Hello! Last week I asked for your girl / personal questions for a post. I’m working with Always to address some of these usually off limits topics. Working out, your period, hormones, pregnancy and other activities can all effect how you feel. It’s stuff all ladies deal with so we should talk about it, right? I am a super open book for most things – girl questions included. But I haven’t wanted to do a whole post on it because I didn’t want to alienate the guys in the crowd.
Well, boys you’ve been warned – skip to tomorrow where I’ll be eating donuts and raving about the SoCal weather per usual.
The call for questions had a great response! So in order to keep this post from turning into a novel I’m going to dive right in…
Note: There are a few questions that I don’t have experience with – if you do please chime in below to help out fellow RER readers. Thank you!
Your female Questions About Running:
Q: My biggest area that I chafe is my lady parts on long runs! Any advice? I’ve tried undies, no undies, and Body Glided everywhere with zero luck.
A: The first thing I do when I have a chafing issue is change my clothes whether it be shorts or a sports bra or top. Having a piece of gear that you’re pulling at or adjusting or that just rubs you the wrong way is the worst. I’d change up my underwear, shorts or capris (or whatever you’re wearing) first. Buy another style or cut or size or fabric to eliminate the chafe before slathering on glide to keep the rubbing to a minimum.
This might mean switching from shorts with built in liner/underwear to compression style or vice-versa. Switch it up and see if that helps.
Tip: There is underwear made specifically for working out now. They are very thin and made from breathable fabric. Try that (along with maybe a new pair of shorts or capris) and see if it helps.
I haven’t had an issue with chafing in this area but have had this same question from a few readers. One reader specifically said this only happens in the winter to her so it might be what she’s wearing in winter vs. summer?
*RER Readers – Can you chime in to help on this one?
Q: As a newer runner I have honestly struggled with starting my period during two half marathons. I must have the worst planning. Do you always carry something with you or am I the crazy woman that needs to bring something with me each run. Also, do you have a preferred brand that doesn’t feel like it is “falling out” when running. (Am I really asking that?) But yes, that is my biggest issue when running because as soon as I feel it I know it is going to be an AWFUL run.
A: Do you keep track of your period? Is it super irregular? I use an app to keep track – it’s not 100% accurate but has been helpful to have a rough idea of when it’s about to start a few days out. It’s called Period App, but I know there are a lot of options out there.
When I first started using the app I did have a few surprises – it sucks!! I try to keep at least one tampon in my purse in case of emergencies but honestly I would hate to have one with me on runs when I didn’t really need it.
I use tampons. They are ones that don’t have an applicator and are super tiny so it’s easy to keep it with you on a run. They expand and really don’t budge once they’re up there. Fair warning – You need to be comfortable pushing it in without an applicator but I think everyone should be comfortable and familiar with this even if it takes some practice. I’ve been using them since I was a teenager and really am happy with them.
You can also use a liner like the Always Dailies. They’re super thin you can probably tuck one in the key pocket of your shorts in case of emergencies and then swap it for a pad or tampon when you get home.
Q: My cramps have ruined training days or races for me before. Do you have any strategies for dealing with cramps and hard racing/training days?
A: Ugh. This sucks! When I have cramps I take Ibuprofen and try to stretch more. My cramps are usually lower back / upper leg area and it’s the worst for running. I focus on lower back and upper leg stretches to help relax the area.
I would also suggest being open to changing hard run days during my period if that works with your schedule. I know you can’t change a race day, but as soon as you realize it’s a period week I would suggest looking at your training schedule and maybe switching around days so you aren’t doing your hardest days on the days with the worst cramps.
Then, you can rest on the ‘worst’ day of your period and complain to your cat like I do.
