Sunday, December 6, 2015

A Horrible, Terrible, Very Bad Run Is Better Than No Run At All

My body has not been itself this week.

Fatigue. Cramps. Farts (well, that’s normal). Loss of appetite. I knew I must be gearing up for the Parting of the Red Sea, the Surfing of the Crimson Wave and/or the Joining of the Cast of Pad Men. Yes, the old period. (<no, I didn’t make these up. Go HERE to see more hilarity).

Today I am 48 years, 9 months and 14 days old. Yet, I have not the slightest indication yet that this period business is ebbing. It just keeps flowing. I guess that is not surprising since the typical age for menopause is 51 years.

I’ve always sucked at keeping track of when she would arrive (<I’m guessing she’s a she. She has to be. A “he” would be creepy). I know it’s not difficult to count days, but I forget. Most of the time, my body doesn’t react too strongly to getting my period. The cramps are kept at bay and I am not regularly found screaming obscenities at drivers at school pick up even if they’re ass-hats. But, then there are some weeks where I’m begging for mercy.

This was one of those weeks. I can deal with the unpleasantries, but I HATE it when anything fucks with my running. Awhile ago, I did a post on how running affects your period. I can’t honestly remember what I wrote (I am 48 years and 9 months old, you know), but you can read it HERE. I think it was pretty interesting and I actually did quite a bit of research (<uncommon on this blog). I also read a great article this week about why your period can cause so much stomach upset. Read it HERE.

I had a few mediocre runs this week, figuring I’d put in some bigger miles on the weekend. Saturday morning I was still feeling particularly turd-like, but I thought a run would help. We barely made it to the trail head when I had to make a run for it (<even though I’d left the kids at the pool before leaving home. Another fun code phrase!):

IMG_5766

I thought all would be good after that, but nope. This was to a be an 8 mile run, cut short to a 6 mile run due to my frequent stops to jump off of the trail.  There was also mud and ice and on Saturday I actually kind of hated running. Yep, I said it. (This is mud, btw).

IMG_5765

Today was a new day and I thought I’d try for 10 miles on the road. I felt crappy pretty much the whole run, but I did it and I’m glad I did. I will be forever grateful to my favorite itty bitty store (Purple Door Market) exactly 2.3 miles from my house that put a porta potty out front. In fact, I purchased a time share.

IMG_5779

So cozy! And purple!

That is all I have to say. The point of this is that whether it’s your period or something else that derails your running, it’s okay. It always means that the next runs will be better or that they won’t, but you will still be running and that is the point.

In my mind, a horrible run is actually better than no run at all. Plus, the rest of the day I just did this:

IMG_5778

My slippers. Heidi taking up the whole couch.

And I WILL tell you something that made my weekend. I woke up to a text Saturday morning from my aunt in Maryland who did her first 5K yesterday at the age of 65. Now THAT put a smile on my face. Go Aunt Donna!

Do you get PMS? Does your period affect your running? When did you first get yours? I was 16!! Late bloomer. I am still waiting to get boobs.

When did you run your first ever race? Bolder Boulder 10K in 2000. Then I took a break for 8 years.

SUAR

36 comments:

  1. I have endometriosis so my periods are BRUTAL. I had surgery for it 7 years ago and it was better but my doc said it would more than likely come back and I think that's what has started to happen over this last year. I get really back stomach issues when I get my period. Some months are ok and others not so much. I usually manage to train through it and thankfully I've only ever gotten my period on race morning once. Of course it happened to be an Ironman so that was FUN. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Resolve Your Marriage Issues With The Help Of Prophet Ayelala..

