I know its abit of a wierd question but I wondered if anyone can tell me about running on your period. I wondered if it affects your performance or if you should take it easy. I tried to ask friends who run but most avoid the question (so might not know either) or are on the injection. I know its abit gross but I just cant find info anywhere!
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It doesn't affect me apart from makes me feel a bit more lightheaded than usual (I suffer from hypotension, or is it hypertension LOL I can never remember. Low blood pressure anyway which makes me sometimes feel dizzy). Other than that, no, no problem. However everyone's different aren't they, so if it does affect you, just take rest days, or swim or something - whatever you can do.
Paula set the world marathon record at Chicago after waking up that morning to find that she come on early. She said it was hardly ideal but just went out and saw what happened. ;-)
Fortunately I've yet to run a race while on, but I'm sure I will sooner or later so always continue to train regardless.
I never to let this get in the way of life.
I'd say try it, if it makes you feel a bit wobbly take it easy, if not, plod on :-)
I have raced on the first day and it was not a PB but i did equal my previous time.
So I expect slower times and it does not always pan out that way.
I did 800m reps on first day and I was no slower but no faster either which suprised me.
I refuse for it to effect my training schedule just go easy on myself if a workout seems tougher or I am slower.
Miles makes smiles.
Progression
I can get a bit dizzy so I don't go too mental but I certainly don't stay at home.
I think everyone is different.
it wouldnt stop me running a race though
Before then I used to swim competitively and had to train and race whatever time of the month it was. I found that swimming did help easy the pains and also that I needed to feed my cravings to maintain my energy levels. I used to eat more chocolate around my periods and if I didn't have it I felt worse. Eventually I realised that the craving for chocolate was because my body was needing iron so I started taking iron tablets around the time fo my period and it helped ease the cramps and boosted my energy levels!
For me there's no real difference. Don't get PMT or cramps but feel bit more sleepy the day before. I'm lucky mine are very short and light.
Def think it's linked to physical activity, when I had a normal sit down job I suffered more cramps than I do now having an active one.
Dont let it stop you
I would say just listen to your own body and act accordingly. Even if you decide to not run at all - it's only a few days!
i find it really hard to run on the first day of my peroid, the cramps get really bad for me and i feel as though my stomach is dropping out (now that is what you call grose) I always struggle through though and have to run much slower. After day 3 im fine and find i have really good training sessions and am full of energy
I'm going to make an enormous sweeping assumption that you are under 20. This is not a prejudice or criticism, just that you sound youngish (lucky you!), and hence I'm replying...
Your question sort of implies that you have a hard time when your periods start, continuing to run. Is this because your periods are very heavy, or you get very bad pains? If so, there are a couple of things you can do about it.
Most (another awful generalisation?!) of the women on here are probably taking some kind of contraception. As well as the obvious benefit of preventing unwanted pregnancies, contraception often has the added bonuses of a) making your periods a LOT more predictable and b) making your periods lighter and shorter. Doesnt work for everyone, but for many this is true. If you have heavy, painful periods, something like the combined pill may be helpful. To some extent you can also manipulate your periods (miss one out) which means if you have a hugely important race, you can simply "not bother" with one that month!
Contraception (which may help with periods) comes in numerous forms, including daily pills, 3-monthly injections and 3-yearly implants.
If you dont want the contraception aspect, are worried about the implications of taking contraception (assumptions being that you need it not for period control), dont want to take hormones before you "need" to (for birth control later on) or want to reduce the years you take it and hence avoid the (slightly) elevated risk of breast cancer (if there is a history of this in your close family) there are other options. If pain is preventing you running, and loosening up/ warming up does not allieviate this, there are medications you can take. Mefanamic acid is one such medication which specifically targets period pains - on a completely different level to simply taking lots of ibruprofen or paracetamol and far better for your liver!
My advice - if any of this is applicable to you - is to talk to your doctor about the various options. No-one else (eg parents) need to know. Beware that some GPs may assume you have a "hidden agenda" and are too shy to ask outright for the Pill - if this isnt what you want, insist on being told about other options.
Last but not least - dont let it stop you doing what you love! You have to put up with it for many years to come!
I feel abit sluggish also. However, I never let it stop me exercising & just listen to my body and slow down if I feel yucky.
I run really well the first couple of days of my period and mentally it helps to know your beating the water retention
I thought i was going to have a nightmare with my 3 hour runs and the need for a shall we say 'comfort stop' but exercise seems to slow the flow - sorry just being honest
Alternatively, go for "hormone free" methods, like a diaphragm or coil.
Best thing....call your practice nurse or the NHS hotline: 0845 4647
(I know thats not many numbers, but thats what it says!)
this website might give you some info
back to the topic... )
contrary to other people, day 1 isn't so bad for me, but days 2 and 3 I am popping huge amounts of pills (yep, mefanamic acid, marvellous stuff, lightens blood flow too). I have PB'd a couple of times on day 1. and by about day 4 or 5 I have stacks of energy and put good times in again.
but exercise is absolutely the best thing for period pains for me - it can halve the amount of painkillers I need. I just make sure I have enough carbs and fluids so I don't get dizzy.
I usually run slower the week before, if i run at all, 'cos i'm usually too busy crying, eating chocolate, and wondering whether to kill myself, or wipe out the population of Planet Earth first.
I'm OK once its started though - not too much pain & running's a lot better, just as well 'cos mine usually last 8 days :¬(
I just had an email conversation where I did actually wonder whether there more stupid people crossing my path than normal today and how much they were infuriating me.
a grab bag of salt n vinegar crisps (my PMT craving) and I feel so much better. but yes, the week before is a nightmare. very clumsy too.
and I would love my cycle to be predictable enough to take that - variance of 10 days is normal for me.
might be worth trying the mefenamic acid? it has shortened my periods (and, more importantly, lightened them)