Q: Hi Monica, I’m a regular reader of your blog! I have noticed a few things regarding my period when it comes to running, and I’m not sure if I’m alone on this, so here we go:
1. I have way less energy when I run the days before my period, it sucks if race day is one of those days
2. I also have way more IBD episodes during those days before my period, and usually have to stop mid-run for a bathroom break, even on short distances
3. As soon as I get my period, I have instantly more energy, yay!
4. Chaffing down there during long runs when you are using a pad, like, how do you avoid it? :/
Sorry if I just threw TMI at you. Am I “normal”? Please send help!
A: Hi! I don’t know if you’re normal as a person (because I’m probably not), but I think your questions are super normal.
1. Yeah, periods can be a huge energy suck – I vote you get more rest. Consider more sleep or a nap or a meditation session to give your body some time to recharge.
2. I can’t speak to this in terms of IBD but I know my stomach tends to get upset around the start of my period. Boo.
*RER Readers – anyone with IBD issues have it worse during ‘time of month’? Thoughts on how to deal?
3. We should start a “post period party” tradition to celebrate more energy! I guess that’s the one good thing about feeling crappy during your period – after it’s great!
4. You might want to consider a super thin pad or switching to tampons for long runs. There are a lot of super thin pad options you could try for when you’re running and then use something else before/after.
The skin in that area is the most sensitive on our body so it’s important to try and prevent chafing in the first place. You might have to do some trial and error with underwear and pads that stay together and don’t move around and rub.
If you’re not super comfortable wearing tampons all the time maybe just when you’re running could help prevent the chafing and then you can wear a pad for the rest of the day.
Q: Have you had any experience with losing your period while training?
While I haven’t lost much weight (128 lbs and 5’4” currently) I have not had my period since January and kept my mileage at a steady 60 miles per week training for ultras. I think I eat enough calories and do pretty well tracking it all – but being 4 months with no Aunt Flo is a little scary!
A: I haven’t lost my period while training but I’m sure there are some readers who have dealt with this or similar problems. Maybe someone will chime in on the comments.
I encourage you talk to a sports dietician about it since losing your period can impact overall health and fertility and that’s not something to mess with long term. Even if you think you’re getting enough calories your body might need more or training is impacting you in some other way or it might not be related to running and is something you should check out with a physician.
*RER Readers – can you help? Have you lost your period? How do you make sure you stay on regular cycles while training?
Q: I have a Diva Cup and used to love it. For running, though, I find it falls out a bit (TMI?). I end up feeling it “down there” and it is really uncomfortable when I run. As such, I started using pads again. The only thing is, I get all sweaty and gross everywhere when I run, so I end up feeling extra gross “down there” when wearing a pad during a run.
I am not a tampon person, but I’d be willing to try it again.
All of this is to ask what you use for protection when you run during your period?
A: I use tampons and I really love them. The ones I use are super tiny in the package because they don’t have an applicator. Someone who is already using a Diva Cup should have no problem switching to this. Maybe you can try to use a tampon just for running and the cup when you’re not running?
Or you can try a pad made specifically for working out? Always has an Active Pad for this.
Q: How do you deal with bloat and avoid that ‘fat feeling’ when you logically know it’s just your body doing its thing? Asking for a friend…. JK it’s for me and my own neuroses.
A: I usually deal with bloat and feeling fat by eating a ton of chocolate and feeling sorry for myself. Ha!
But if I’m trying to actually feel better about it I take a walk – for some reason this helps bloat for me.
If I feel gross and bloated I also make sure to wear something that either makes me feel better or ‘hide’ it so I don’t feel self conscious on top of feeling fat. I don’t want to set myself up for feeling even worse by trying to wear something that is tight on my belly or calls attention to an area that feels crappy right then.
Always sponsored this post to get us talking about keeping a healthy balance in working out and staying fresh and being comfortable talking about it. If you have additional questions or want to chime in on some of the questions above please do!
You can get more information on the Always Dailies and Feminine Wipes at those links.
Question: Can you chime in on some of the above questions?
Who’s down for a post-period party? Or any party? I don’t have any plans for this weekend…
Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Always. All opinions are my own.
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