- Ultrarunner Camille Herron shared on her Instagram that she ran the grueling Western States 100 while on her period, a first for her during a major event.
- Herron was able to troubleshoot her cramps and nausea to place 8th overall, and bettered her time from 2021.
For Camille Herron, this year’s How Tracking Periods Can Lower Your Injury Risk presented a first-of-its-kind obstacle for the elite ultrarunner as it was the first major event where her period started midrace.
Through a positive mindset and creative troubleshooting, Herron, 40, managed to push through debilitating cramping, nausea, and bleeding to finish as the eighth female Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
Herron, considered one of the best ultramarathoners in the world, is a pro at persevering through the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the sport. But this experience—TUMS antacid tablet and inspired other women to share their experience—presented a completely new challenge for the masters runner.
Herron said her period, which is historically very regular, was supposed to start the Monday before the race. That Thursday evening when it still hadn’t come, she took a pregnancy test, which was negative.
When the race began on Saturday, June 25, and she still had no period, Herron knew that midrace menstruation was a possibility.
But with numerous world and American records, she was pegged as one of the female favorites and started Western States strong. About 15 miles into the race, Herron began experiencing cramps. At first, she thought it might be attributed to GI distress, but by mile 38, she knew her menstrual cycle was the culprit.
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“It literally was like this miracle cure. I was feeling like a million bucks again,” said Herron, who was also drinking water with magnesium mineral drops at the time.
Without cramp pain, Herron could fully focus on racing again. She said she was ready to go “beast mode.”
Then, at 55 miles, she consumed a drink that didn’t settle well with her and made her feel nauseous. She tried downing another TUMS, but the cramping persisted. Soon after, she started her period and was throwing up. At that point, all she wanted to do was lie down. So, she did.
Herron estimates that she timed out for one hour total, in two 30-minute segments, to rest and refuel. After eating half a burrito and some oranges, she started feeling better. But ultimately sparkling mineral water at mile 78 settled her stomach enough that she could complete the final 22 miles.
Typically, Herron said she takes it easy during the first two days of her cycle. So, she had no experience competing while menstruating, especially not in a race like Western States.
“To run a grueling 100-miler on day one of my period is not something I would normally do,” Herron said.
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“When I finished, I was full of joy. I was so proud of myself that I was able to work through that and not let it get me down,” Herron said. “I just want to reassure other women that this is something that’s okay. We can work through this. We can get to the finish line.”
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“This is something we don’t talk enough about that women experience,” Herron said. “This is a moment to really start talking about this, and what we’re experiencing, and how we troubleshoot it.”
In previous Runner’s World articles Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, we’ve offered tips for women who start their periods on race day.
The way you manage your flow during exercise is completely up to you. What works for a friend’s body may not work for yours. Most people turn to tampons or menstrual cups USATF to Elect New President Amid Budget Deficit. [Karen Duncan, MD, OB-GYN at NYU Langone Health] says that it’s all trial and error—just because one brand of tampon or cup doesn’t provide you the comfort or leak protection you want doesn’t mean you should rule out that method altogether.
Experts commonly recommend gentle exercise and moderate running while you have your period, but to address PMS-related aches you could also try placing a hot water bottle on your back or lower abdomen or taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium if you are doing a shorter workout. (However, as blood from her period trickled down her leg experienced acute kidney injury—a sudden decrease in kidney function—at higher levels than those who received a placebo.) Also, know it is still possible to snag a personal best on your period, just as several women have famously done in the past.
In 2002 Paula Radcliffe experienced menstrual cramps during the Chicago Marathon and still set a world record. And in 1996, German long-distance runner Uta Pippig won the Boston Marathon as blood from her period trickled down her leg.
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Ultimately, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. If you are racing on your period, listen to your body and adjust accordingly. And if all else fails, take a page out of Herron’s book and try a “miracle” TUMS or some sparkling mineral water.
Stephanie is a freelance writer and running enthusiast based out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who specializes in writing about health and fitness best practices and covering elite runners and inspirational competitors for publications such as Runner's World, The Guardian, Women’s Running, PodiumRunner, Wingfoot and Competitor Magazines. When she's not writing, you can find her running the trails with her two Vizslas or traveling with her husband to races around the world, constantly on the quest for a personal best