      GREETINGS everyone.. My name is Sarah Gomez FROM CANADA i will never forget the help Prophet Ayelala rendered to me in my marital life. i have been married for 5 years now and my husband and i love each other very dearly . after 3 years of our marriage my husband suddenly change he was having an affair with a lady outside,i notice it then i was praying for divine intervention the thing became more serious i told my pastor about it we prayed but nothing happen. my husband just came home one day he pick up his things and left me and the kids to his mistress outside at this time i was confuse not knowing what to do again because i have lost my husband and my marriage too. i was searching for help in the internet, i saw many people sharing testimony on how Prophet Ayelala help them out with their marital problems so i contacted the email of Prophet Ayelala i told him my problem and i was told to be calm that i have come to the right place were i can get back my husband within the next 24hours. He told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen.that they will restored my marriage. to my greatest surprise my husband came to my office begging me on his knees that i should find a place in my heart to forgive him,that he will never cheat on me again. i quickly ask him up that i have forgiven him.friends your case is not too hard why don't you give Prophet Ayelala a try they work surprises because i know they will help you to fix your relationship with your ex partner. i thank god for using Prophet Ayelala to save my marriage. Contact him via Email: ( Ayelala7demons@gmail.com ) Or Reach him on whats-app: +2347031894318


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  2. I feel you. About 7 years ago I had that offending organ removed because it was hosting a huge fibroid. I haven't looked back. My quality of life increased 1,000,000 % after that. My mom asked me if I missed my periods. Are you KIDDING me?

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  3. I was 15 when I got my first and at 47 I have been on the verge of menopause for a while. The hot flashes are brutal. I rarely get a period anymore thanks to the Merena. It is a wonderful thing. Still around that time when I may spot, I tend to hurt EVERYWHERE. Knees, hips, ankles. It sucks!

    This was a difficult week for us. On Wednesday we had to put one of our fur-babies to sleep. I did go to my Wednesday run group and pounded out my sadness on the pavement. Running is how I burn off my anger, sadness, anxiety. The best stress-reliever next to xanax!

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  4. Terrible week. Minorly injured and had to only run one miler day (to keep up my streak). Also , pmsy and pre-menopausal. I feel your pain!! I am 51, btw, please make it stop! Thanks for keeping it real and real funny!

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    1. 51 years (and 8 months) here and still feeling the pain. We must be above average!? I think peri menopause is PMS on steroids. I've added insomnia to my array of symptoms, which makes a crummy run feel like I'm moving in quicksand.

      Ran my first race in 2012 at 48. My father-in-law ran a turkey trot with us on Thanksgiving - he's 83! We had quite an adventure buying him a real pair of running shoes.

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  5. Funny you say it's better than no run at all, because it is precisely that which prevented me from my runs this week. Mine are so abnormal I now have to see a gyn. So I'm appreciating this blog posts and all the laughs.

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  6. My periods don't bother me a bit, but my years are killing me. (yuk yuk yuk)

    First ever race, not counting the 880 yd one in high school? Local half iron in 2008.

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  7. I was a late bloomer at 16 and at 54 I'm still waiting to get boobs. My periods never bothered me and at the age of 51, I noticed that my period had skipped a couple of months and then "boom" stopped.

    The other menopause symptoms hit this year (forgetfulness (the worst), sleeplessness, a giant hair that grew out of my chin (I had permanently lasered)) came in full force this year.

    But you know what? Not having a period is well worth suffering the other problems. I don't have to worry about that time of the month when I sign up for a race or worry about where to stash a tampon. It is the most wonderful part of getting old!

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  8. I have a Mirena IUD so I haven't had a period in 15 years. Some months I have light spotting but nothing major. It is FANTASIC!! I have been done having kids for 15 years but decided to go this route for birth control because of this side effect alone. Me and the Mirena will be friends until menopause ��

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  9. I think I was 14...9th grade? I felt like I was a late bloomer but you have me topped for sure. I am the same way with very little PMS symptoms and no warning. I do get really really tired though.

    I'm 48 with no sign of menopause yet. They keep testing me for hormone changes to no avail. Seems everyone wants me to be there but it's not happening. Sorry to disappoint? I don't care either way (maybe I should) and due to hypothyroid/celiac I'm always cold...maybe the hot flashes will finally make me warm? I've had two half marathons that were nightmares because I started my period AT the starting line. I just decided I'd never do that again. Friends, money, whatever. I'm ditching. It's an awful experience.

