Does Drinking Improve Performance?!

I changed my running schedule all around to avoid rain and the treadmill. Today is a planned rest day because they were calling for precipitation in the morning AND there hasn't been any. It is taking everything inside of me not to run. I know I need to rest. I ran 23 miles a week ago and I only took a day off. A DAY! Though, I am a running addict and when I don't do it, it's like withdraw from drugs (not that I would know what that's like).

I don't know how to avoid feeling like a slug on a rest day.

My boyfriend loves to take pictures of me when I'm passed out

Although your body needs days off from intense exercise, I still feel like a couch potato...especially after a night of binging on Skittles and Starburst Jelly Beans. I guess I'll make up for it tomorrow. But if it ends up raining tomorrow morning when it's NOT supposed to, I'm going to be ticked! I really want to get another trail run in before Monday gets here.

I'm also going to have to work off my Irish drinking binge that's going down tonight.

The Irish Trashcan!

I find that I run better after a night of drinking. There are actually studies that say a few drinks the night before enhance a woman's running performance.

...Runners were given beer to drink until the alcohol level in their system measured 70 milligram alcohol per 100 milligram blood (for most individuals that came down to drinking four beers). The next morning the subjects were asked to participate in the ‘The exhaustion run’ and run at 80 percent of their ability for as long as possible. Quickly, scientists found that the five women had a much better ‘running time’ after drinking beer the night before.

You can read the full article HERE. Runner's World also discusses the same study HERE. So ladies, when you have that Green Beer this weekend, remember, you're more likely to improve your morning run. :o)


What do you do on your rest days? Do they make you feel like a tub of lard?

Have you ever done a "hangover" run or run after a night of drinking? Was it harder, easier, etc?