Running with Little Red Riding Hood

Before I go any further, get over the title.  Yes.  I know I'm a bit disturbing for associating a childhood reference to your menstrual.  Wait, you didn't get it?  Now you do.  Glad that I got that cleared up.

Running on your menstrual cycle can be pain free or the biggest pain in your ass and abdomen quite literally.  Unfortunately for me, I'm more or less the latter one most times.  I have fibroids the size of Texas that have been occupying space in me like Christopher Columbus for 8 years now.  I want to remove them but they either shift to very awkward locations (like the one that's putting pressure on my anus) or they pretend to be project roaches where they leave and when you think they're dead, they just keep coming right back.  Sigh...but life goes on.  

Perhaps you don't have these problems because you don't suffer from fibroids or endometriosis.  It could be because you're a man.  In that case, thank you male parts every morning except for when you chafe.  But if you're a women who is still getting a menstrual cycle, you may have experienced anxiety at some point of your life as a runner when your little red riding hood comes knocking at your door.  It took a lot of trial and error on my part on how to work around it.  Perhaps these pointers might help some of my female readers out.  Forgive me if I miss a few (or a lot):

1. I use the bathroom religiously before a run, despite my menstrual being here or not.  When you are expecting your menstrual, I think it spikes up the requirement a bit more.  Use the bathroom.  Channel your inner poop monster and literally lighten up your load.  
2. Planning out how many miles you are going to run, along with your route, is especially helpful.  When I am going for a "light" 4 - 6 mile run, I try to either stay on the track near my home or opt to run in an area where I can use their bathrooms with ease.  Thankfully, I have a Planet Fitness membership and I have certainly used my "perks" as a black card member for more than what it is marketed for.  If I am going for a much longer run, I carry a runner's belt to keep my personals in.
3. Hydration is your best friend.  If you needed it before, you certainly need it now.  Our internal body temperature spikes around our time of the month.
4. Prevention is always better than cure as my best friend would remind me.  Figuring out your diet can certainly help a bit.  I learned that eating a crap load of chocolate and salt cravings make my cramps worse if I indulge too heavy the week before my period.  A little research goes a long way.
5. Figure out the best sanitary method for you.  I heard incredible things about the Diva Cup, although I haven't tried it.  I tried another company that sells the cups (cannot remember the name to save my life) and I had some hit or miss situations with it.  Tilted pelvis issues made it hard for the cup to come out, which sent me into panic mode.  Some women complain about super tampons but it has been a great solution for me on heavy days.  I can only use Kotex or Tampax brand, specifically ones that are tailored to sports/high levels of activity.  Everything else is pure hell for me.  I pair this up as a precautionary method with a regular pad on the first two days of my menstrual cycle.  I was forced to explore this option on my Staten Island Half last year, as well as my first (and possibly last) ultra marathon in November 2015.  I carried a few tampons, about six painkillers and a mental prayer hoping that I wouldn't become a meme.  
6. Wear black shorts if you are paranoid.  Some days, I feel pretty secure but on those first three days of bleeding, I don't really chance it.  If it's not navy blue or darker, I will be side eyeing everyone.
7. Perhaps, you're not bothered and a free bleeder.  It is not my cup of tea but to each her own.  As much as I know that a menstrual cycle is a natural occurrence in women, I am not comfortable with the notion that I could be bleeding heavy enough for it to run down my legs.  I had a heated argument on my Facebook page about the London Marathon runner with a decent amount of folks some time last year because I found it to be an issue.  Even with my personal views, I will not knock another for working through things the way that they see best.

Aside from these tidbits, running on a menstrual cycle isn't all that terrible.  I can feel the side eyes and teeth sucking coming my direction right now.  But honestly, I find that there are good and bad days regardless if my time of the month is approaching or not.  In fact, I found that if I push through days before my menstrual at times, my cramps were significantly less than before.  Every person is different though.  I do notice that a week before my time of the month, running is sometimes a struggle.  My breathing is a bit more labored than usual and it takes just a bit more oomph to get through.  But you know what?  I'm a runner regardless.  

I saw this article on Runner's World:  Running & Menstruation:  Running in Cycles that was exceptionally helpful in breaking down the science of all of my ramble.  I know all of what I just spoke on might creep a few of you guys out but it's natural.  It happens.  And regardless of how you feel about it, there's someone who legitimately have a question regarding such a topic.  Three plus years ago, I was a bit embarrassed and ignorant about the topic so I relied on Google search.  I don't feel ashamed anymore and when asked by a few female (and one male runner) about this, I can openly discuss it with confidence.  Hopefully, your little red riding hood will not hinder you from doing what you love.  Happy running! 

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