I gave your method a fair try, and admit I felt quite well after, but I confess I did not have the prerequisite hangover in place. Perhaps it works as well as a preemptive strike.
I agree with thenewgreen that the run works to boost almost any state. Of course, as it dehydrates, it might make the post-run party better (faster alcohol absorption) and the recovery worse (same reason). But that's just one more cause to hydrate aggressively. Or simply cleverly, using tricks of science such as "electrolytes." Before distance running, I had no personal sensory experience to verify their magic, but now, I am quite the passionate advocate. My favorites are the naturally occurring ones, such as watermelon juice and coconut water, although I understand their ratios of sodium to other minerals may not be perfectly ideal. I take it you had something of a hangover, just not much? Now that I'm re-reading, I'm figuring out you meant to preempt the hangover's blooming into something much worse, not as a pre-festivity measure. And yes, provided adequate hydration/nutrition go along with it, I think the run is an excellent way to nip an accelerating hangover in the bud. Looks like a fun route. I think I see some park space on the west end of it, though I don't know how much of your course actually boasted tree-shade. I'm really reliant on that in this weather, which can pose a challenge. Cities (the American ones I've been to, that is) are just not arranged for the health and comfort of long distance pedestrians/runners. I wonder which city is the runner's paradise? Perhaps it's just the place closest to the longest system of trails. Any nominees?
Good question. You lived in DC and in Chicago, how were they? I recently went on a great run in DC at a place called "Rock Creek". In DC you also see people running at the Mall amongst all of the monuments. I'm not sure that I would enjoy that so much, but perhaps. I also think that DC has a good climate for running. It's important to have cold weather, but not too cold. Michigan gets too cold, I would say that Chicago does too, plus it's so windy. I like Raleigh Durham. Though they are not huge cities, they have plenty of trails and they tend to be very wooded and shady. It's extremely hot this time of year, but the rest of the year more than makes up for it.I wonder which city is the runner's paradise? Perhaps it's just the place closest to the longest system of trails. Any nominees?
I have little doubt that a 4 mile run is good medicine for whatever ails you, at any time, preemptive or not. By the way, your pace is a very respectable one, it is almost exactly the pace I tend to run at. Nice work wasoxygen! See ya on the trails!