time pr)...and marathon...( a leisurely 3:29 BQ).......Just sayin....(though maybe it is what is holding me back from AG greatness... lol)...

Ralph Moore

I just find that I cut back.
Instead of one or two beers a night a couple of times a week, it is now an occasional beer once or twice a month.

More a result of mindfulness about general nutritional value and maintaining my race weight rather than any real adverse effects.
I will probably have several after an A race though!

zwuba

Posted By Ray Brown on 14 Jan 2014 08:15 AM

I thought I would be funny and include this topic under
Nutrition and a little spoof on myself! Maybe too much to share but I want it to
be helpful.

When I crashed at Kona in 2010 and was told my triathlon
days were over  by several doctors, wine and beer became my go to work out partners. We did a lot of
training together and each year after I got very good at it. I could have
podiumed by 2012 if there were alcohol consumption competitions.

The crazy thing was I was doing brutal bike workouts because I couldn't run or swim anymore and I
couldn't understand why I was performing so badly! Was it the booze
or what? I would think during my rides: well how many beers did I
have last night? Gee, I only had two bottles of wine how can I be riding
so bad? Doh! It got to be where the drinking had invaded even my workouts!

Then at the holiday season last year (2012) I said I am
done. I had an enormous collection of wine that I had accumulated over the
years, (almost 10,000 bottles) and I sold every bottle I owned. On 1/1/13 I
said I want to be the best I can be in tri and all the drinking isn't helping.
I started rehabbing my shoulder diligently and I feel and hope I
CAN do IM again in 2014 and started to train sans liquor. WOW what a difference.
Great to wake up in the morning not hung over!

This is the long winded intro to my question but I wanted you
all to know that I am/was one of the best in this "sport". I bet
this is something I COULD have beaten the Mad Austrian at. BTW knowing the exact date I quit is indicative of how bad I was. Not the it was a problem. Yeah Right!

Well told story - making all your impressive workouts even more impressive 

Now let's get down to my dungeon and kick that fat little gorilla in the nutz baaaaadly

 

Brad Marcus

My intent wasn't to judge anyone here who does partake in an occasional beer or 2 ( or whatever your drink of choice may be). As a couple of others above have mentioned, I have a "all or none" personality. This is usually good for training, but not so good for alcohol consumption.

Gaudir8

@Brad Me you Steve W and likely a whole lot more.

Anu Rao

I have a glass of wine two or three times a week. Always have a glass of wine the night before a race. Its almost a superstition now. But not a heavy drinker, the one glass of wine or pint of beer last me for most of the evening. But I do like that one drink, it helps me relax and get ready for the race.

moetai@gmail.com

Alcohol wasn't a problem in my early 20s (won a bike race after partying all night and being dead drunk at start line, my dad was so pissed he ordered me to "cover the breaks" from the get go" for my younger brother. Went on the 1st break, puked after 2k, and dropped every riders but one teammate who was having some hard time staying on my wheel.) After that, it became a ritual to have from 4 to 6 beers the night before all A races (including my 1st 2 IM). Met my wife (who doesn't drink at all) and found out that my body is having some hard time dealing with alcohol now that i'm older, so i just quit. I hardly drink 2 are 3 Mojitos a year now.

baprince15

1) congratulations to all of you who have recognized that you gave a problem and are successfully controlling your consumption.
2) I tend to have a scotch or couple glasses of wine each night. I find that as the training ramps up my interest in having a drink drops of precipitously. Once we get to full IM training I'll be down to a couple drinks a week, max.

I know the nightly drinking isn't great for me but I enjoy it. I'm sure it isn't making me faster, but it is something that I enjoy and I find a little scotch when I get home is a great way to unwind from a day.

wareagledusty

I love good beer. Big IPA's, double IPA's, anything big and hoppy. Heck, beer period. So I enjoy a beer or two a couple times a week. In 2012 before IMAZ i went off alcohol completely for 6 weeks and that led to my Ironman PR of 12:24 and leanest racing weight to date (228 pounds, I'm a big dood)

I didn't do that this past year before Lake Tahoe and couldn't get the weight down as low as 2012. I'm racing CDA this year and will be following the alcohol free protocol to get lean. Until after the race, then it's on. That said, I might actually stop sooner. I have an addictive personality, and only two speeds. On and off. Works great for training, not so much for drinking.

I have a guys trip to Vegas this weekend and then a 10-day work trip to Australia in late February. After that, I'm on the wagon.

Oh snap, did I just make a public announcement... Crap. I retract that. I will be on the wagon except for the Raleigh 70.3 race. The host hotel is only a few blocks from one of my favorite pubs, "The Flying Saucer." I'll definitely have a few that night.

I have a sign on the door to my pain cave that reads. "Dusty's Pain Cave - Where the beer is earned."

Peter Greagg

Like most posters here I have an all or nothing type of personality (you know, go hard or go home).
So, before I discovered tris about 8 years ago, I often found myself thinking after, say, half a bottle of good red wine (or a 6 pack of beer), I feel this good now, how good will I feel if I double up?
Obviously there are some potential serious problems for me if I really let myself go.
With this background I realised that I had to either do as some here have (bravely in my view) given up, or get a serious grip on myself.

So what works for me is to be completely alcohol free from New Year until after the season in early May. Then if I have a drink, for some reason it is quite easy for me to moderate my consumption — unlike the situation if I don't have those months free.

In terms of training and racing and the impact of alcohol, there are two main detriments. First, alcohol slows down and generally impedes the body's recovery from exercise. The second is that it significantly lowers the body's ability to store glycogen which is our on-board fuel because of the liver's role in storing glycogen and processing alcohol. Both of these are good reasons to moderate alcohol consumption during heavy training and racing. As I mentioned, I have great difficulty in moderating my consumption so it is easier for me to abstain.

And thanks for starting the thread.

Gaudir8

@Peter we could have made an awesome team!!!

Peter Greagg

Indeed!

Given I first went to University in the early 1970s, I am so glad I never tried hard drugs. I just know I would have loved them!

robin sarner

Are we answering the intended question?         Alcohol ok or useful for training?

Not sure.       1-2 beers or red wine glasses per day may be useful and healthy.        Anyone have studies to cite?

We have a dry household.      So I like a non-alcoholic beer sometimes.        Before Iron Regensburg, had the non-alcoholic version of the race dinner beer.    pretty good. 

Terra Meierdierck

I hope to meet all EN team members at Lake Placid brew pub on Monday, the 28th, for an Ubu.

I start a 4 week detox the Monday after New Years every year. I'm in the second week and feel great - no alcohol of course. From October till the end of the holiday season I had the "I do what I want attitude". I will cut myself off again a month before IMLP, but I will drink a little an evening before an off day. I really can't drink any night before training - it just effects my performance.

I usually drink vodka seltzer during the training season. I love beer - but it has a ton of calories. I love IPA, stout, porter, and a Hoegaarden on a hot summer day.