LADIES-How do you deal with TOM for marathons?

[momof2minnies]

Just wondering if anyone has had to deal with this. Just thinking ahead.MD said the pill would work for that but never was on it and don't really want to be now. Any other secrets???????

TIA, Linda

 

[DianeL]

As long as that isn't code for something totally different.... bodyglide and vaseline. I had some miserible long training days leading up to this years Marathon. For the actual races I've lucked out somehow.

I have to admit I was tempted for this year's race and it is in the back of my head for 2010. I figure for a 1/2 I'll suck it up and just be cranky but for a Marathon, well we all know Mile 20 is bad enough on it's own so I might have to have a word with my Dr if it looks like things are going to go rotten a few months out.

Oh and compression shorts and a skirt. Started wearing those this summer and also felt happier course I was still on the shorter training days of like 6 miles or so.

Good luck with your training and may TOM have enough sense to not show up for your races

BTW, great idea. I don't know if we've ever really had a discussion regarding TOM and I have to say this is one discussion that will probably send the guys running sreaming HA! That will teach them for tempting us to look at thread with the wording 'clothing optional'

 

[momof2minnies]

Thanks Diane but I was talking more about how "NOT" to have it at that time- ANEMIA and all.Since my 2nd DD it has been pretty bad.Need to not have it at all.

Linda

 

[amykab]

Seriously, thanks for bringing this up!!. I hadn't even thought about it in regards to a race. *off to look at a calendar*

 

[momof2minnies]

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

 

[jbucci]

The pill is the only thing I know of that would work and you'd have to start it 3 months before the race to be sure... I'm seriously considering doing this myself and things aren't looking to promising for the marathon in Jan by my quick calender looking...

 

[momof2minnies]

I have an appt 10/09 just did not want to go that route but I probably will have to

Linda

 

[Villains_Rock]

It has been proven that you actually run faster with less effort when you are on your TOM. The week before is when it's tough for me. I have a half marathon on Saturday and it's a week out exactly...ugh.

Just make sure you "change" right before the race starts and carry something in your pack (just in case)!

 

[CarolA]

Thanks Diane but I was talking more about how "NOT" to have it at that time- ANEMIA and all.Since my 2nd DD it has been pretty bad.Need to not have it at all.

Linda

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....

 

[bunnyfoo]

I use the pill and try to "adjust" when I know I have a race (or vacation) coming up.

Eva - Interesting TOM fact ... I didn't know that.

 

[curiouser]

It has been proven that you actually run faster with less effort when you are on your TOM. The week before is when it's tough for me. I have a half marathon on Saturday and it's a week out exactly...ugh.

Just make sure you "change" right before the race starts and carry something in your pack (just in case)!

Actually this is slightly off... you run farther but not faster due to the luteal (TOM) phase of your cycle. The estrogen that appears during your TOM switches your body to use fat-stores to burn fuel. Since fat burns slower than carbohydrates you aren't going to get the quick burst of energy like you would the first week of your cycle when estrogen levels are low and you body uses carbohydrates to fuel your run.

As for the OP, I've heard of women using double methods (tampon and pad) to keep from any accidents during marathon running. And knowing the above information about running longer, you might not want to get rid of it!

 

[windwalker]

Word of caution here for the guys.

TOM = Totally Ogre Mad. When your princess gets in this stage of ticked off you must be very carefull, someone is gonna get shredded.

When she is no longer standing still but hopping up and down like a little bird this is your clue that the discussion phase is over and the begging for forgiveness phase is necessary or the shredding is about to begin.

Should you beg for mercy, and offer the proper I'm sorry presents there is a chance that you can come through this with out receiving a blistering.

You can return to your regularly scheduled discussion now.

Slinking off Panda

 

[TnTsParty]

It has been proven that you actually run faster with less effort when you are on your TOM. The week before is when it's tough for me. I have a half marathon on Saturday and it's a week out exactly...ugh.

Just make sure you "change" right before the race starts and carry something in your pack (just in case)!

Its the week before that is tough for me as well - it seems I can't get enough to breathe and my lungs hurt when I go out running that week.

 

[CarolA]

Word of caution here for the guys.

TOM = Totally Ogre Mad. When your princess gets in this stage of ticked off you must be very carefull, someone is gonna get shredded.

When she is no longer standing still but hopping up and down like a little bird this is your clue that the discussion phase is over and the begging for forgiveness phase is necessary or the shredding is about to begin.

Should you beg for mercy, and offer the proper I'm sorry presents there is a chance that you can come through this with out receiving a blistering.

You can return to your regularly scheduled discussion now.

Slinking off Panda

Chocolate is always good!

 

[Kira G.]

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

Boy, is this ever true! I have less time in between, and they seem to have gotten worse. I've had cramps recently for the first time in ages - it's like the some of the bad parts of being a teenager all over again.

Wow - I'd never thought of this, but I'm running halfs so I'm not overly concerned. It would stink to wake up to this the morning of, that's for sure!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

As long as that isn't code for something totally different.... bodyglide and vaseline. I had some miserible long training days leading up to this years Marathon. For the actual races I've lucked out somehow.

Okay... I have to ask... what do bodyglide and vaseline have to do with it?!

 

[dsnyfan21]

I also use the pill and can adjust it for races for I don't have it.

I did have it one time for a half marathon and just was able to use a "plug" and just needed that one. I actually got my best time ever in the half marathon, so go figure??

Tracy

 

[Magix]

I'm just doing the 5K, but did already figure that it would be TOM for me. Going to do the pill back-to-back next month to adjust so it's the week prior.

Really, the pill is the only way I know of to have that kind of control over when TOM occurs.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Panda - only you would be brave enough to post on this thread!! I agree with Carol - choclate choclate choclate. Dh keeps a hidden stash of hersey's kisses for just such emergencies.

I also agree that after 40 it is just a big ole guessing game. Unfortunately, your body has also learned how to predict when the worst possible time for such things would be and it plots against you.

Having done many a long run thus hindered, I would advise that you:

1. Train with a belt so that if you need to carry supplies, you are at least comfortable with the belt.
2. Learn the locations of all the WDW bathrooms on the course. There are several and they are much nicer than the portapotties.
3. Do NOT follow Jen from GA's example. I saw her at mile 30 of Goofy and although she was still smiling, she would probably not have described it as a "time of my life" moment.
4. Don't panic. It is not the worst thing that could happen. Worse would be if it didn't show at all. (see above)
5. Even if it shows up in the middle of the marathon, the medic tents will be able to help you out.
6. Many a runner I know has said that they have gotten a PB during TOM. Who cares why, we will take any postives we can get.

 

[jbucci]

not to be overly graphic, but during the DL half I used a pad and around the edges of that thing is not a spot you want chafing to occur , lets just say I was none too happy for a few days