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  10. I feel your pain. 53 3/4 years old and still getting periods every month! And my doc says there's no sign of a drop in estrogen yet so I'm not holding my breath. In my case, I've had them for 40 years now and still no boobs. Seriously, how fair is that?!? Good on ya for running when you felt so crummy. And congrats to Aunt Donna! That's awesome!!

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    1. I'm also 53 3/4 and still getting my periods. They are getting further and further apart, but now I don't know when to expect them! I was always very regular, every 24 days. I started when I was 12 years old, so I am way past ready for them to go away. I used to have extremely heavy periods, and have a few marathon pictures with blood running down my legs (I was even wearing an ultra plus tampon). Other than the heavy flow, they haven't bothered my running very much.

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    2. 53 1/2 and "Flow" still visits-more regularly now than ever! Viscous moods the week before (usually catches me off guard-really?), headaches, night sweats (brrrr), and insomnia. Try as much as I can to convince myself I will feel better after getting out, even if I walk my whole "run"! Hoping the later menopause arrives the better off I am with the whole "post menopause" pooch, bone weakness, etc.
      Good luck everyone! this whole post made me laugh out loud!

      Delete
    3. Resolve Your Marriage Issues With The Help Of Prophet Ayelala..

      GREETINGS everyone.. My name is Sarah Gomez FROM CANADA i will never forget the help Prophet Ayelala rendered to me in my marital life. i have been married for 5 years now and my husband and i love each other very dearly . after 3 years of our marriage my husband suddenly change he was having an affair with a lady outside,i notice it then i was praying for divine intervention the thing became more serious i told my pastor about it we prayed but nothing happen. my husband just came home one day he pick up his things and left me and the kids to his mistress outside at this time i was confuse not knowing what to do again because i have lost my husband and my marriage too. i was searching for help in the internet, i saw many people sharing testimony on how Prophet Ayelala help them out with their marital problems so i contacted the email of Prophet Ayelala i told him my problem and i was told to be calm that i have come to the right place were i can get back my husband within the next 24hours. He told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen.that they will restored my marriage. to my greatest surprise my husband came to my office begging me on his knees that i should find a place in my heart to forgive him,that he will never cheat on me again. i quickly ask him up that i have forgiven him.friends your case is not too hard why don't you give Prophet Ayelala a try they work surprises because i know they will help you to fix your relationship with your ex partner. i thank god for using Prophet Ayelala to save my marriage. Contact him via Email: ( Ayelala7demons@gmail.com ) Or Reach him on whats-app: +2347031894318


      Delete
  11. I just sat here at work and told my co-workers that I would like to rip my uterus out right now because it would probably hurt less and produce less bleeding. I started when I was 14 years 9 months. I am knocking really really close on the 46 door (like days away) and I barely get 2 weeks between the bouts of uterine ebola. Told one of my friends over the weekend, "I'm too old for this sh1t!" My mom had her hysterectomy at age 46. She said it was one of the best things that ever happened to her.

    First race at 42. Took an unintentional break from running, but working on getting back into the routine so I can do the Tarheel 10 miler in April. And lose (again) the weight that I gained back when I "paused."

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  12. I've got everyone beat. I started when I was almost 10 yo. Freaked my mother out, as you can imagine. Periods weren't openly discussed in 1975, so I had no idea what was going on. I turned 50 this summer and even though I'm on the pill, I'm still going strong but luckily, my periods are very light and short (3 days). Other than bloating I'm fortunate not to have other PMS symptoms. During the week, it's a different story. I could rip everyone's head off with one swipe.

    I ran my first 5K in 2008 and I really had no idea what I was doing. I came in last and I could hear the guys in the golf cart behind me tell the policeman "She's the last one" as I went through intersections they had blocked off. I'm still not fast but at least I don't come in last anymore!

