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Running a Marathon While Experiencing Menstruation Doesn’t Define Female Runners
As a runner, I always feel uplifted when I come across inspiring stories about women, regardless of their age, taking on their first big race. These narratives typically highlight achievements like weight loss, overcoming health challenges, or running in support of someone battling an illness. Then there’s 26-year-old Maya Chen, who completed the London Marathon while on her period. Yes, she ran the entire race while her body was shedding uterine lining. Shocking, right?
I’ve run a marathon while menstruating too. Big deal. I’m a woman, hear me roar and let it flow. It’s a natural part of life, and honestly, it doesn’t require a spotlight. Sure, it involved a bit of race day planning, like stashing tampons in my sports bra and knowing where the medical tents and porta-potties were. But did I overcome a monumental obstacle? Not really. The only significant challenge I faced was the months of training beforehand, constantly reminding myself to not feel guilty for stepping away from my kids for a sanity-saving run.
But back to Maya. Did I mention she chose to run the marathon while bleeding freely? That’s right—no feminine hygiene products in sight. She shared on her blog that her decision to go without a tampon was meant to highlight the stigma surrounding menstruation and the language we use about women’s cycles. “I ran with blood dripping down my legs for those who can’t access tampons and for those who hide their pain and discomfort. I ran to say, it exists, and we push through it daily.”
I often wonder what my grandmother, who grew up in a household with four sisters and no disposable pads, would think of this. She’d probably ask, “Why on earth would you not use a product that I would have loved to have?” Isn’t that the essence of progress?
I frequently find myself puzzled by the diverse interpretations of feminism among women. We strive for equality and advocate for it. Women before us fought tirelessly for our rights, yet here is a woman proclaiming that periods are something we have to conquer. I don’t see it that way. I manage it, sure, but overcome it? Not at all. It doesn’t oppress or shame me; it just makes me crave fries, a nap, and comfy pants. I’m proud of my body and the natural processes it undergoes. And as a mom of four sons, I’m kind of relieved I don’t have to delve deeply into discussions about periods. But I haven’t shied away from telling them that yes, I have a period, and yes, their future partners will too. It doesn’t mean we become bedridden or ashamed. If I had a daughter, I’d say, “Yes, it’s annoying. Does it stop you? No. Does the world need a status update on it? Nope. Is it gross? Sometimes. But thankfully, we have products for that now. Is it unfair? Well, ask your dad how unfair it is that he will never feel a baby kick in his belly. Next.”
Maya also stated, “On the marathon course, sexism can be beaten.” Absolutely. It can, and it has. Since Kathrine Switzer jumped into the 1967 Boston Marathon, countless women have followed suit. The number of female marathon finishers has steadily increased, with women making up 57% of all finishers in 2013. A recent Danish study even showed that women run a marathon at a more controlled and consistent pace than men, especially towards the end. Pretty impressive, right?
As a fellow runner, I respect Maya’s intent to raise awareness about an important cause while completing her marathon. But honestly, when I’m on that course, I just want to be seen as a runner. Sure, I may deal with unique issues as a woman, but who doesn’t have their own battles to face? I want to be recognized as another runner, not as someone who is somehow limited by biological functions. And let’s be real—nobody wants to deal with my bodily fluids while running alongside me. There’s plenty of that on the marathon route already, trust me.
In summary, while Maya’s decision to run the marathon on her period aimed to raise awareness, as female runners, we just want to be seen as athletes, not defined by our biology. And it’s crucial to remember that periods don’t hinder us—they’re simply a part of who we are.