Has anyone who wears Tena pads to run ever negotiated a Sprint triathlon??

[runningLou]

Weird and slightly embarrassing question ... I need to wear big pads to run as have zero pelvic floor control since DC. If I don't have a pad I am utterly flooded after 2 strides, especially if I've tried to keep hydrated.
I run a lot and also cycle and swim and would love to try a Sprint triathlon. But is this unrealistic? I just can't work out how it would work with all the changes of clothes and transitions etc!!
Would I end up leaking everywhere while on bike/running??

[yearofthehorse]

I would think about this very carefully. I was in a similar position but loved running so much that I carried on. Unfortunately, zero pelvic floor control also means that your internal organs have very little support and I have ended up with a prolapse - no more running for me. I would suggest that you spend a lot of time working on your pelvic floor before seriously considering this. I hate to be a killjoy but I wish someone had told me.

[runningLou]

Thank you for the warning yearofthehorse I am having physio and I have a rubber support thing (similar to a mooncup but a different shape!!) that I wear when running to support the bladder neck and avoid prolapse, which the physio gave me.
I don't have any issues when cycling but as you say running is so high impact ... how old were you when you experienced the prolapse?

[snowgirl1]

Generally, you don't change clothes in a triathlon. You wear either a tri suit or separate tri short and tri top. You then swim/bike/run in the same outfit. This reduces the time you spend in transition, as transition time counts towards your race time. The tri suit/tri shorts have light padding (less than cycling shorts, so you don't end up cycling/running with a wet sponge between your legs) in them to make the comfortable for the bike, so that might act as a tena pad! When you come out of the swim and go onto the bike, you'll be wet from the swim so no-one will really notice if you're 'leaking everywhere'.

However, I'd agree with yearofthehorse, that you should probably do something about your pelvic floor if you can.

[runningLou]

snowgirl1 thank you for that description that's really helpful. I am trying to take action on my pelvic floor as I said - physio etc.
The other option is surgery but I'm reluctant to go down that route as recovery can be long and difficult and I still have young DC.
On a daily basis I don't have any problems walking around and so on, it's running which is the killer.
The women's health physio I am seeing has said though that overall exercise is more beneficial to health than giving up to protect the pelvic floor so I'm not sure what's best ... maybe I should just stick to cycling and swimming?

[yearofthehorse]

I was 49 runningLou. I'm delighted at how sensible you are being but just bear in mind that your pelvic floor tone is also likely to deteriorate after menopause so you really need to look after it. I wish I liked cycling and swimming - they really don't appeal to me but they are certainly much gentler on the pelvic floor.