Running and cycles...

[MummyTum]

Not the 2 wheeled sort, alas 😬

Anyone (and I guess I’m probably talking to the ladies here, sorry chaps 😊) have any wisdom on how one’s cycle impacts (or not) on running? And if there is an impact, how to mitigate?

I’m wondering whether today’s run felt harder than usual because of where I am in my cycle, and generally feeling a bit bleurgh 😕

[molly1973 Graduate]

I’m certain it does impact, yes. I often have slow and sluggish runs when I’m pre-menstrual and am usually bloated. My motivation usually drops too as I experience some fatigue. Hitting peri-menopause now though so I’ve just had nearly two months of feeling like that! Interestingly, when I was a teenager (and I was a very fit athlete, although a different sport), I used to have shocking cramps if I ran early on in my period. Coming back to it later in life and I’ve found that a run actually helps with cramps and backache. I take ibuprofen before and make sure it’s properly kicked in and then all is well and generally stays that way after the run. I think overall just pay attention to how you’re feeling, and don’t worry if you don’t have a great run, these things happen and it’s still a run: the next one may be completely different 👍

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thanks for sharing your experience Molly - really helpful.

Ibuprofen before a run sounds a good preventative thing, though at the moment my little one still feeds a bit first thing, so I try not to take anything near that feed 😬

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

I would only take it if I already felt crampy or achey. It enables me to run when I otherwise wouldn’t have. Paracetamol would do for most people, I skip it as it just doesn’t help me 👍

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Ah Ok! Yeah, I’m not sure how much use paracetamol is for cramps. Previously I would always reach for the ibuprofen...

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate]

I would say yes. I had a horrendous run once ....so hard turns out I worked out my patterns. I was at the worst the week before and strangely ran well towards the end. I completely agree with you !! Some runs are just really hard ! Some a breeze.

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to Runfatgirlrun71]

Thanks for sharing this 😊 Really helpful!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It definitely has an impact but that varies person to person and exactly where you are in the cycle, it can be minimal, lacking motivation when hormones are awry to cramps and discomfort on the move or just feeling really discombobulated and clumsy. I read an article years ago which showed it's actually a miracle we can even get out of the house at times 👍🏻🤣

Just take it slow and steady and don't give yourself a hard time if you need to cut it short or postpone a run.

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

😂 Yup, definitely empathising with the miracle getting out the house thing some days!

Thanks for your reply 😊 Good to know I’m not alone...

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

You're never alone 👍🏻😉 unless you're a medical anomaly anything you're experiencing others are too! Always good to get it in the open though 😁

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Definitely! Thanks 😊

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🤗 I am sure it must do! One of the joys of being an older runner🤣

Recognising what is causing our running bleuurghs though,helps with the mental effort of getting through the run. Hopefully a better week coming up! Keep up all the good work so far! You have been amazing! 🤗👏😊🏃‍♀️

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks Annie. Your unfailing cheeriness, positivity and encouragement is a wonderful gift to everyone on this forum 🥰🌟🏃‍♀️😇

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

We all help each other. This forum is the best ever!! 👏

[LUHAN Graduate]

It definitely affects my runs. I feel sluggish, blugh and get easily frustrated the week before. like other i find it helps with aches but my joints weirdly seem looser? And the week after I seem to be a lot warmer during a run!!!! Weird isnt it!

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Yeah I think it does make a difference to how warm you feel now you’ve said that. I think our body temps vary throughout the cycle?

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

I definitely vary in temperature throughout my cycle. I watched a documentary once on professional women athletes and how teams were now tracking women's cycles and changing the intensity of their training according to where on the cycle they were. There were female runners who were interviewed who said that running on the first few days of their period was virtually impossible and caused major differences in their performance. google.com/amp/s/amp.thegua...

Hopefully this link will work!

[MummyTum Graduate]

That’s a fascinating article LUHAN, thanks for sharing the link. As a member of the dodgy knee club, I was particularly interested by the potential greater risk of knee injury during the first half of the cycle.

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

Me too for the exact same reasons. I am not experienced enough yet to tell exactly how it affects me because a lot also has to do with my strength and fitness levels and especially hydration. However I am definitely time tabling a shorter, slower run in for the first half of my cycles in future x

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Hoping I have not just proved the article right 😬 1st half of cycle run this morning and think I may have done some mischief to my dodgy right knee. And possibly my left ankle too 🙄

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

Oh no...I hope not bless you. Rest and ice it if you can. Let us know how you get on. Xx

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Thanks, will do 🙏🏼

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to MummyTum]

🤞🤞

[LUHAN Graduate]

How are you doing? Hows the knee and ankle?

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Thanks for asking 😊

Knee is achy and tender; ankle feels ok. Have another rest day tmrw before starting on week 8 on tues... will be taking it very gently!