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  13. Pms? Definitely.
    First Period? 12 y/o.
    I am now in my forties and mother to eight beautiful kids. I've gotten my money's worth out of my uterus!! She tortures me now every month with huge clots and Niagra Falls levels of flow. I can barely get an hour out of an ultra flow tampon before I'm leaking around it. Sorry if that's TMI. But, you asked! Thank goodness for black running tights and porta potties.
    I'm now waiting for my uterus to slip out and start dragging behind me on my runs.
    My first race was the Gasparilla 5k in 2014.
    Training now for the Gasparilla half marathon in 2016.
    Sure hope I don't get my period on race day.
    I'll have to carry a whole box of tampons with me if I do. Maybe I should try to get sponsored by Playtex?

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Hey, there's an app for that- period tracking, I mean! I don't need to track as my birth control = no periods for me, yay!

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  16. LOL.Think I have everyone beat in the late-bloomer dept - my visitor came knocking after I turned 18. 49 now and still going. I am thankful, as a runner, that my Girls are small. No bouncing up and down. Gotta be positive and count our blessings! :-)

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  17. 51!?!?!??! I cannot wait that long. I'm so effing sick of it. I can't believe 12 year old me looked forward to it. I was 12. Thirty years of this is enough.

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  18. I'm 55 and the river still runs! IKR? What's up with that? It usually doesn't affect my runs too much - but I feel a lot heavier and more sluggish. I started at 13 - why I'm still cursed I have no earthly idea... but now it's starting to skip around on me -- one month nothing - the next --whenever! a massive flood - frustrating at best since the average age is 51 to 52 - my mom stopped at 52 -- why me???

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  19. Luckily no physical symptoms bad enough to ruin my runs. What bothers me the most about that time of the month is my mental state. I can't get rid of "fuckthisshitIquit" attitude during my runs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
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      Delete
  20. During my period, I am a running rockstar. I feel like I have enough energy to go forever even though I am a bloody mess. The week before however, there is a buffalo attached to my ass on every run. Great, only 10+ years to go...

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  21. Hi everyone,
    I'm short of words, i don't know how to express my happiness to the world..
    My name is Tiffany Wilson From California, after Five years of marriage, My Husband divorces me off no reason, I cried all through and try all the possible best I could to make everything work out for good and to get him back but to no avail, I was confused and frustrated until I crossed a site of Dr Frank Ojo, I read everything completely on the site, it was talking about Love spells and reunion marriage spells and different types of spells, I was more confused on what to do because I don’t believe on spell casters mostly on Love spells, though I decided to give a try out, I contacted Dr Frank Ojo and explained everything completely to him on what I am passing through to my own greatest surprise, Dr Frank Ojo told me that my husband is going to call me back to come home after two days he has finished casted the spell. I have believed on him and so surprising really my husband calls me back home and ask for forgiveness and he promised to Love me only and forever be with me only. All great thanks to Dr Frank Ojo for his marvelous spell work, contact him today by his Email: Templeofloveandprosperity@gmail.com ,website info: http://lovespell2.yolasite.com , If you have any problem contact him, I give you 100% guarantee that he will help you, Thanks to Dr Frank Ojo.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes, I PMS and Yes it affects my runs. The week before I start though I have SO much energy and motivation. Its the week of that really makes me want to punch myself! I to am still waiting on my boobs....

    My first race was probably the Jingle Bell Run in Wichita, KS. I imagine I was 19. I am 27 now.

