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Female runners -advice needed!
Len 2 Im a girl
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I feel absolutely rubbish on my runs during the TOTM, completely devoid of energy and bounce, and as soon as it's over, I'm back to my normal self and feel great again. But it's along 7 or 8 days and usually that's 4 runs I am feeling awful for.
Any ideas? Any supplements which might help, or diet strategies, anything?? It looks like a race I'm signed up for is going to clash with my hormones, and i don't want to feel rubbish!
(I don't use any chemical contraceptives, they don't agree with me at all, even low dose pills give me migraines!).
help!
x
Any ideas? Any supplements which might help, or diet strategies, anything?? It looks like a race I'm signed up for is going to clash with my hormones, and i don't want to feel rubbish!
(I don't use any chemical contraceptives, they don't agree with me at all, even low dose pills give me migraines!).
help!
x
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Comments
<scuttles off to the pub>
Iron supplements? I also battle (even when am on the pill - terribly) but decided that I like being able to "control" what my body does. I would hate to have to contend with that and do a marathon at the same time, so I like juggling factors.
But, I still get really run down and lethargic and tired. Generally, it's because of iron. I take a liquid iron supplement which boosts my energy and makes me able to cope.
Mostly.
Hi YorksLass,
I'm about to submit my PhD on biological rhythms and mood, and one of the things I looked at was self-rated energy across the menstrual cycle. I did indeed find that women who were not on the pill felt less energetic around menstruation - one factor that may be involved here is blood glucose, so make sure that you're eating enough carbohydrates at that time. This will be even more important if you lead an active lifestyle. (We did actually do a study involving chocolate
)
Taking time out to relax may also help. We found that taking the time for a daily bath as opposed to a shower made a difference in terms of mood and feelings of energy.
I didn't look at iron myself, but whilst it's important to make sure you get enough in your diet at all times, it's unlikely that your periods will cause your levels of iron to drop significantly - unless you suffer from exceptionally heavy periods, or are susceptible to low levels in the first place.
Hope that helps!
MadameO - I am the exception to everything you just said. Literally. I am on the pill, I suffer very badly before and during - I am badly anaemic no matter what way you look at it.
But figure since I can make sure that I never suffer on race day, I will put up with it.
Unless it kills me
It really does feel like a huge effort to put one foot in front of the other during that week though, nothing like I usually feel.
MadameO - that's really interesting, thank you! I laughed when chocolate was suggested, but a scientific reason to eat more is great! I do usually succomb to the desire to eat more in that week, I wonder if I should try and time my carbs better for pre-plodding? I am also trying to lose some weight, so I'm careful what I eat at the moment. I'd love to read your PhD - it sounds fascinating! (much more so than the dull sciencey things I usually have to read anyway!).
Magnesium and evening primrose are interesting suggestions - what are the reasons for those? I have no idea what they do!!
Soya things work, anything with it in, I think they make bread enhanced with it now. Also try making a nice fruit smoothie but bunging a load of spinach in. Lots of iron, lots of carbs, hardly any fat. Choose the fruit you like, I use frozen berries and pears then add the spinach bit by bit. You should get 1/2 a bag in without being able to taste it.
Vitamin B12 is also supposed to be good for women as many of us are apparently deficient. Starflower oil is reported to help too.
Soya has estrogen in it, which is why it helps with TOTM. I struggle at that time too, but mostly because day one is so painful.
If you have an unsympathetic OH, I would suggest putting it to him that ,once a month, you will slug him in the balls and see how he likes running!
Hehehe... everyone says that, but I've spent so long on it that I'm just looking forward to seeing the back of it! It'll be available online once I submit the final, final version though (hopefully in a few months), so will let you know when that is!
The key thing seems to be the carb content (we compared proper chocolate with that awful low-carb stuff)- it's better to go for healthier, lower-fat sources of course, but that's not to say that the occasional bar of chocolate won't do the job as well
PO - Are you anaemic in general? If so then it would explain why the problem is exacerbated during your period. Sounds like a nightmare either way
Hi there,
I started to note down, for a few months, the runs that I didn't have energy for, hated them, couldn't do then and so on. I discovered that the week BEFORE my period I just can't run!!
A couple of days after my period has started I'm fine, and in fact I have so much energy at that point this is when I add a little more distance to my running.
At first when I couldn't run properly for week I used to get very down and upset and felt useless, now I kind of incorporate a "slower" and resting week and then I feel much better for it.
YorksLass, I have the same problem except it's for around 10 days which is a lot of runs missed out if I don't do them. I literally have to shove myself out the door and I feel much better for it. I do find a wee nap in the late afternoon helps if I can get away with it.
PO, that sounds horrendous! I feel for you
If you're on the pill already, can you not change to a form of hormonal contraception where you don't have periods at all (e.g. injections)? You've probably been through all this with your doctor, of course. Have you been referred to a specialist at all?
I notice the men have stayed away from this one!
MadameO - I wont' do the injection because I don't like the idea of having a whole lot of hormones injected into me. As much as I hate the pill, I know that I can stop and have a bit more control over it. I don't get it though because when I was still in South Africa I was on the pill and was fine. I think. I have been on 2 different types over here and neither of them like me.
I haven't been referred to a specialist mainly becuase I don't really bother. The whole waiting thing and not being able to go when I want to etc is getting on my nerves. Will plod through it.
As my name suggests
PO is right, Iron is the answer.
Therefore next time you've got the painters in, give me a bell and you can "iron" all my clothes.
Hey York Lass,
Being in the middle of this same issue at the moment - i was actually considering whether there was any point this morning!! I have been running for three months now and this morning I ran slower than i ever have - an absolute nightmare! It's not even like I'm running that far yet and I couldn't even get myself out the door over the weekend and last week was pretty yuk too. So I totally know where you're coming from.
I went to get some advice from the health shop a few weeks ago and she recommended something called Agnus Castus - which I must say did improve my PMT quite a bit. But then I got on a downer and 'couldn't be bothered' to take it!! - Which is the usual viscious circle I caught up in! I've read up on Agnus and it sounds like it should do the trick - if I can motivate myself to take it.
It has had some scientific tests which have had positive results as well as being used for the last 2500 years!! You could give it a go and see if it works for you.
Does that mean that my going backwards in my progress may be down to my cycle and i might feel better next week?.. Why can I never see this coming or dig my self out of this hole when it happens??..
Just reread my doom and gloom - apologies! I wanted to pass on the health shop advice!! Hope it works!
Raises hand
yeah, i notice this now that i am no longer on the pill
very sluggish running for the few days just before
I think you just have to allow for it actually
AmSo-keep at it-you will improve
My PMT was awful... crap running from ovulation to period with the week before making races a complete waste of time.
Found a pill which suits me, 'Yasmin' and happy as Larry. I should have done it loads sooner... put up with it way too long.
Thanks PH.
I was thinking maybe that the three month line is where the 'real runners' make it and the rest of us admit defeat and put it down to experience!!
Yasmin and Larry sound like the way forward and a match made in heaven!!
I may try Yasmin as well.
Everything else seems to make me want to chew through my wrists so there is no harm in prolonging it
Evening primrose oil has been shown to eradicate swollen abdomen and breast discomfort associated with the TOTM as well as reducing irritability and depression.
200mg a day of magnesium reduces PMS fluid retention, breast tenderness and bloating by 40 percent....apparently.
I use the magnesium and found it works. Haven't tried the evening primrose oil.
.....think we scared most of the boys off with this one!!!
Magnesium is also essential for calcium absoption
AmSo
you ARE a real runner now