I have a serious question for the ladies out there. Do you notice athletic performance changes that align to um...hormonal cycles?
More and more, I'm convinced that I'm pretty much useless a few days per month and wonder if I ought to simply modify my training plan around it. Take some extra rest or stretch or light weight or easy swimming days or something.
Suggestions? Or am I just imagining this whole thing?
Recent workouts
Sun: 1200 yd easy swim
Mon: 4 mile easy run
Tues: core+speedwork at track (4.7 mi total)
Man.....you guys got it rough!!!
ReplyDeleteNice job on the workouts.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an answer to your question but I suffer from the same issue. Sometimes I am able to workout through it and it is ok, other times I can't get through a workout. I have been walking and it seems like a good way to get throught those days of not feeling up to a real workout.
Since I am a man, cant really comment, but if you find it to be the case, your best bet may be to schedule your recovery week for those less productive weeks
ReplyDeleteYou're not imagining it. I always have a few days of the month that are a bitch to deal with, but if I can chalk it up to PMS, then I feel okay about it. It's when the lethargy has no hormonal reason that I feel like poo about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm like Jess (apparantly) - David can tell by my nasty attitude towards him when it's coming. And I loose a lot of energy during that time as well.
ReplyDeleteI am extraordinarily bitchy in some cycles (not in others which is totally random and weird) and during those times I find the workouts help me to feel better.
ReplyDeleteDon't really notice differences in performance though, but I've never really thought about it either.
It's a fine line sometimes whether to train around something or push through. Maybe you should experiment to see what works best for you, taking into account what races are coming up and the relative importance of each workout.
I'm not sure if my performance changes during that time, but I feel different for sure...just heavier and ploopy.
ReplyDeleteWeird, but when PMS-ing, I get so much more competitive! It's like a whole different me. I kind of like it. My marathon this weekend will fall either on my "competitive" day or a "ploopy" day. I'm waiting to see, and hoping for the first ;-)
Oh, and If I feel bloated and crappy, I just bag my workout and call it recovery time.
Hi ladies. I'm just lurking creepily on this one.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I feel sluggish during that specific time. I just tend to have an "easy" week that week.
ReplyDeleteYes there has been some research into it, in fact someone set me a summary of what type of training its best to do at different points in the cycle. If you want a copy let me hae your email.
ReplyDeleteI'm there this week. It stinks, I'm TOTALLY with you. The feeling of lethargy can be overwhelming for me. I always do my workouts but I drag butt B.A.D.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this...you are not alone! I always find my workouts are sluggish and I just feel plain yucky around that time.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a mega-b during that time... I just can't help it! I do feel slow, fat and my legs usually feel pretty heavy. Sometimes I can crash through it and sometimes I just crash... never a pattern.
ReplyDeleteI do have some issues, but they are mostly mental. Usually, except the first day of my cycle, if I can get out there, the run usually goes fine. Sometimes, I have to figure out which is better for my mental health - to run or not to run. Usually it's to run. Today, not so much. I've been a PMS witch this week and I had two awesome runs, go figure...
ReplyDeleteLisa, you are spot on. I'll send you an email. I wrote a summary of a book I've got here called "Hormones and female athletic performance". It's the one Trio is referring to. You can also go to my post called Sex and the city from 22nd June for more info.
ReplyDeletehttp://competitivecycling.blogspot.com/2008/06/sex-and-city.html
You are definitely not imagining it, i just try to run through it if i can!!!
ReplyDeleteM
I feel weak and tired 'around that time' - usually the week before. I do tend to reorganise things around it. Why make things even harder for myself?
ReplyDeleteI always feel yuk too - tired and lethargic. Running is usually hard work as I feel heavy and bloated. I just work through it as it just is what it is. Just means I don't do very fast training as such.
ReplyDeleteI will point out though, that when I decided to do Ironman I worked out when my monthly would be so it wouldn't be at a disruptive time. Ironman and hormones were just not going to happen. If on the contraceptive pill you can play with it to change when "it' happens - not recommended for all the time, but if you have something HUGE, then worth the adjustment I reckon. Just gotta plan in advance.
FO SHO!!! You are not alone!!
ReplyDeleteYes!! I always get wonky in my workout performance at that time, more plodding, more mentally out of it, just more blah. The degree changes throughout though. Day before starting is the worst, interestingly enough.
ReplyDeleteAs to what to do about it, I'm at a loss too. I always waver between just dealing with it and running, and taking an easier week. I don't know!
Did you get my email? I'm not sure if it bounced back or got through.
ReplyDeleteBTW: There are also other days were you are lot stronger or can deal with pain a lot better or just can go forever cause the hormones help ... :-)
I think there is a lot of truth to this. It seems like it effects everyone, so it must be common and normal. Every big race I ever did I had to deal with that. I don't have that excuse any more! (why are these guys commenting??)
ReplyDeleteHey - yes concur with all those before me in this reply. Around about the start completely lethargic and usually require 2hours extra sleep (ie the alarm clock doesn't even wake me - at least that's my excuse for not getting up). Have also read and do believe a week before concentration levels lapse (definitely effected my hockey when I used to play competitively - at least it seemed to), have also read you become more injury prone during some stage of the cycle (again about a week before) which I am inclined to agree with. Probably covered in the book mentioned.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bugger isn't it!! I am consciously aware of the issues so basically don't give myself a hard time training wise if I skip things!
I'm with Vickie, no longer an issue, BUT when it was, I just wanted to lay down and die, so you are not imagining anything.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the day....I just took it easy with a hot water bottle and tylenol!!!
My theory is the hormones affect your emotions, and emotions affect performance; also, losing a lot of fluid I would assume means losing a lot of electrolytes? No MD, just guessing. OGot two words for you: Endometrial. Ablation.
ReplyDeleteI find that while it doesn't affect my training every single month - when it does hit me, it's a lot to work through. I'd love to figure out some strategies to train through it 'cause I'm not great at that!
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