13. How to Master Your Menstrual Cycle with Scientist and Elite Marathoner Jess Piasecki

The Endure Stronger Podcast

This week on the Endure Stronger podcast, we interview Jess Piasecki.

Jess recently ran 2.25.28 at the Florence Marathon, making her the fastest British female in 2019, and the third fastest UK female of all time. Jess is also a five-time European medallist and was the European U23 XC champion in 2012 and the second fastest female parkrunner.

Jess is also a lecturer in Exercise Physiology at Nottingham Trent University and specialises in bone health in female athletes. Jess’ particular expertise focuses on how nutrition and menstrual cycles influence bone mass, and how this can affect women’s training.

Jess is a rare athlete - and not only because she has overcome significant injury and setback to achieve phenomenal success in her running.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Jess took an elite title home with her first marathon finish in Florence in 2019
• How she did so by training predominantly on a Wattbike after tearing her calf before the race (!)
• Jess’ expert tips for race nutrition for long distance running from both her studies and winning at an elite level
• How Jess has overcome significant injury problems stemming from difficulties with RED-S to achieve her success
• What RED-S (formerly known as the female athlete triad) is, and how women are particularly vulnerable
• The role of oestrogen in women’s running and how understanding your menstrual cycles is mission critical to training success.

Jess is extensively educated in physiology and women’s training, and a true expert in her field who walks the walk.

If you’re a female athlete or coach women especially, this one is not to be missed.

Links

• Read Jess’ research at https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=_un1EYsAAAAJ
• Follow Jess on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jesscoulson90
• Follow Jess on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jess_piasecki_runscience/
• Check out Jess’ coaching website at: https://www.runscience.co.uk/
• Track your cycle and training on the FitrWoman app: www.fitrwoman.com
• Read Roar by Dr. Stacy Sims: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AC5JFR6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1