Period on marathon day

CJ1

I am training for my first marathon and have just discovered that my period is due to arrive on the morning of the marathon. I get it regularly-same day each month. I usually suffer from cramps on the first morning and am wondering should i go to my GP to get the tablet to put it off coming. I have used this once before on my wedding day and it seemed to work without any side effects but feel a bit nervous doing it for marathon day. Maybe i should just take nurofen and hope for the best on the day.

I would appreciate any help.

RJC

Whether this is a medical advice request or not I know for sure that I have no answer to this one!

I would guess that you'll get advice from some of the women on this board.

Have you any experience from training?

Lemon

Hi CJ1,
I too am doing the marathon and worried about getting mine on the day, as it is due around that time. I can't offer you medical advice on whether or not to take that stuff to 'postpone' it but as someone who suffers dreadful cramps both on the days coming up to it but also on Day 1 (have endometriosis) I have always found that about 3 miles into a run the endorphins kick in and the pain just disappears.....I personally would bring some painkillers anyway..but I'd be bringing them mainly for any prospective leg pain later in the marathon!

Hope this helps and good luck with the marathon...

RacoonQueen

I always try to get in a long run on my heaviest day to prepare me for such an occurance. The running should help your cramps massively anyway surely? Hormones and all that.

equus

I would stay away from any drastic change (taking the pill etc.) coming up to the marathon. Research has shown that the pill can actually reduce your VO2 Max so I'd hope for the best that you don't get it on the day and bring Nurofen with you in case you do. as other posters have said the running will probably get rid of any pains you have (along with the adrenaline!)

CJ1

Thanks a mil for the replies. I will hopefully have more of an idea as this month i will train and see how i feel with the cramps. Up to this i tended to make the day they arrive my rest day!

hot to trot

I got mine the morning of my first marathon and once you get going it is fine. It is worse to have a long run a day or so before they come as the fluid retention makes you very crampy and feel ****ty.
If you have a heavy flow it might be worth your while to use a mooncup as you wont have any worries about leaks then. You still have time to try one this period and see how you find it.
Dont overhydrate the day before as you will already be retaining fluid and to have too much on board will make you uncomfortable.

paul radcliffe got hers the morning she broke the world marathon record as did Kristiansen years before so if its good enough for them...its good enough for us:p

How Strange

Not an ideal situation but I got mine on morning of 5 mile run and I did a PB. From my own experience, I suffer in terms of endurance just BEFORE I get mine so given a choice I'd rather get it on the morning than be just about to get it.