Best training after blood donation?

Good question. I tried to go for a run the day after a donation and I fell flat on my face - I was so discombobilated for the 24-40hrs afterwards.

i would say take the day off (i know as much scorn as i will get here). eat healthy and stay hydrated. your blood is reducded by like 1/8th.

I also recently ran the day after. I didn't fall on my face, but I did have to stop because I felt very weak. It felt very similar to running while dehydrated. I wouldn't recommend it.

I've heard of blood doping (getting transfusions) to help with performance, but never teh other way around. 

Seriously, it's silly to phlebotomize your self, then try ot take advantage of that to train harder.  Your body's first response is to replace just the volume (minus teh red blood cells) of blood, so you need to hydrate well.  Your body will figure out that it has fewer red blood cells and set to work to start making more by releasing EPO from your kidneys.  I wouldn't mess with what your body is already doing right.  I'd take it easy that day, and do LSD stuff for 1-2 days afterwards, gradually working back in intensity if that's what you're doing.  On the other hand, if you are a regular donator, like every 8 weeks, you're body will probalby figure that out and donating won't be such a stress. 

i forgot. not only are you out the oxagen, you are ruduced in fuel and waste removal. (man i love them red blood buddies)

Yep my vote would be for a rest day drinking lots of fluid. Gave blood back in University and tried to play broomball soon afterwards - couldn't contribute much to the game I was so fatigued.

I usually take 1 day off and then go for an easy run. I always feel as if I'm running at altitude.

Pretty much every 8 weeks for some years now, unless it lands too close before a tri or something. Assuming, as AdventureBear suggests, that my body has figured this out and adapted somewhat, I'm wondering if that adaptation might be working in my favor most other times. If I take that idea a step further, would more adaptation be better? I thought it might be something someone else had explored. Obviously, the concensus is a resounding no. That's OK, I was just curious.

Best training - giving your throat a workout by drinking lots of fluids to replace the fluid taken out of your body!

I'm glad that I'm not alone in feeling out of it after donating - I seriously was a clutz and it scared me. I try to schedule for when I have already done my workout for the day and it's the day before an official rest day.

Gave blood 3 weeks ago.  Rested for 24 hrs.  Tried to run after 36 hr.  Not only I could not run as fast as I used to, I got light headed, forcing me to cut short my run.  A hardcore cyclist (who rides all year long, in New England) told me it takes him 3 weeks to be back at peak strength, therefore he doesn't give blood during race season or something. 

When I gave blood, I was specifically told that I could not exercise for the rest of the day. It's a lot of stress on your body to give blood and it does a lot of work to replace the blood you've gotten rid of. If I remember correctly, plasma will be replaced within 48 hours if you are hydrated correctly. I would give your body a break and not train that day and take it easy for a few days.

I work in a hospital blood bank so even though I always felt like crap afterwards, I always gave blood because I know it is needed.

A couple of years ago I started donating platelets instead. They are very much needed and better yet they filter out your platelets and return most of your red cells and plasma. I feel fine now after donating. They tell you not to exercize for the rest of the day-standard protocol because the don't want you to start bleeding from the phlebotomy site. I alway feel normal the next day.
The downside is that it takes much longer to do than a regular donation. I am hooked up for 85-90 minutes. I look at it as a little break and bring a good book or watch a movie on their sattelite TV.
I get the good feeling of helping save lives, without the 2 weeks of exhaustion.
Patty

Me too, passed out on a treadmill once - pretty embarissing - luckily that magnet thing was attached to me so the treadmill shut off. Be careful!!