As a passionate runner, I often find inspiration in stories of women embarking on their first major races. These narratives typically revolve around themes like weight loss, battling illness, honoring loved ones, or advocating for meaningful causes. Recently, however, 26-year-old Tara Mitchell made headlines by running the London Marathon while on her period—without any menstrual products. GASP!
I’ve certainly participated in marathons during my menstrual cycle. Big deal, right? I embrace my womanhood and all its natural processes, but I don’t think it needs to be a grand statement. Sure, I had to plan ahead, stuffing tampons in my sports bra and mentally mapping out the nearest restrooms. But did I face a monumental challenge? Not really. The true hurdles were the months of training, where I had to remind myself that leaving my kids for a run was worth it for my mental health.
Then there’s Tara. Did I mention she ran the marathon without any feminine hygiene products? In her blog, she explained that she wanted to draw attention to period-shaming and the stigma surrounding menstruation. “I ran with blood running down my legs for those sisters who lack access to tampons and for those who suffer in silence,” she wrote. I can’t help but think of my grandmother, who grew up in a household of four sisters without the luxury of disposable products. She might ask, “Why wouldn’t you use something that could make your life easier? Isn’t that what progress is about?”
It’s interesting how feminism can be interpreted in various ways. We strive for equality, and many women have fought hard for it, yet here we have a woman asserting that periods are something we must “overcome.” For me, it’s not about overcoming anything—it’s simply a part of life that I manage. It doesn’t oppress me or make me feel inferior; it merely means I might crave some comfort food and cozy pants.
As a mother of four boys, I feel fortunate that I can somewhat sidestep the discussion about periods, but I haven’t hidden the reality from them. Yes, I have a period, their future wives will too, and it doesn’t mean we’re incapacitated or ashamed. If I had a daughter, I’d say, “Yes, it can be annoying, but does it stop you? No. Do we need to broadcast it to the world? Definitely not. Is it gross? Sometimes, but thankfully we have solutions now. Is it unfair? Ask your dad about the joys of never feeling a baby kick in his belly. Next question?”
Tara also mentioned, “On the marathon course, sexism can be defeated.” Absolutely! We’ve seen this progress since Kathrine Switzer made her historic run in the 1967 Boston Marathon. Thousands of women have followed suit, and the number of female marathon finishers has steadily increased. In fact, a recent study from Denmark found that women maintain a more consistent pace than men during races. Boom!
I admire Tara’s commitment to raise awareness while tackling her marathon, but as a fellow female runner, I simply wish to be recognized as a runner, not defined by my biological processes. Everyone has their own challenges on the course, and I’d prefer not to add to the mess with my bodily fluids. Trust me, there’s already plenty of that on a marathon course!
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In summary, while I appreciate the effort to highlight women’s issues, I believe it’s essential to focus on the joy of running and the strides we’ve made as female athletes. Periods are a natural part of life, and while they may require some management, they shouldn’t overshadow our achievements.