Hormonal Insights for Female Runners with Sara Laharnar In this lively episode of the Women's Running Collective podcast, hosts Hayley and Jussie broach topics on tapering before the Sydney marathon and dealing with the nuances of their running schedules. They share their experiences from the past week, tackling subjects from the importance of tapering to complaints about TV shows. The duo dives into an enlightening conversation with Sara Lana, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, who sheds light on how hormones influence female runners' training and health. Lana discusses the impact of the menstrual cycle on running, the importance of protein intake, and offers practical advice for women exercising through various phases of their cycle, postpartum, or during perimenopause. The episode melds practical health advice with personal anecdotes, ensuring an engaging and informative listen for female runners of all levels. 00:00 Welcome to the Women's Running Collective 00:28 Reflecting on the Running Week 02:00 Introducing Sara Lana: Hormones and Health 04:38 Understanding the Menstrual Cycle and Training 10:59 The Importance of Warmth and Nourishment 14:28 Common Injuries and Hormonal Impact 21:56 Stress and Its Impact on Women's Health 22:36 Brain Fog and Nervous System Burnout 23:58 Acupuncture for Running Injuries 25:37 Exercise During Perimenopause and Menopause 26:58 Postpartum Exercise Tips 29:05 Exercising While Pregnant 32:08 Managing Your Menstrual Cycle During Races 34:23 Final Thoughts and Recommendations