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  23. For reasons yet unknown I got to take care of all the menopause biz before I was 30 and while going through it I had some seriously Sucktastic runs, but I still needed them bad as they were!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was with my ex partner for 8 yrs and in September last year he left me and took my kids and i have not had contact with them for 6 mths. He has a new girlfriend but he does not treat them right. I really need him and my kids back. They are the loves of my life and i am so empty without them. I need help, i saw a post by Natasha Choas from united states who testified of Dr Unity the spell caster. I contacted Natasha Chaos to confirm about Dr Unity and she guaranteed me and gave me the courage to contact Dr Unity for help. So, i contacted him and he assured me that my days of sorrows are over that i will get back my partner within 48hours. I did all what he told me and am very happy that my partner and my kids is back to me and we are now living happily like never before and i can boldly and proudly testify to the world that Dr Unity is a good and remarkable spell caster that specializes on different kind of spells. If you need his help, then contact him on his Email: Unityspelltemple@gmail.com .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Resolve Your Marriage Issues With The Help Of Prophet Ayelala..

      GREETINGS everyone.. My name is Sarah Gomez FROM CANADA i will never forget the help Prophet Ayelala rendered to me in my marital life. i have been married for 5 years now and my husband and i love each other very dearly . after 3 years of our marriage my husband suddenly change he was having an affair with a lady outside,i notice it then i was praying for divine intervention the thing became more serious i told my pastor about it we prayed but nothing happen. my husband just came home one day he pick up his things and left me and the kids to his mistress outside at this time i was confuse not knowing what to do again because i have lost my husband and my marriage too. i was searching for help in the internet, i saw many people sharing testimony on how Prophet Ayelala help them out with their marital problems so i contacted the email of Prophet Ayelala i told him my problem and i was told to be calm that i have come to the right place were i can get back my husband within the next 24hours. He told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen.that they will restored my marriage. to my greatest surprise my husband came to my office begging me on his knees that i should find a place in my heart to forgive him,that he will never cheat on me again. i quickly ask him up that i have forgiven him.friends your case is not too hard why don't you give Prophet Ayelala a try they work surprises because i know they will help you to fix your relationship with your ex partner. i thank god for using Prophet Ayelala to save my marriage. Contact him via Email: ( Ayelala7demons@gmail.com ) Or Reach him on whats-app: +2347031894318


      Delete
  25. Its a great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great worklimousinesoftware.net |

    ReplyDelete
  26. Resolve Your Marriage Issues With The Help Of Prophet Ayelala..

    GREETINGS everyone.. My name is Sarah Gomez FROM CANADA i will never forget the help Prophet Ayelala rendered to me in my marital life. i have been married for 5 years now and my husband and i love each other very dearly . after 3 years of our marriage my husband suddenly change he was having an affair with a lady outside,i notice it then i was praying for divine intervention the thing became more serious i told my pastor about it we prayed but nothing happen. my husband just came home one day he pick up his things and left me and the kids to his mistress outside at this time i was confuse not knowing what to do again because i have lost my husband and my marriage too. i was searching for help in the internet, i saw many people sharing testimony on how Prophet Ayelala help them out with their marital problems so i contacted the email of Prophet Ayelala i told him my problem and i was told to be calm that i have come to the right place were i can get back my husband within the next 24hours. He told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen.that they will restored my marriage. to my greatest surprise my husband came to my office begging me on his knees that i should find a place in my heart to forgive him,that he will never cheat on me again. i quickly ask him up that i have forgiven him.friends your case is not too hard why don't you give Prophet Ayelala a try they work surprises because i know they will help you to fix your relationship with your ex partner. i thank god for using Prophet Ayelala to save my marriage. Contact him via Email: ( Ayelala7demons@gmail.com ) Or Reach him on whats-app: +2347031894318



    ReplyDelete
  27. I agree, it's better to have a bad run than not run at all and waste your time laying on your bed. Physical fitness is very important, that's why I always tell my students via need to buy affordable research papers to exert even for 30 minutes of their time to walk, run or dance everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dr. Todd you should know that he's back, and we are happy again, I couldn't have done it with out you. thanks for Staying with me, when i was alone. Your the best. And for the people that don't know about my case, I contacted him a month ago, I was heartbroken and he helped me. Only 2 weeks after the spell was cast I'd got the results. He came back to me and ask me to forgive him. The other woman went back to Australia. THANKS! e-mails: manifestspellcast@gmail.com or manifestspellcast@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete