Schedule races/menstruation

[Bluetree]

My coach has mapped out six, possibly seven, tris for 2007 (increasing in size and difficulty), the penultimate one being the massive Los Angeles Triathlon in September.
The LA Tri has a limit of 3000 competitors and sells out quite early – they are already taking registrations.

The only thing I worry about signing up so early, is I wonder if I can compete at all. The fee is non-refundable/non-transferable and expensive, and there's the slight chance that it'll happens on the 1 or 2 days a month I can't do it (or if an injury occurs).

Trying to map out my periods is not reliable, as I cycle (no pun intended) anywhere between 23 and 28 days. I have tried making my periods less erratic thorugh BC pills, but the side effects were too harsh.

My question to all you expereinced tri gals is... how do you handle it?

[spokewench]

Well Bluetree: I'm not a triathalete, but have raced mountain bikes, road bikes and cyclocross. I don't worry about when my menstrual cycles are; I race no matter what. Occasionally, I have had to race with cramps - absolutely no fun; but I have managed so far. If I don't have cramps, having my period does not seem to affect my performance.

[Bluetree]

I've never had a problem on the bike, it's the run part that concerns me the most, and not only because of cramping. For some reason, I get super dehydrated, no matter how much fluid I take in. I lose between 4-7 pounds of water weight (and gain it right back) in a span of 2 or 3 days. At <110 lbs, it's a significant weight crash. My OB-GYN doesn't seem to make much of it, but it's definitely a performance-downer.

[mimitabby]

gee, get a new Gynecologist, if i had periods that lasted 3 weeks, I would have gotten FIXED!

[KSH]

gee, get a new Gynecologist, if i had periods that lasted 3 weeks, I would have gotten FIXED!

Easier said than done.

I use to have a period most of the month. Sure, it's wasn't a full-on period, but I couldn't without a tampon 2-3 weeks out of each month.

I went to the gyno, had all the tests run... and everything checked out OK. Apparently, I'm just built that way. He said he could give me steriods to try to make it stop... but that sounded a bit too harsh... and he agreed.

So, I got on the depo shot. Now, I don't hardly ever have a period... maybe I get one once every 2 months.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, I read her as saying her CYCLE was between 23 and 28 days- not her period.

[mimitabby]

It is so nice NOT having one
That's the one thing about getting old that i do NOT regret

[spokewench]

I've never had a problem on the bike, it's the run part that concerns me the most, and not only because of cramping. For some reason, I get super dehydrated, no matter how much fluid I take in. I lose between 4-7 pounds of water weight (and gain it right back) in a span of 2 or 3 days. At <110 lbs, it's a significant weight crash. My OB-GYN doesn't seem to make much of it, but it's definitely a performance-downer.

You are a petite little thang! Well, it goes to show we are all different. That is a lot of weight to lose for you in water weight. I usually tend to hold onto water weight during my period? Have you ever tried using fluid replacement drinks? I wonder if that would help? Do you just drink water when you are doing a tri?

[Wahine]

I've never had a problem on the bike, it's the run part that concerns me the most, and not only because of cramping. For some reason, I get super dehydrated, no matter how much fluid I take in. I lose between 4-7 pounds of water weight (and gain it right back) in a span of 2 or 3 days. At <110 lbs, it's a significant weight crash. My OB-GYN doesn't seem to make much of it, but it's definitely a performance-downer.

Hey Bluetree,

I don't have a lot of personal experience with the water-weight gain and loss, but I do with cramping and irregular cycles. I had the wonderful opportunity to study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Canada with a physician who was a Western Medicine trained MD (and even a specialist) as well as a TCM Doctor. One of the wonderful things that I learned was how to eliminate my cramps and regulate my period with acupuncture. Acupuncture can also be very helpful for fluid regulation. TCM takes womens issues very seriously, especially these pesky problems that seem to mean nothing in the world of western medicine. I would seriously think about seeing a TCM doc. If you're afraid of needles, don't worry, there are lots of other ways they can treat including herbs, electrical stim and even acupressure.

[Bikingmomof3]

I honestly do not know. I actually gain water weight up to 10 pounds. Then goes away, of course. Nut for a few days I am miserable and nothing fits.

I suggest consulting another OB/GYN about the weight loss.

[Bluetree]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might just have to send my money in and gamble that the race lands on a good day. But jeez... $140 for a sprint tri!
(At least I'll get a $25 discount if I register by January)

Yeah, I might look for another OB-Gyn. I happen to like my doc a lot but she's postponed some of my previous checkups because of emergency baby-stuff that crops up. Perhaps I should start looking for a doc that has some experience with athletes. I'll ask around at the L.A. Tri Club.

[Offthegrid]

I was just going to suggest Seasonale or just taking a pill continuously so that you only get a period a few times a year, but I see you said the side effects were harsh. Might be worth another shot if you haven't tried recently.

[doc]

My coach has mapped out six, possibly seven, tris for 2007 (increasing in size and difficulty), the penultimate one being the massive Los Angeles Triathlon in September.
The LA Tri has a limit of 3000 competitors and sells out quite early – they are already taking registrations.

The only thing I worry about signing up so early, is I wonder if I can compete at all. The fee is non-refundable/non-transferable and expensive, and there's the slight chance that it'll happens on the 1 or 2 days a month I can't do it (or if an injury occurs).

Trying to map out my periods is not reliable, as I cycle (no pun intended) anywhere between 23 and 28 days. I have tried making my periods less erratic thorugh BC pills, but the side effects were too harsh.

My question to all you expereinced tri gals is... how do you handle it?

And of course you use the diva cup? obviously it is of no help with water loss, but it sure gets rid of all those tampon problems

[KSH]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might just have to send my money in and gamble that the race lands on a good day. But jeez... $140 for a sprint tri!
(At least I'll get a $25 discount if I register by January)

Yea, that is really expensive.

[crazybikinchic]

I went to a new doctor this year after 7 years with my gyno. It was a good thing. I think that some doctors get complacent when they have seen you for a long time. Sometimes, the new doctor is more thorough than someone you have seen a lot.