I had hot flashes at in opportune times for years before things really got frustrating. At first I just ignored that it was happening, but since I kept getting hot flashes while running, I accepted the fact that this was something I was going to have to get used to, at least for awhile.
I don’t remember exactly when the first running hot flash happened but I know I would get them when I was working out doing strength training, particularly doing plank, push ups and down-dog. It seems that these positions impact blood flow to my head and make my face flush. It doesn’t happen every time I do these exercises, so I do them regularly and just hope that I won’t have to battle extra heat in addition to the exercise itself. But then, surprise, they started happending during races!!!
I distinctly remember last summer’s cross country series. It was hot out, but not too brutal, and it was toward the end of the series so I was working hard to improve my time over the previous race. Things were going well, I pushed through the back hills and came flying down the last hill toward the finish line when it hit. I had about a half mile left, all flat, and I had my goal time in my reach, I just had to focus and push through that last little stretch. The team’s coach was stationed at the last turn before the finsh, calling out times so I knew I was on target, but my entire head was burning hot, almost pulsing with heat. I was pushing and struggling and there was the coach yelling encouragement and I yelled back at him “hot flash!”
Now I love Coach Ken. He’s helped my running career tremendously, but there’s one thing that he will never understand and that is women going through menopause. When I yelled hot flash at him, in despiration, he just laughed at me… I’m not sure he actually heard what I was saying and in hind sight, how would he know how to respond to that? But it was then that I felt most alone in my struggle. I didn’t know anyone else who was experiencing what I was, or at least I didn’t think I did. None of my friends were talking about hot flashes or menopause and it’s not something most women just bring up, for some reason. Well, I’m hoping to change that because everyone goes though it! There’s no reason not to share and even if it just makes us feel less alone, it will help to get it out.
What is your most embarassing hot flash experience? Please share, let us laugh with you!
Ok, babe, lets talk hot flashes. I was in IKEA the other day, in a completely enclosed areas, no windows for miles around, and my mind flashed back to a few years earlier when that sort of scenario might send me into the most massive hot flash, one of those am-about-to-faint-on-the-floor-right-here, right-now sort of moment.
Then – guess what? I did NOT have a hot flash.
I continued to walk through the store and I felt GRRRRREAT to realize that I am out of that chapter of my life and happily on the far side. It all gets better, hot-flashers!
Meanwhile, fasten your seat belts for a crazy ride. I’ll give you guys a little tip – I am SOOO much happier on the far side of my woman’s story than I was on the wild and crazy hormonal side before Menopause Moment. We lead exciting lives on the inside, ladies. God only knows what’s going on inside us at any given moment. Thank God He does, because our husbands have no idea. Keep talking, Susman, you’re making me laugh….
I can’t wait to be on the other side!!! It’s been so long that I’ve endured these hot flashes and moodiness and I’m so ready to be done with it! Thanks for the “other side” perspective my friend!