Moving with the seasons of my cycle
For most of my life, I didn’t have a period at all. In my early teenage years, I had a very irregular, excruciating painful period. The gynaecologist recommended to insert a hormone coil to help ease the pain. It was so bad that I couldn’t go to school and only laid in a foetus position in bed. The hormone coil worked in terms that I didn’t have any pain at all anymore and it also resulted in me not having any period for 22 years.
After 22 years without, my cycle returned last year, after having been working on my holistic healing journey through therapy, nutrition, and exercise. And yes, I removed the hormone coil about 2 years ago. What’s really interesting is that my cycle naturally synced with the moon phases. What surprised me most was how deeply I began to experience the rhythm of each phase — not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I’ve been learning so much about myself and my body. It’s been a fascinating journey.
I now see my cycle like the seasons in nature: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each phase comes with its own energy, challenges, and lessons. By recognising them, I can align my food, training, and self-care so I flow with my body rather than against it.
Here’s how I experience each season — and what helps me manage it.
Follicular Phase – My Spring
How I feel:
As winter ends, the heaviness lifts. My discomfort disappears, energy slowly returns, and I feel more optimistic and motivated again. My appetite normalises.
How I manage it:
I gradually increase training volume as my body feels stronger.
This is the time I let myself plan bigger runs and more intense sessions.
Food-wise, I return to a more balanced rhythm — I don’t feel extreme cravings, so I simply focus on eating nourishing, fresh meals.
Ovulation – My Summer
How I feel:
This is my peak. Strong, energised, confident in my body. I feel outward, social, and full of vitality.
How I manage it:
I plan the highest volume of training in this week: my longest runs, harder intervals, or more challenging strength sessions.
My meals are nourishing and supportive of recovery — lots of whole foods, colourful vegetables, and balanced proteins.
I make the most of this season because I know it won’t last forever.
Luteal Phase – My Autumn
How I feel:
This is the hardest phase for me. My energy dips, my body feels heavy, and my confidence drops. The self-critical voice gets loud — thoughts about not being good enough, not looking the way I want, or not being taken seriously. Physically, I feel very bloated, like there’s a rope tied around my belly being pulled from both ends. I become more emotional and sensitive.
How I manage it:
Mind: I journal a lot — reframing and challenging negative thoughts. I remind myself it’s just a phase, not the truth.
Body: A warm water bottle on my belly eases the bloated, uncomfortable feeling. I shift to strength sessions and low-intensity running, which feels gentler and more supportive. Loose clothes help me feel more comfortable.
Fuel: I crave heavier, grounding foods. I often eat red meat, warm soups, and filling meals. Cacao becomes part of my ritual, both for comfort and connection.
Menstruation – My Winter
How I feel:
This is when I need to be most careful. My energy is at its lowest, my emotions feel raw, and my body asks for rest, more kindness and gentleness towards myself.
How I manage it:
Mind & Body: I plan a deload week. Instead of pushing hard, I walk more, stretch, and let myself rest.
Fuel: I crave red meat, warm meals, and chocolate. Drinking pure, organic cacao (without sugar or additives) is a ritual I cherish. If my bleed is very heavy, I supplement with iron to support my body.
I treat winter as a reminder to retreat, restore, and nurture myself.
Why I train with the seasons
By honouring the rhythm of my cycle, I no longer fight against my body. My training plan isn’t a rigid schedule — it breathes with me. I push harder in summer, build steadily in spring, adapt in autumn, and rest in winter.
This approach has transformed not only my performance but also my relationship with myself. I’m not failing when I can’t hit the same pace every week — I’m simply listening to the season I’m in.
Final note
Every woman experiences her cycle differently. Some have pain, some don’t. Some feel strong in autumn, others find it difficult. This is only my experience. What makes my coaching different is that I don’t just hand over a rigid training plan — I create a living, breathing rhythm that adapts with you. For women with regular cycles, I align training with the natural rise and fall of energy across the month. And for those who don’t have a predictable rhythm — which is far more common than many realise — this holistic approach becomes even more important. Together we can manage training, recovery, nutrition, and mindset in a way that supports your whole life, not just your running.
If this resonates, I’d love to explore how this might work for you. Get in touch for a free consultation call, and let’s see how we can build a plan that truly fits your rhythm.
My holistic 1:1 run coaching blends movement, mindset, and nutrition — helping you understand your body, fuel it with intention, and move with freedom. We’ll build a rhythm that supports your physical health and mental wellbeing, so you can thrive both on the trails and beyond them. Train with intention. Move with freedom. Run with heart.