Yes. Thank you. It seems from all the posts that this is a common inconvenience for active women -- and quite the disappointment since we are often told that exercise helps with cramps.

Indeed when I go for a run about a week before my period begins, I too suffer about 2 miles in from debilitating pains. I can feel it begin to ache and think, "uh oh here is comes, better stop soon before I make it worse." Without fail, I have to roll down my running pants to remove ANY pressure from my abdomen and cannot so much as muster a hello to passersby ...YES the pain is THAT TERRIBLE.

I have tried to walk (crawl?) it off, but the best thing to do is to sit down and grit your teeth...

after about 10 minutes of what makes death feel like a desirable alternative, all pain will subside and you can continue on your run (even though you have promised yourself that you won't run for another 10 yrs. and also the heavenly bodies above that you will give up all vices should someone miraculously remove the pain).

I get very severe cramps (starting 4 or so yrs. into having a period -- where before I never even knew the feeling...sigh). I find that it helps to drink a glass of wine/have a beer (relaxes muscles), put your warm laptop on your abdomen (I know, it sounds silly, but all things silly are disregarded if you know the feeling of awful cramps), and if you should feel so obliged, have an ****** -- it is the cure all to hanfover headaches and cramps...I kid you not. ha.

Good luck finding tricks, as I know I will keep searching to cure the running pains!!!

I'm wondering how many of you have been on the pill. I went on and off it for a couple years because it gave me migraines. But, I never had this painful problem while running until I went on it. I'm just trying to find some kind of connection, though I've been off the pill for about a year now and still have it.

Has anyone found a solution, I would do anything to go running for more than a two week stretch at a time. It's horrible because I finally get in shape enough to start enjoying it and then that pain kicks in again and I'm off running just long enough to get back out of shape.

So frustrating. . .

If it embarrasses you, don't read it - the topic name is obvious enough to deter you if that is an issue for you. Men and women are different - deal with it.

and actually, John, I'm not going to disagree with the content of what you write, but the tone. I completely agree with you that I find it personally distasteful to read about certain subjects on public forums. I belong to a forum about long-distance backpacking, and there, too, there are frequently posts about menstrual issues, undergarments, birth control... there was once a very long thread where women were asked to indicate whether or not they wore underwear on hiking trips! All I could think of was, good grief, what if I ever ran into any of these folks in real life! There is such a thing as an overshare, and in my opinion, the underwear thread definitely qualified - but there were probably 30 posters who obviously disagreed with me.

One point on your comment... usually referring to folks as "you whatever" doesn't really do much except get their backs up and their ears shut to whatever else you may have to say of merit. It's also true that people can have very different standards for what they consider acceptable to discuss in "public." You and I may be throwbacks, who knows? What I do now on the backpacking board is just ignore all the posts that I can tell from the caption aren't going to meet my personal taste level, and also refrain from sharing information about myself that I consider overly revelatory. YMMV, but it might be a way to avoid getting unduly annoyed and just get to concentrate on the good information and discussions that are present on this board.

Jane in CT

Well, OS, Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all!

So late yesterday afternoon, one of my favorite running partners (my 12 yo daughter) and I headed out for a pre-holiday 9-miler. We are very fortunate to live within 1/2 mile of Long Island Sound, and one of our favorite courses runs out on a point and then right along the shore. Because of holiday preparations and other delays, we really left too late, but as we were running along the beach, we could see the dramatic cloud formations piling up out over the water and feel the rush of the salt air. Sand had blown in over the road during previous storm-augmented high tides, and sifted and shifted in the breeze. As we turned back in towards the "land side," the stiffening wind blew into our faces and we watched a spectacular red and purple sunset above the salt marshes. It bloomed and then died, leaving only a scarlet trace above the tree line.

We sped up as we ran home through the darkening and then dark streets. A last leaf-raker gave a typical New England "hem" as we passed by. The cozy lit windows of the houses glowed and looked so comfortable, like they always do when you're on the outside in the dark and damp. We finally brought it home and trudged up the driveway, knowing that tomorrow was Thanksgiving and feeling extraordinarily thankful for all we had been given, especially this wonderful chance to experience the world using our running feet.

To me, that's what it's really all about.

Jane in CT

At the risk of encouraging a group hug here, it strikes me that we could all be good freinds. Points made ...
stories told ... views shared and accepted ... all with proper respect.

Coming from a strong matriarchal family, these kinds of conversations have extended many a meal well into the bedtime hour ... for which I am grateful. Men and women, truly are different, and have different wants and needs. So different in fact that I am convinced the only thing that can hold us together is the grace of God, for which I am eternally grateful.

Happy Holidays!

John

My wife and I just started running together. I ran a lot when I was a little younger, but she doesn't have much history in it. We're starting out really slow, just trying to walk/run for a solid 15 minutes, 3 times a week. We made it through just over a week and she was doubled over after ten minutes. She's clutching her pelvic region and she dry heaved some bile up once we got home. She did have a small BM when she got home...anyway, I look forward to a long life with her, and don't want her to have to give up running because of these pains. But at the same time, I can't stand to see her in that much pain just to get some exercise. Let me know any suggestions that any of you have come across. She is going to talk to her doctor soon, but suggestions for what to tell the Doctor might help.

On a quick side note, John, I am not always comfortable with topics of feminine hygeine. I don't think anyone expects me to be. I do that the presence of these forums is beneficial to all though. Imagine if you had a daughter encountering these problems. How thankful would you be to be able to find wisdom of many women from around the world just through a quick google. Also, you're falling into a quick trap that many men like myself have fallen into. Don't stereotype, don't typecast. Don't compare the true pain of people to ***********. This isn't a dinner conversation, nor is it a newstand on the way to work. This is a place for people to get answers to questions and to enjoy the input of others.