When to donate Blood while training

I'm so glad someone asked this! I've always wanted to know, as I try to donate regularly--have not wanted to jeopardize my training.

Also, if any healthcare types are out there, what if you just do aepherisis (spelling?) instead of whole blood donation?

Dana

this question was posed in Triathlete magazine Q & A column. From what I remember, donating blood can severly damage your training and racing for months. I was very disapointed in reading this as I believe in donating blood regularly.

I've had the same question and found some great info at this site. check it out.

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2001/06_01/news.htm

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Thanks, Kevin. I appreciate the info.

Dana

Thanks, that was the best info I read so far. My next whole blood date is not until 1 week before the planned Sprint so I would wait on this. Since the heat will be turning on soon here in FL, I'll need all the plasma volume I can get to deal with it!

As for aphersis donations for platelets, I used to do this quite regularly a decade ago. I think I was in the +30 club at the time. I think I'll go with aphersis platlet donations from here on out. BTW, I found the following on the Red Cross website: "Your body replaces your platelets in about 24 hours. You can donate platelets as frequently as every three days, but only 24 times a year."

Thanks All,
Don
Melbourne FL

Thanks for the article.  I've been wondering (and avoiding the needle).  Glad to know I don't really need to be concerned, just need to plan a little.

Thanks for the link to the article, now I know why I felt lousy doing 3 miles on the treadmill the day after I gave blood last week. Always suspected something like this was happening.