Today I started week 4, run 1.
It was a new kind of challenge for me in so many ways as I've started my period. It's also a few days early, which is new to me as well.
I have PCOS. For those of you who are unaware of this condition, its an ovary condition that causes painful cysts to stick to your ovaries which creates unpredictable and extremely painful periods, I've endured this since I was 11 years old. Alongside Endometriosis, it is sometimes referred to as "Suicide Periods"
Which also translates to "worst pain ever" 😂
Other symptoms of PCOS include increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Which is another reason why I'm on this journey. I want to take more active control of my health.
I started taking Metformin a few months ago so my overall goal is to eliminate my chances of diabetes, and become hormonally balanced through medication, exercise and an appropriate diet.
I knew this day would eventually come, where I have to run during a period. Not just during a period though but on the first day of said period, which is the worst part.
I can't find much about running on extremely painful periods online so I thought I'd share my experience here.
So here's how it went:
I woke up this morning in quite a bit of pain.
I was determined to stick to my schedule and go through with the run, psychologically I want this. Physically my body was just cramping up.
I was having hot and cold sweats, shakes, feeling sick, and overall suffering agony.
Usually I eat a biscuit, take all the painkillers and pass out. I'm sick of taking painkillers round the clock. I'm sick of feeling shit.
Its time to try something new.
My logic was that I don't know how my body will react to this until I try it. I don't know if it'll help or hinder me until I've done it. I don't actually know anything until I try it, right?
So I did all my stretches, I drank a TON of water, and off I went.
At first, during my brisk walk, I found walking difficult. I was walking much slower than usual and my breaths are shorter and quicker. I don't know if anyone else experiences this but in the lead up to - and during the first part of my period, my heart rate is always increased and I feel like everything is physically a bit harder to accomplish than usual.
Then I started my 3 minute run. I paced the hell out of myself. I was practically running at a snails pace.
Guess what happened?
My pain went away. In less than I'd say 30 seconds. I felt normal again. I didn't have my usual anxiety brain nagging at me today. All I focused on was looking ahead at my partner, and listening to my body.
When 3 minutes was over I was shocked.
Then something else happened.
My cramps came right back. Shit!
Then I went into my 5 minute run. Anyone here who's been following me knows I've been nervous about this. But I wanted my cramps to stop. I so paced the hell out of it again though this time I do think I picked up a little but kept it steady and easy. My pain went away.
I really enjoyed feeling normal.
It also helped that there was a strong gust of wind pushing me forwards on the uphill bits 😂
I couldn't believe it when I had got halfway through the five minutes because it felt like 1 minute, maybe less. When I did the whole five minutes I was so happy I wanted to fist punch the air like that scene on the breakfast club.
Then my cramps came right back.
I focused on my breathing through it until the next run.
I can't believe I did the whole thing.
I still can't believe it
I think I'm in shock.
If anyone had told me I'd do a big run like this whilst having day 1 of my period (which is usually the worst day of my life everytime) ... I would have laughed at them and told them it ain't happening ever, stop trying to give me nightmares.
I feel like this in a way, has been a blessing in disguise. This has challenged me in so many ways. I feel like I've broken through a barrier. The fact that I can do this, in this amount of agony, pain and discomfort... Has really made me feel like I'm more physically and mentally capable than I ever realised.
Now here's the important lesson learning bit to myself.
After the run I felt emotionally good but physically unwell. I hadn't eaten or taken any painkillers.
When I got back to our van I was sick, twice.
I don't like being sick.
Since then I ate a sandwich and took some painkillers.
Got hot water bottles and had a nap.
I'm feeling better now.
I don't regret the run at all. In fact I'm really really happy that I did it.
So here's my advice to women out there who suffer during their period and want to know if it's worth running as usual:
Yes it absolutely is.
Please do it.
Pace yourself and listen to your body.
However, this is absolutely important and I'm making a list here not just for you but also to remind my future self of what I think I should do next time I am faced with this particular situation :
Make sure you eat something an hour before you run.
Drink plenty of water the night before and an hour before your run.
If you suffer greatly with pain, please take your painkillers an hour or two at least before your run.
Do double the amount of stretches you usually need to do before your run.
Like I said, I don't regret doing it. I don't regret being sick. I wanted to test myself and see how I would cope and what would happen. It's not quite the result I wanted, personally I wanted the run to magically make the pain go away all day, not just while I'm actually running... 😂
At least now I know what's best for me and my body in this situation, and I know I CAN do this 👊 💪
I'm also pleased to say btw, that Doozer came on this run with me. You may have seen his post about getting injured then getting the flu. I could tell he was getting really bummed out seeing me go for runs and reap the benefits of feeling better for it. Getting back into something after a break is so difficult, so I'm super proud of him right now ♥
Thanks for reading all of this
The Famous Artist Birdy Rose
Second run of roseabi's plan
W9R2 - Good run, misty morning, no calf pain!
Running partner worries...
