As a dedicated runner, I often find inspiration in uplifting stories of women, whether young or old, as they embark on their first major races. These narratives frequently highlight themes like weight loss, overcoming health challenges, running in memory of loved ones battling illnesses, or advocating for important causes. Recently, a striking example emerged in the form of 26-year-old Maya Patel, who participated in the London Marathon while menstruating. She ran the entire race without using any menstrual products, a choice she made to draw attention to the stigma surrounding periods.
Having run a marathon while on my period, I can relate to the logistical considerations involved—strategically planning for necessary supplies and locating medical assistance along the route. However, I don’t view it as a monumental challenge. The true obstacle lies in the months of training, during which I often wrestled with feelings of guilt for taking time away from my children to run.
Maya’s choice to forgo menstrual products was a statement against period-shaming and the societal discourse surrounding menstrual health. She expressed her intent to raise awareness for women who lack access to sanitary products and those who endure discomfort in silence. “I ran with blood dripping down my legs for sisters who don’t have access to tampons,” she wrote, emphasizing the everyday struggles many women face.
This approach leads me to ponder how perspectives on feminism can vary considerably among women. We strive for equality and recognition, and yet, some individuals, like Maya, frame menstruation as a barrier to overcome. Personally, I don’t view my period as an obstacle. It’s a natural biological function that I manage, not something that oppresses or diminishes my worth. Instead, I embrace the uniqueness of having a female body and the potential it embodies.
As a mother of four sons, I feel fortunate to navigate the discourse surrounding menstruation without extensive detail. Nevertheless, I’ve been open about it, explaining to my sons that periods are a normal part of life for women and that they don’t equate to helplessness or shame. If I had a daughter, I would convey that while menstruation can be inconvenient, it shouldn’t hinder one’s ability to participate fully in life.
Maya stated, “On the marathon course, sexism can be beaten.” Indeed, strides toward equality have been made since Kathrine Switzer’s groundbreaking entry into the 1967 Boston Marathon, with increasing numbers of women participating in marathons over the years. A recent study from Denmark even indicated that women outperform men in maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race.
While I support Maya’s efforts to raise awareness in her own way, my primary desire as a female runner is to be recognized simply as a runner. Like everyone else on the course, I face my own challenges, but I wish to be seen beyond my biological functions. Furthermore, I believe that the marathon environment is not the appropriate arena for personal bodily fluids to be on display.
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In conclusion, while the conversation around menstruation and running is important, it’s equally vital to recognize the advances women have made in sports and to view them as athletes first and foremost.