Running through menopause

I am a champion of talking about the menopause because I knew very little about it before I started feeling wonky myself! I'm 49 now, and all the young women in my life know that I just come out with it, I just proudly tell the world I am peri-menopausal! Which I only found out when it happened, is what it is called when you are going through all the symptoms.

At this point I would like to say I am no medical expert, I am a woman going through the menopause so can only share my stories. We have a fabby GP in our group who I am sure could have furnished me with the details about menopause for you but that is not what this article is about. I want to share with you my running journey through the menopause. I have been running for 32 years, I am not a fast runner, I never have been but I have stubbornly stuck at it! Up to four years ago my times, weight, strength were all fairly consistent. And then something changed. My waist-line changed shape, my hips seemed to explode and now I have fabulously curvy hips that I never had before. I started to sweat. I know we all sweat but I was one of those lucky runners who no matter how hot I was I never got those horrible damp patches but now, I pack one of those flight sized deodorants into my backpack for long runs.

Now let’s talk about my pelvic floor (never thought I’d ever say that in public!) Having had two healthy big babies in my life my pelvic floor was never that great. I had an operation around 15 years ago (the horrible mesh implants but thankfully I have been okay) which solved the problem but now I am never without the wonderful Tena Lady and millions of pelvic floor exercises! No one really talks about the wonderful Tena lady but I tell you this, my Kielder Ultra was sponsored by Tena Lady (well it wasn’t really but it should have been, the amount of times I ducked behind a bush to change it – 50km is a long way).

I love being a jog leader, not least because I can offer to run at the back and make sure no one is left behind (some days I just need to dawdle along, another symptom, lethargy). The brain fog, another menopause symptom, does often mean I can’t remember runners’ names – so if I look blankly at you just please tell me your name, it will save a lot of time. However, the reason I love being a jog leader is I can show women of all ages that you can keep running through the menopause.

jogscotland has been running its I’m here campaign for mental health, and I would like to extend that to talking about the menopause. Put your hands up if you can relate to any of what I have said above, I reckon there are loads of you out there with your hands in the air. I think things are a lot better for women now, no longer is the word “menopause” whispered Miranda style, but I would like to keep

the conversation going. Menopause is just part of the hormonal journey a woman goes through from the early creation of hormones in the body. The Japanese apparently call the menopause the “second spring”, how gorgeous is that? So ladies, no matter what at age you enter the second spring (many go through early menopause) talk about it, demystify it. I also believe the men in our lives love us and want to support us through our menopause but they need to know what to do, they need to understand how they can help, so don’t keep it to yourself. Your children also need to understand why you might be crabby or emotional, try explaining to them. I find running really helps, it keeps your bones strong and helps you deal with stress. I find it definitely helps with the brain fog as my brain has time to switch off from the daily challenges life throws at you. The good news is the menopause ends, but meanwhile, keep buying new running shoes, fancy new gear, a decent running bra, an endless supply of Tena Lady and go join in the fun with your jogscotland buddies.