We have a special show for you this week, we talk all things periods in “Blood, Sweat and Gears.” It’s a really good listen whether you are a female athlete, a coach or you have a significant female in your life. We hear why it’s so important to have a regular period (it isn’t just about having babies), what it’s like to deal with your period on race day and how it can go very wrong if you don’t have a period. We’ll also tell you about an excellent app which will help athletes and coaches.

SHOW NOTES

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to “Blood Sweat and Gears.” It’s not always easy to open up to a complete stranger, especially when it’s such a personal subject. But we know this will help others, so Jess Piasecki, Nikki Bartlett, Meredith Kessler and Georgie Bruinvels, please give yourself a big pat on the back! If you want to show your own thanks to any of these fabulous ladies, then you can find out more about them and their various projects:

Dr Georgie Bruinvels

Georgie is an elite endurance athlete as well as being a Sports and Exercise Physiologist and Research Scientist at Orreco. She has helped to develop the FitrWoman™ app. This app is a MUST for all female athletes to track your cycle and get personalised nutritional and training suggestions. https://www.fitrwoman.com/

Dr Jess Piasecki

Jess is a GB runner and lecturer in Exercsie physiology. She first represented Great Britain as a junior and went on to become English 10,000m and British half marathon champion. She has written a number of excellent articles about female athletes on her website https://www.runscience.co.uk/

Meredith Kessler

Meredith is an American multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Champion. She has completed 60 full-distance Ironman races! She is also a new mum to MAK and along with her husband Aaron, has written the brilliant Life of a Triathlete.

Nikki Bartlett

Nikki is a former rower who came up through the age group triathlon ranks before she turned Pro in 2015. Nikki has multiple podium finishes across Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races. https://www.nikkibartlett.com/

If you haven’t read Helen’s blog about periods which kicked this whole idea off, then check it out.

And a final thanks to the team at http://www.freesfx.co.uk for providing some funky beats for the introduction!

Show Sponsors:

https://www.precisionhydration.com/ - Leaders in triathlete sweat testing and hydration, with multi-strength electrolytes that match how you sweat. You can get 20% off your order during August with the code OXYGEN20

THREO - High performance apparel for active women, which is designed to fit and flatter your body. You can get £10 off any order over £40 AND a free swim cap with all orders at WWW.THREO.CO.UK Use the code OXYGEN10 before the 30th September 2018.

FoodCell: The next generation of nutritional carriers. Designed to allow endurance triathletes and cyclists to carry enough food and gels, while allowing easy access. Get 20% off with the code Oxygen20 - code valid until 9th September 2018 - ideal for Ironman Wales! Check it out at https://flowcell.co.uk

https://team.oxygenaddict.com : Join Team Oxygenaddict - Training plans for all triathlon distance - supported with coaching advice from Coach Rob!

http://www.fuelledbycake.com : Helen's charity cake recipe book, with contributions from people like Chrissie Wellington, Emma Pooley and Heather Fell. Only £10, and all proceeds go to charity!

Our Patrons : Support the show with a monthly or one off donation - thanks so much for your support!

If you liked what you heard in Blood Sweat and Gears, then why not go back and listen to some of our other podcasts? While you’re there, don’t forget to leave us a review on itunes.

Listen on ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/cup-tri-triathlon-podcast/id951501034?mt=2

Listen on Android: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cup-of-tri-triathlon-podcast