Raise your hand if you didn't get your period until you were 16.
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| Yes, in fact, I was 192 months old (16) when I got my mine |
Funny side story: We were visiting the ruins in Olympia, Greece when mine started. I think this means something, but I'm not sure what. Maybe that I am meant to go to the Olympics. Or, maybe I was just trying to get out of seeing one more Greek temple.
(Also, why do they call it a period? Well, I just googled it and OMG! Now I know the Greek-connection. "Period is rooted in the Greek words "peri" and "holdos" meaning "around" and "way/path." This eventually turned into the Latin "periodus" meaning "recurring cycle." My mind is blown.)
I've always been somewhat of a late bloomer. Rumor has it (according to my mom) that I was difficult and late in my potty training because I had trouble pooping and sometimes just flat out refused to go. This is highly ironic if you have read this blog for any period of time. There have been many runs and races where I wish I had trouble pooping because that would have saved me lots of time in porta potties, bushes and tunnels (yes, a tunnel. A story for another day). In other late blooming news, I didn't lose my virginity until the age of 28 (I kid. I'm not going to tell you the real age I was, but it was probably later than most). Finally, I am still waiting to sprout breasts. Proud IBTC member here.
You know what else I was late at? Running. I didn't start running until I was 41 years old. Like most things in my life, I came to it by chance. You see, I'm not the best at going after things. I tend to wait around until something comes to me (I'm not saying this is the way to live life, but it's my pattern). So, one day I got a post card in the mail from Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) inviting to me to raise money and exchange they would train me to run a marathon. Why not? I ran my first 26.2 in Phoenix on January 18, 2009 in a time of 4:03. It was right after that I wrote my first ever blog post, which totally cracks me up to look at because I had no pictures of me running or the finish. Just a photo of my ugly, bruised toenail.
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| Is that a penis shaped popsicle? |
Funny side story: I was so new to running that I had no clue how to carry things. I safety-pinned 6 gels on my singlet and shorts. I am still wondering how the hell I ran and unpinned 6 gels. What a dork.
Since that day the post came 15 years ago, I cannot stop running. I'm no Forrest Gump, but it's got a hold on me now and all I do is look for that next race or opportunity. God help me if my knees give out like Aunt Ethel says they will, or my uterus falls out like they warned Katherine Switzer (first woman to officially run Boston) that hers would.
So, what is my point? You guessed it: It's never too late to start. Just because you haven't done something for the first 40, 50, 60 years of your life doesn't mean you can't start now. Maybe you used to run but it's been 20 years since you last tried and you think those days are behind you. Give it a try. Take a chance at that thing that scares you enough to take your breath away. Let's hear it for late bloomers!
When did you start running?
Are you a late bloomer in anything?
Got a good period story?
SUAR
Hello! I got my period when I was 15 1/2. But before that I had to endure a traumatic gyne visit (thank you mom!) to prove that I was normal. I don't think I've been normal since.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was a late bloomer to running but I started running around 30. I didn't run my first half marathon until I was 48; my first marathon at age 49. I was busy raising my boys and didn't do much racing until then. But you are right, it's never too late to start!
geez a gyno visit before the age of 15 1/2 sounds highly traumatic!
DeleteI started following your blog back in 2010 or 2011.( Peanut was just a peanut! ) I started running at the age of 12 (43 now)
ReplyDeleteLate bloomer and fellow IBTC member until I paid to get out of it lol!
The Period story that set the standard on aspects about what to teach my future sons:
It Was my senior of college. We had a home cross country meet on our campus. My period showed up in full glory at mile 3. A bloody mess in the most literal sense. My dear friend who was raised right by his mamma greeted me at the finish line with a bottle of water, a hug, his sweatshirt to wrap around my waist and a whisper in my ear saying, it’s ok, I got you covered…
I decided then in there that if I ever had a son, I’d raise him to respectful and kind to women if he ever saw them having period troubles. Proud to say that 23 years later I’ve got 2 sons who know when it’s appropriate to give a girl his sweatshirt to tie around her waist 🙂
I absolutely love this. We all need a dear friend to save us in a situation like that. I'm glad your sons will be that person too!
DeleteI ran a bit in high school, but then I discovered beer and cars. That was essentially it for running till madness struck and I took up triathlon at age 48 or so. That strikes me as "adult onset". I was never a 'runner' though. On a good day it was more like a plodder. On a bad day, think of T Rex stuck in a tar pit. There is video, if you don't believe me.
ReplyDeleteLate bloomer in photography.
And no good stories, period.
But the real question is when did you lose your virginity lol. Wow 48 to take up tris. Good for you.
DeleteYeah late bloomer is right. Started running when all others sports I loved took too much time to combine with raising a child. Marathon at age 48. But also late fullfilling my childhood dream, playing electric guitar. So i picked it up when turning 50 and behold: Learning an intrument is hard as hell! But i just love trying it each day
ReplyDeleteFirst marathon at 48! Impressive. I love that you took up the electric guitar and are challenging yourself but also enjoying it!
DeleteI am unfortunately on the opposite end of the late bloomer spectrum...I got my period a month before I turned 12 (gah!) but the good news is, I am not even 50 and totally in menopause now, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite period story: My youngest daughter (who never listens to me) somehow misunderstood my birds & bees talk, and presumably her school human growth and development unit as well, and thought that periods were only 1 day long. She woke up the second day after starting her period sobbing because she was still bleeding, and I explained (again) that periods usually last 3-5 days, and would happen monthly until she reached her late 40's or 50's. There are no words to describe the look of absolute horror and disbelief on her face...talk about being the bearer of some really bad news! :)
Nice to talk to you for a bit at the Longmont Turkey Trot yesterday. It is one of my favorite events of the year. Perfect weather and a nice flat course. Doubt I'll see you at any more triathlons as they are a bit too much for this old guy anymore.
ReplyDeleteHey Joe! Really nice to see you too. Hope you had a good race. It was perfect running weather! Hopefully we will cross paths again.
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