Liz (Pilates for Runners) It went really well! Fortunately, I had the learning curve last year and have the clothes for the weather... I was quite bundled up! My the t-shirt on the outside helped, too... (I guess there was a reason I ordered one that was too large 🙃)

The only mistake I made: Stretch directly after my run instead of walking home first. I got cold doing that - but the walk home warmed me up again... My favorite 5K route is along an urban park that is in walking distance from my home. I use that walk as warm-up and cool down (or warm up again...).

I am bundling up to run the (virtual) Point of Pride 5K today to raise funds for trans* people's health care needs. It's only 4°C outside, so the t-shirt might not display as well... Also, I'll warm up with one of your pre-run videos, Liz (Pilates for Runners) .  https://www.pointofpride.org/5k

That is so funny! Thanks for sharing, Jo!

Liz (Pilates for Runners) ALL of the people I mentioned above have told stories like this... It's utterly ridiculous - given that about half the planet goes through this tradition - how little we know and talk about it!

Glad HRT helped you! It seems that many doctors haven't learned that peri-menopause to last years...

I had heart palpitations for a couple years. There were several nights when I almost went to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack. I had a couple of long-term EKGs (a Holter monitor where you have wires and boxes tied to you for a weekend or longer...).  I finally went to the one (!) NAMS-certified doctor in San Francisco, she adjusted my thyroid meds - and voila... Well, okay, she also explained how all of this was connected. (NAMS = North American Menopause Society, which, actually, is also a great resource: https://www.menopause.org/).

Liz (Pilates for Runners) I hope you don't mind me sharing this! I found going through peri-menopause very lonely, so I want to share resources I discovered since... I know this isn't specifically Pilates related, though all are at least for active/athletic women*...

Nicola Sibley: Yes! Totally! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

I ran at the sexy pace of 09:09 for a total of 45:45 🐢! No, not making that up 🤣. The times really are that funky... And during the 5K, I fielded a call from my Mom (I am an informal carer of my parents, so I take their calls as it could be an emergency). I was able to set a boundary (it wasn't an emergency) and called her back after I was done. It took me a good kilometer to get back into my running groove to finish off my first 60 minute run after bruising my knee in June... So success all around 🥳 I know it's neither a marathon nor a 50K, I am still proud of it! (Hats off to you who've done those! Right now, I cannot even imagine let alone run those 🙃)

And then! A couple hours later, I had an awesome Wunder Chair class at Pilates Cologne.

Yes! I love the whole concept 🙃 Although I hope to get a bit faster again as my body adjusts, it has helped me stick to a slow pace while doing heart rate training... 🐢

Liz (Pilates for Runners) Thank you, Liz! The weather here in Cologne is perfect - overcast and 15°C! I've eyed the weather in San Francisco CA (where I used to live and where one of the group Pride 5Ks takes place) - not quite as nice at 19°C...