Alcohol and Training
When it comes to alcohol and sports training, conventional wisdom is simple: take it easy. That doesn't mean you have to give up beer, wine, or your favorite Scotch on the rocks. Keep in mind, however, that alcohol can dehydrate you, so you should be careful about consumption the night before an important training session and especially the night before your big race.
Your goal leading up to the race, especially if it will be warm that day, is to hydrate as well as possible. Drinking alcohol will hinder that process. Alcohol consumption can lower heat tolerance as well.
Before you chug down that beer (or three) the night before your training run, here's something you should know: alcohol is metabolized by the liver. While that process is going on, the liver is not making as much glycogen, which you need for fuel to swim, bike, or run. That can have an effect on your endurance.
Alcohol affects different people different ways and to different degrees. If you have a high tolerance for it, this may not be an issue for you. If you don't know, don't take chances.
