too much information (don't say that I didn't warn ya...)

[Jane]

I don't think I have written a blog post the night before a big race day before. However, writing tonight can be easily justified by a variety of coinciding factors: this being my first marathon; having to get up at 5 am; having just returned from 4 days away at a conference full of fried foods (and tons of water); and having just gotten my period. Yes, suprisingly enough, despite the number of races I have done over the past 2 years, I have never had to run a race during my period. So this will be a first for me in triplets: 42.2 kilometers; first time at the event; running for 42.2 in a for-me new event on the second day of my period.

I really cannot usually complain about my menstruation - I neither experience excrutiating pain nor extreme mood swings. Sure, I tend to collect impressive amounts of water within my cells, break out charmingly new ways and always look like I have used french fries to powder my face. I get the occasional aches and pains (like a little lower left back soreness this time around) and always a huge headache when I have to be in a long meeting, but in the greater scheme of things, it really isn't that bad.

Still, the logistics of running a first marathon is daunting (and daredevilish) in themselves without really have to be weighed down by additional surprise factors. Seriously, really?

I guess I will have to provide some additional information so I can explain what has been nagging at me: You see, I don't like wearing tampons (yes, I warned you!). Never had - it's not that there is anything wrong about it, but the few tries I had, this whole idea of shoving a white cotton thing (that looks a lot like a bullet) up my vagina only to have to retrieve it hours later as a bloody, gooey mess really did not appeal much to me. So even though wearing pads has its own special 'enjoyable factors', this method was the choice for me. Sure, I have considered using something more earth conscious, and I went with my friend to Grassroots, an environmental products store years ago to help her purchase a diva cup (look it up here if you want to know), but ultimately, using pads to pass my menstrual time was sufficient enough for me. And these days, I am a big supporter of pads with wings, to help prevent unnecessary extra suffering from unexpected leakage.

However, with a marathon comes a unique situation that usually only arrives from spending hours executing the same movements over and over. With sweat and the same friction, chafing invariably occurs, and as many have reported, often remain undetected until the cries of joy under the shower. I have previously made my acquaintances with chafing under my breasts and yes, also in the nether regions this way. The latter happened on one of the long runs with ... yes, a pad. So, I am quite nervous thinking about tomorrow's run, and in addition to wondering about the 'wall', the weather, the last 12 kilometers, I now also worry about extended chafing ... well, down there. I wonder how many women have wondered "will the blood run down my legs and on the ground if I run through the rain with my blood-soaked pads?" No, I was going to let it come to THAT.

Well, the good news is that it is not supposed to rain tomorrow. The bad news is that I have to now run with a pad and an extra pad, and vaseline smeared all over my 'chafe risky' areas. Add to that my involuntarily acquired knowledge that it tends to be easier to get injured or be in pain during the period, and I think I am ready as I can ever be for my first marathon.

At least I am getting more than 6 hours of sleep.

I hope.