Some supplies for Aunt Flo’s visit…read on for more advice from Mother Runners on how to deal with this unwelcome guest.
Last week, we posted Role Mother Melissa’s unforgettable essay about running her first Goofy Challenge (that’s half on Saturday and a full on Sunday) while on “Day Two” of her period. If you haven’t read it yet, stop right now and go. It’s worth it.
Melissa’s post came out of a Facebook post (on pantliner chafing vs. light tampons) that turned into a call to long-distance runners for their tips and advice (and stories). And we want to deliver those ideas for the next time you find yourself facing a long run or race and that time of the month. It’s a mix of a 2012 post SBS put together on race-day running with your period and some updates with new products that have come onto the market since then. We hope you find it helpful! (An obvious warning: TMI ahead!)
Tips to power through running with period pain.
-Shorten the string.
Women have complained to us about chafing from a tampon string. (Yeah, we hear it all–we love nothing better than a good overshare!) One mother runner, Christine, told us cuts it shorter so that no string hangs outside her body. SBS took to knotting her OBs and snipping the string. Another chafe-avoiding tactic we’ve read about online: Liberally apply BodyGlide to the string hanging outside your body.
Mother Runners love it…
-Investigate the Diva Cup.
A menstrual cup used in lieu of a tampon or pad. One can hold the flow for up to 12 hours so bring on that ultra or 70.3 race. (Like the next option, this one isn’t for the squeamish.) Another mother runner Christy Zuzelo is a fan; here’s a post she wrote about it.
-Pop pills.
Our favorite mother runner OB/GYN, Amanda Hurtubise, gave us this news-to-us suggestion if you have a race coming up (read: rescheduling is not an option). “For women who are not on hormonal contraception a great trick is, ‘scheduled ibuprofen.’ Take 600-800mg three times a day, 1-2 days immediately prior to and during the period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) constrict the blood vessels to the uterus and can significantly decrease menstrual flow. The key is to take it consistently 3x daily prior to and during bleeding. It won’t work if just taken haphazardly. This trick will also help with any cramping.”
Dear Kate in action.
-Try some absorption undies.
There are a few on the market, the newest of which is Thinx, which offers a sports brief with comfort-fit leg holes and a soft, breathable cotton interior. The moisture-wicking tech fabric holds one and half tampons worth of fluid. Dear Kate is another option with a sport brief in multiple cuts. Again, the high-tech fabric is wicking, stain releasing, and leak-resistant. Both brands suggest you use your own discretion as to whether you double up with a tampon, but this is a pretty good option for a few hours on the course.
Now, it’s your turn to overshare: Have any tips for dealing with your monthly visitor during a long run or race?
FYI, the undies are useless if you sweat a lot. That 1 1/2 tampons worth counts sweat too and once it’s absorbed that much you’ve got a river down your leg. I’m a heavy sweater though so it may work for others. I like them for when I’m not running, when I am running they’re only good for shorter (<5 miles) runs in cooler weather or tampon backup.
I've also tried two brands of cups and feel like they're going to fall out when I run. Thinking of trying another, firmer cup.