Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
MJ122025 · 03/09/2025 18:53

If today is day 1 then Sunday is day 5 so you should be nearly done. Tampon and black pants/shorts. Stick a spare tampon in your pocket/race pack.

You'll be fine, honestly. 🙂

Original poster
Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:52

mollio · 03/09/2025 18:49

Go into primark and buy the heavy flow period pants , wear a lillets ultra tampon and wear black shorts - should be ok for the 3 hours especially since it’s not until Sunday 🤞🤞

I don't have a Primark anywhere near me. I live rurally and work full time so wouldn't have time to go anywhere. I could order online but then I wouldn't be sure if they'd fit.

OP posts:
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?

Original poster
Peptalk2025 · 03/09/2025 18:51

Sorejaws · 03/09/2025 18:46

You don’t have to wear a pair of light pink shorts OP

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

OP posts:
mollio · 03/09/2025 18:49

Go into primark and buy the heavy flow period pants , wear a lillets ultra tampon and wear black shorts - should be ok for the 3 hours especially since it’s not until Sunday 🤞🤞

GloriaMonday · 03/09/2025 18:47

Wear a tampon and hope for the best. if you leak, you leak.
Runners often have to pee behind a bush, some men get bleeding nipples etc. If you have darker shorts wear those.
Good luck!

Sorejaws · 03/09/2025 18:46

You don’t have to wear a pair of light pink shorts OP