I was a slacker Saturday and Sunday and avoided the eight miles I was to put in as part of my taper. With guilt getting the best of me, I ended up putting the miles in with my good friend Karrie on Monday morning. It was nice to run with her again – we haven’t been running as much together she moved over to the dark side and started training for triathalons. The workouts she described sound absolutely insane to me – so let’s just say I have no intention of moving over to the dark side anytime soon.
Today I’ll be resting, tapering and pampering my ovaries. For you see, I will be in true Bloody Susan Marathon Form for the Sandy Eggos marathon. Four out of four – go me! This brings me much joy. A nicer person would avoid telling you how fun it is to change a tampon behind a dumpster or in a porta-potty. But I’m not so nice and I know I’m not the only woman who has this problem, lucky for you I’m just the only one who complains non-stop about it. Anyone out there have any tricks of the trade for running in this state of pure bliss?
Do they look meaner or is it me? They grow up so fast.
Hi there,
I found a woodpeckers nest in the woods on my last trailrun. (I guess they are called woodpeckers in english…) Unfortunately I had no camera with me to catch some pics of the cuties inside the Tree-hole. Maybe I’ll get back there today to do so and publish them on my blog.
Run on,
Marcus
I too have wondered what marathon and ultra runners do. I haven’t had much problem as few of my runs last more thatn 2 hours, but what happens when I go longer? Ew….
Oh, honey. I hear you. I got my period the night before my first marathon that was on Sunday. Luckily, I discovered my key pocket was a great OB tampon holder. And I also took ibuprofen pre-start which probably helped with both the cramps and the run-related pains.
Still, stupid luck. Sometimes it sucks to be a girl.
Fortunately I have no advice on this subject only sympathy. Maybe since you and Karrie ran together she actually posted something in her blog (ha ha.
Instead of training on Sun, I went on a date…does that consider as cross training? 🙂
mmmmm, eggos.
Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultramarathon, Half IM, Ironman…HOW do women deal?? We all have to manage it and yet no one ever talks about it… thanks for being a pioneer of the topic…I have no words of wisdom, only sympathy and solidarity, but know that my entire race season is usually scheduled around avoiding it…so far I’ve been pretty lucky but sooner or later it’s gonna be an issue. Such a drag… 🙁
I had a little blackbird as a pet for over ten years so I love the bird-porn, Susan.
One word (or is really two?): DivaCup
‘Nuff said.
Good luck with your marathon!
oh bummer. i totally do what you’re not supposed to do and rearrange my birth control pills so that Flo doesn’t come with to any events!!!
i’m totally jacking with nature, but i can’t imagine the alternative. kudos to you for gutting it out, i guess…..?!?!?!!
ah well. maybe it’ll make you run faster? ya never know…..!
My doc told me that ibuprofen actually stops production of the hormone that causes your period. In the past I have taken regular doses of it (2 every 4 hours) the day before my marathon. It really reduces the cramping and the flow and just makes life much better. Just be careful. Taking ibuprofen regularly for a couple of days can cause a rebound headache when you stop and those are a bitch. Good luck on your marathon!!!!!
Just another thing us guys take for granted – so I can only sympathize but I won’t even pretend to emphathize.
Actually, using birth control pills to delay your period is perfectly acceptable. I just read a reputable article that stated women truly do not need to have periods at all. The Seasonale BCP only allows you to have your period four times per year. And there is a newer BCP (not yet on the market in the U.S.) that suppresses your period for an entire year.
Any ways, sorry to hear of your period troubles Susan. I have heard that the Diva Cup works well, if you can get one in enough time. I can’t imagine what it would be like to run a marathon with my period. Thank goodness I am on the pill!
Good luck,
Jennifer
Susan, good luck to you. I have run one of my marathons while having that “little problem” and I never had any problems. I think my body went into “what the hell are you doing to me” shock and stopped flowing. Just in case, I had my hubby meet me out on the course with backups, but I didn’t need them.
I’ve run several marathons while menstruating, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, in which I had the added stress of loosing my spare tampon early in the run. At Mile 14, I was hiding behind palm trees trying to figure out what to do with the growing stain that would not stop. Do not fret — the Tylenol aid stations are stocked with tampons and sanitary pads. And there are numerous port-a-potties, too.
Can’t help … would if i could … you know that I would.
Yikes. LOTS of Aleve.
But ya see…I’m one of those folks who’d skip the sugar pills in the birth control pack and alter “nature.” I’ve already noticed that with my pill rotation as it is, I’ll have the same problem during the Chicago Marathon. You bet yer ass I’m skipping those puppies, and soon.
Good luck this weekend! You’re going to rock no matter how it all throws down.
we’ll take turns covering for each other behind that dumpster because there is a very, very good chance that I will have the same issue as you.
and, yes, this will be my fourth “big” race with this same problem (sprint tri, 20K, marathonx2)
sigh. we should start a freakin’ club.
oh geesh. Ibuprofen does help…but what a drag. Tampons taped to your shorts? Rip ’em off, like Gu! I’ll be thinking of you, every step of the way.
I’ve never had my period so I have no suggestions. Good luck in San Diego, though.
I will be carrying that one extra item too. Totally sucks…this will be my first marathon though. Is it early enough to stop the trend?
Good luck Susan. Relax and try to enjoy the day. Keep smiling.
oooh, i had that problem for my first Gold Coast marathon. luckily i stayed issue free… BUT… when i reached back in a pocket for my ibuprofen at 23k, out came Ms OB. and if you’re wondering, yes, they do bounce on the road. a lot. and do you know how hard it is to stoop after more than half a marathon to chase a bouncy pon? i could have left it, but i have littering issues and that was my only pontam. what if i left it and then the red sea departed my holy moses?
i’m glad to see you’re consistent. 26.2 miles is impressive, but if you do that while issuing forth a new dawn, that’s even more impressive. Bill Rogers never ran with his period!
Oh, you’ll still be fantastic! But I hear on that pain and what not. That’s why there’s BC Pills! Good Luck!
Susan, good luck – that sucks.
Well like all the other guys I can’t help you. Birds did look tasty though!
I have seen the yellow streak, brown streak and the red streak club members in long races. Good luck and hope you find a solution for your issue.
You will rock at the marathon!
I still think that bird still looks evil! Would like to send a PM to you Susan but not sure how. Can you send a message to: wobbly_man@hotmail.com.au and I will you a message? Ciao, wm
actually, i think you’re lucky. for me PMS feels just so horrible-cramps while i’m running and bigger boobs-i am always way happy to get my period to end the misery. but it sounds like you have dif symptoms that come at dif times. anyway, good luck in your race! but i will admit 4/4 is a crazy coincidence!!
sending midol-like vibes from the drum circle to Runner Susan in Sandy Eggos…
Come to the dark side…
Sorry I can’t help you out with your, umm, problem.
Hope you have a good time in SD!!!
How about a super-absorbent tampon, freshly changed before the start, and then just run really really fast?
damn, that whole timing issue is a major bitch isn’t it!? Regardless of the “issues”, have an awesome race out there!!
Hey best of luck Susan. You’ll be a star and you will cope no matter what! Can’t wait to read the race report – should be an interesting one!
Come on Susan…. come to the DARK SIDE… You will find it easier than the ultra long distance runs you are now doing. 🙂
You’ll do great…maybe I’ll run into you at the starting line! If not, maybe at the beer tent afterwards (if there is one)…that’s where I’ll be…
you’ve got to do a new post. poor mark gets nervous clicking runner susan on the bookmarks bar. i consider it revenge for that nasty foot.
you know you have to run in all white like the commercials for the pons. and run in a daisy field. no, wait. that’s for douches. sorry. go ahead and just run in all white. …with a beaker of blue water.
The only sensible advice is to run packing and wear red shorts.
Have just been looking at your weather forecast for today – 30*c (86*F). Here it is a miserable 11*C if we’re lucky and its duck weather! Good luck for your upcoming event – you’ll be fine!
Have a great race!
I DID IT! I think I am going to pass out from the stress but I am committed now! Thanks for the PUSH! I needed it!
Oh! I would wish you luck but you don’t need luck because you got the “Running Demon” inside of you!!! You are going to do great!!!!