Periodization for Performance: Should Endurance Athletes Adapt Their Training to Their Menstrual Cycle?

By Dr Emily Cartigny

“Day 1. Had period pain – did nothing.”

This is a genuine entry from my Bob Graham training diary. A great start. Instead of the 10k run that I had planned, I was pitched up on the sofa in a blanket cocoon, hugging a hot water bottle and probably extremely sullen. This was part of my monthly routine. A part of being a woman that I’d become accustomed to.

Working within the sports industry, articles, books, apps and podcasts started to pop up that encouraged me to adapt my training to the different phases of my menstrual cycle.

Even some of the athletes that I work with were discussing, “I’m not doing that type of training because I’m in phase X of my cycle”. As a researcher, I had to dive into the evidence myself. 

I’d attempted the Bob Graham the year before but pulled the attempt at Honister without enough time to complete the whole round in 24 hours. I began to wonder if periodizing (pun intended) training around my cycle could give me the edge in my second attempt.