First half marathon and flipping period

[Peptalk2025]

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!

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

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!

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 🤞🤞

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

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?

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.

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. 🙂

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.