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Original poster

First half marathon and flipping period

32 replies

Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:40

Sorry for the TMI.

I'm doing my first half marathon on Sunday and today I've got my flipping period. I haven't had one for months so haven't worked out a system for a long run on a period. Before that I was doing shorter runs so it didn't matter. I'm not an experienced runner and I'm expecting the half marathon to take me around 3 hours, a lot longer by the time I get to and from start/finish. I'm not taking a bag (just an arm pouch) and don't have anyone going with me.

I'm worried about chaffing if I wear a pad due to having to wear it longer than usual. I worry that a tampon will start to feel uncomfortable or get too low. I don't have period pants and don't think I can guarantee them arriving on time, fitting perfectly and not rubbing.
My shorts are flipping light pink so worried about leaking.

Help!

OP posts:
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Gymbunny2025 · 07/09/2025 13:17

GloriaMonday · 07/09/2025 13:13

I wasn't telling you off. OP said "Thank you everyone. Appreciate the suggestions but I think I'll leave it there." on Wednesday.

I didn’t think you were 😂

GloriaMonday · 07/09/2025 13:13

I wasn't telling you off. OP said "Thank you everyone. Appreciate the suggestions but I think I'll leave it there." on Wednesday.

Gymbunny2025 · 07/09/2025 13:04

GloriaMonday · 07/09/2025 12:56

@Gymbunny2025 , OP's half-marathon race is today. She's probably somewhere near the finish line.

Ha ha hope she has done well! 6 posts this morning advising her what to wear 😂

GloriaMonday · 07/09/2025 12:56

@Gymbunny2025 , OP's half-marathon race is today. She's probably somewhere near the finish line.

Gymbunny2025 · 07/09/2025 12:34

I’d wear black leggings not shorts personally (but wouldn’t worry after d4). But after a long run once I’d bled through menstrual cup and pad without realising and got blood on the car seat. I really hate periods!!!

LovelySunnyDayToday · 07/09/2025 07:28

user2848502016 · 03/09/2025 19:06

Wuka “stretch” flexible fit period pants, my DDs have them and they are very stretchy so would fit a range of sizes. They do next day delivery too

Don’t buy wuka they are terrible! Modi bodi are much better quality!

FlappyFish · 07/09/2025 06:57

@Peptalk2025 I hope it goes well for you today. You’ve got this!!

Dancingdance · 07/09/2025 06:46

Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:53

My periods are all over the shop which is why I haven't had one in months. They can be heavy or light, long or short. It's a roulette.

Show quote history

Is this because you’ve lost too much weight and exercised too much? You need to be careful as it’s not healthy to lose your period in this way. Dark shorts and a tampon. Don’t wear the light pink shorts.

Ineffable23 · 07/09/2025 06:45

Good luck today OP! Hope it goes well for you.

mrssunshinexxx · 07/09/2025 06:42

Get some black Lycra shorts to go underneath and wear a pad x

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 07/09/2025 06:40

Honestly, I think you're overthinking because you're nervous. As a pp said, a large proportion of the women there will be on their periods too.

Agree with the dark shorts, just for peace of mind. And a spare tampon in your shorts pocket. Done.

Good luck with the race!

Trickedbyadoughnut · 04/09/2025 09:24

Could you find the exact same model of shorts in a darker colour? On next-day delivery maybe?

xsquared · 03/09/2025 23:39

Use a menstrual cup. You won't need to empty it during your race.

Original poster
Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 19:33

Thank you everyone. Appreciate the suggestions but I think I'll leave it there.

OP posts:
Sorejaws · 03/09/2025 19:29

Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 19:27

Did that make you feel better? I'm stressed out enough. This is the first time I've done anything like this. I've lost 6 stone to do this so finding new clothes at the last second isn't easy as nothing fits like it used to. Running isn't easy and I'm worried about even finishing let alone this.

Show quote history

Op your response to this pretty reasonable post is way over the top

Original poster
Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 19:27

ThejoyofNC · 03/09/2025 19:06

Surely by day 5 you won't be bleeding heavily?

Although I'm not sure what you want from this post as you've dismissed all suggestions

Did that make you feel better? I'm stressed out enough. This is the first time I've done anything like this. I've lost 6 stone to do this so finding new clothes at the last second isn't easy as nothing fits like it used to. Running isn't easy and I'm worried about even finishing let alone this.

OP posts:
Awishcometrue · 03/09/2025 19:14

Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:40

Sorry for the TMI.

I'm doing my first half marathon on Sunday and today I've got my flipping period. I haven't had one for months so haven't worked out a system for a long run on a period. Before that I was doing shorter runs so it didn't matter. I'm not an experienced runner and I'm expecting the half marathon to take me around 3 hours, a lot longer by the time I get to and from start/finish. I'm not taking a bag (just an arm pouch) and don't have anyone going with me.

I'm worried about chaffing if I wear a pad due to having to wear it longer than usual. I worry that a tampon will start to feel uncomfortable or get too low. I don't have period pants and don't think I can guarantee them arriving on time, fitting perfectly and not rubbing.
My shorts are flipping light pink so worried about leaking.

Help!

Always infinity pads are made of soft foam so might help against chafing

glastogal · 03/09/2025 19:10

Where did you get your shorts from? Do they come in another colour? Tampon is the way to go with a spare as someone said. A pad will chafe.

GloriaMonday · 03/09/2025 19:07

Order a black pair the same as the pink ones, on next day delivery.

ThejoyofNC · 03/09/2025 19:06

Surely by day 5 you won't be bleeding heavily?

Although I'm not sure what you want from this post as you've dismissed all suggestions

user2848502016 · 03/09/2025 19:06

Wuka “stretch” flexible fit period pants, my DDs have them and they are very stretchy so would fit a range of sizes. They do next day delivery too

WonderingWanda · 03/09/2025 19:02

Order some black cropped running leggings from amazon and some period knickersnor juat wear a pad. Double up with a super plus tampon and you will be fine.

Sorejaws · 03/09/2025 18:58

Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:51

They're the ones I know don't rub and fit perfectly.

Show quote history

oh come on. I’m sure you can find another pair that won’t leave you anxious that the “light pink” is now crimson.

whatonearthishappenin · 03/09/2025 18:57

I think you’re overthinking this. If you think about it… probably a quarter of the women running will also be on their period. Pop a tampon in and take a spare with you. They’ll be plenty of portaloos. Best of luck!

Original poster
Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:53

RunsWithDinosaurs · 03/09/2025 18:52

I’d wear a tampon with dark coloured shorts and put a spare in a plastic baggy in my pocket. I had my period while doing a weekend long challenge many years ago and while not ideal it wasn’t the end of the world. I lost a few minutes on my marathon ducking into a portaloo but I ran faster than everyone not running a marathon that day! Slap a bunch of Vaseline/body glide around your knicker line to avoid chafing and hope for the best. Surely if it’s started today you’ll be at the tail end by Sunday anyway?

My periods are all over the shop which is why I haven't had one in months. They can be heavy or light, long or short. It's a roulette.

OP posts: