Every woman is different, but I have been a runner for almost 37 years
(since age 10
), since before starting my period; I have raced at all points of my cycle and have never noticed a tendency to have muscle cramps or any serious physical issues connected to my period during a run or tri. At most, maybe more than the usual pre-race nausea
(usually have a bit due to nerves but worse if compounded by PMS
) or minor period cramps--not back spasms and nothing that would make me slow down or need to stop. I don't think having one's period affects ligaments--believe that is during pregnancy and for some months after giving birth, due to hormone changes that loosen them somewhat in preparation for childbirth. Could be wrong though--no medical background here!
Best guess for the back spasms--some combo of cold water on the swim
(if it was cold
); muscular tension and fatigue from pushing the swim too hard or anxiety
(or combo thereof
), uncomfortable position on the bike and/or pushing the bike pace too hard for your fitness. The one time I've had back spasms in a race, it had nothing to do with my period. It started with cold water, a leaky wetsuit, and anxiety about it completely failing and filling with water, which caused me to push the pace REALLY hard--my fastest HIM split by almost 4 minutes at the time! It was cool and rainy in transition, I was shivering and had trouble getting my wetsuit off. The minute I got on the bike, my position
(which had been fine for several months
) felt awkward, and my back and even stomach muscles hurt. It didn't resolve until I finally warmed up about halfway through the bike leg. I was fine on the run, but my back tightened up again for a few days after the race, especially getting out of bed in the morning or after sitting for a while.
I rarely train or compete in conditions like that
(50's for most of race, windy with some rain
) so I think I just wasn't used to it. I'm also quite thin and sensitive to cold. In training, it has always been cold water that triggers back spasms for me. They do seem a bit more common around the time I start my cycle, but I think it's connected to increased sensitivity to cold at that time, not a change in ligaments.
Also possible
(if it was warm
) that you got dehydrated or electrolytes out of whack. My coach shared some info with her athletes a while back that mentioned women's cycles can affect their heat tolerance and hydration needs, but don't recall specifics. I haven't really noticed it with my body, though, although I spend much of the year training in pretty extreme heat and humidity.
Edited by Hot Runner 2016-05-29 4:44 AM