LADIES-How do you deal with TOM for marathons?

[GirTheGecko]

For the WDW half, I just started and did double protection. I also fell down some icey concrete steps right before, so anything between my collar bone and knees was NOT HAPPY. It wasn't fair. To deal with the battered bruised hip from the fall, cramps, tenders twins, and bloating for that.

I definately recommend having a belt or something to carry something extra just in case.

 

[chimera]

Unfortunately once you hit 40 the calender doesn't work anymore.It just shows up! And once that happens there is no regularity at all.

I hate surprises!

Linda

Aw man, don't say that! I just turned 40...and went through a whole round of freakish ultrasounds 'cuz things got weird. I narrowly escaped a biopsy!

As for the event, I'm one of those weird people that don't run better during the optimum hormonal phase. My legs usually feel like lead during that week...hard to even move.

Like Cecilia said, take a race belt or shorts with pockets for supplies. If it's a half or a full, don't take ibuprofen before the race or a day or two after for cramps...can potentially mess with your kidneys.

 

[SamSam]

Oh, my....since I didn't start running till after that part of my life, all I can say is Thank Goodness for early menopause!

 

[princessrunner]

I agree that only Dave would venture into a thread with a title like this one...

I have a Mirena which is a low estrogen emitting IUD. It has essentially cleared up that issue although I still hit the hormone surges that normally come with it. I think if I remember reading correctly that there is a way to "load" on BCP to stop your TOM from coming and then you can stop them again without doing any major damage.

While I agree that the week of is a defininte winner for running, I also agree that the week before is a downer. I get lots of water weight gain and a general fatigue feeling. This has gotten worse after 40 for sure. It is also a hit or miss thing after 40 also to be sure.

Who said that we could grow old gracefully? Did they forget all this fun stuff too????

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

Can't speak to the full marathon, but I have done 4 half marathons in my relatively short racing career and wouldn't you know that for EVERY SINGLE ONE it was that TOM

Just once I want race a half without carrying "supplies", having cramps or feeling bloated I am over 40 and my cycle has gone out of whack as an earlier poster mentioned. Keep your fingers crossed - my next half is Oct 19 and things could fall "wrong" AGAIN!!! Sigh....

I do use a race pack since it takes me about 3 hours to complete the half - I take Pamprin the night before a race, but never the day of the race. Race day I take tylenol for cramping and know where every portapotty is along the route.

As I always tell my sister and niece - Two men wrote "I Enjoy Being a Girl"

 

[friendofgusgus]

You really only have two options.

1. Major surgery
2. Birth Control methods. I know that you can take the pill for several months in a row and "skip" and I think that there are other methods that stop it, but....

Maybe not with a good doc!

I had "minor surgery" - no stiches - in December for the same reasons and it really wasn't too awful - I was back to work in 4 days. The procedure is called an endometrial ablation and it scars the walls of the uterus so that it can no longer grow the lining to any real depth. Sounds awful, but it wasn't nearly as difficult as any kind of "removal" procedure would be.

One caveat, though: you must be through having children as this procedure will make it almost impossible for an embryo to implant.

The doctor - who was a specialist in heavy TOMs - also gave me the option of the Mirena IUC that another poster mentioned, but since I have not had children I thought it was not the best choice for me. It is removable, though, so it might be a better option is you still want to add to your family.

Running days I do double up and use quite a bit of bodyglide to avoid any chafing from the "extra layers" of protection.

 

[wtpclc]

lol. I just changed when I took my pills after a full, Minnie, a half adn a tri were illl-timed for me. I don't know of anything other than the pill, but may look into what friendofgusgus just posted. Good luck! You have my sympathy.

 

[escape]

I have nothing of value to add to this thread. But I do have to comment on the comment about turning 40, regular TOM, etc.

What is really fun is turning 50, not having a TOM for 6 months and then BAM! It hits on the night before you are doing your first marathon at WDW (with 100% humidity). Not fun. I just took extra protection in my belt. Unfortunately, this took up space that would normally be used for extra gels or other marathon essentials.

I ended up doing better than I thought I would during the race. Maybe the TOM did help me somewhat. However, I got a little sick after I finished. For about 10 minutes. Severe stomach cramping. Other than that, and the blisters on the bottom of my feet, I felt fine.

I know - nothing of value here. Just wanted to share my story. The pills are looking better at this point. At my age, though, I'm not sure I'd benefit from them.