How menstruation works
Coach or athlete, the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle — as well as the very first days of the ovulation phase — are an ideal period for training. Especially during the second week of the cycle, where coaches have observed a rise in performance.
Week 1
In the first week of this phase — also called the ‘early follicular’ or ‘low hormone’ phase — the progesterone hormone is low; whereas, estrogen levels slowly increase.
Week 2
During the second week, until day 16 — approximately, in the middle of the ovulation period — estrogens are rising exponentially; in contrast to progesterone, that stays low.
All in all, this is the best period for a woman to increase their endurance training load, and give it their best!
Week 3
The luteal phase is the high-hormone phase of the menstrual cycle; where both estrogen and progesterone levels increase.
In this phase, the body is not primed for high-intensity training. Also, the body mass may be higher — due to fluid retention; and that will negatively affect the performance, as well as the economy of movement — or running economy.
Using menstruation-based features
Step 1: Go to your profile page
Step 2: Select the day your menstrual cycle started
NOTE: You must select the day your menstrual cycle started, as it occurs, for each month of your training plan
Step 3: Inform your coach (optional)
If you wish, you can opt to inform your coach — if you have one — of your menstrual cycle, to give them the opportunity to work your training plan around any pertinent difficulties. To so just tick the “Available to coach”
NOTE: Color lines will represented on your calendar, depending on the hormonal alteration
Understanding the color coding for your menstrual cycle on your calendar
Day 1 - 7 :
Normal training (grayed female sign & checkmark)
Day 7-15:
You can schedule high intensity and high load training sessions (grayed female sign & double checkmark)
Day 16 - 23:
We suggest low intensity and low volume training (red female sign & exclamation mark)
Day 24- 28:
Normal training (grayed female sign & checkmark)