Not My Problem #3 (yes, another giveaway!)

Did you read this post I wrote in November? What Your Mother Never Told You About Running Marathons

Was any part of it a bit much? If so, you might want to skip this one and wait for the next giveaway. Seriously.

Ok.



Still here?


You were warned!

Oh and if you are kind of grossed out by your own body and it's natural functions, you should skip this giveaway and wait for the next one. Ok?


Ok....


The post I mentioned is the most popular post on this blog. It exceeds the second most popular post by thousands of views. It was featured on BlogHer and I suspect that one particular topic grossed people out more than any of the others.

One detail I keep track of when I'm training for a race is my menstrual cycle. (Normally I barely track it.) I know I can't change anything about it (I am one of those anti-birth control people- don't judge- I ain't judging the pro-birth control folk- this is my body and my choice, holla, right?) but I like to be mentally prepared for amount of fluid that will be leaving my body whether I want it to or not. Especially if I am going to be running for more than 2 hours.

Where on earth could I keep extra tampons? How could I possibly stay focused on running when I'm continuously worried that I might drop these things or sweat so much that while they are in my pocket they... oh dear... I think you get the idea. And pads are out of the question. My underwear ends up drenched in sweat by mile 10. What do you suppose would happen if I were wearing a... never mind. Graphic detail is left to your imagination. Yikes. That's even too gross for me... Sorry.

But ya know what? It's not my problem.

In that post, there was a link to Instead Softcups. You're wondering what the heck that could be, right?

It's an alternative solution for period protection. It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a soft cup. And yes. It goes in there. Hey, it's likely that your mother or your grandmother used to shove a giant diaphragm in there, so this is not a totally foreign concept.

your mother's diapragm

Now before you go over thinking this, let me tell a few very significant facts:

You can leave this thing alone for twelve hours. Yes. Twelve hours.

This will not mess with your body's pH levels. So if you're prone to pH problems (like yeast infections) this may be a preventative solution for you.

There have been no reports of TSS (toxic shock syndrome) associated with Instead Softcups.

You may be able to wear it during intercourse. (From what I understand, this depends on the... ahem.... anatomy of your partner.)

There are many other reasons why Instead Softcups are superior to tampons and pads and you can read about them here.


I have been using these for about five years. Since this (much like the epilator I just gave away) is an unfamiliar concept, here are some of the conveniences that Instead Softcups have brought to my life:

I only need one during my entire work day. I am never afraid of any embarrassing... accidents...

I can run, swim, hang out, whatever and not even think about my period.

It seems to shorten the duration of my period. Really. I have occasionally used tampons in the last few years, and it seems as though I have more heavy flow days with tampons. (Probably because an over-saturated tampon turns into more of a cork- sorry, yeah I know.... Super gross...) With Instead Softcups, I only have one.

I have yet to run a full marathon during my period (thank goodness) but I did run a couple of half marathons and a ten miler. I was glad that I was not the person that left a tampon in the porta-john. Changing a tampon in a porta-john must be a bit of a stunt, come to think of it...

Some of the inconveniences of the Instead Softcup:

You need a few trials with these things before you master them. It took me a couple of cycles before I could get the placement right.

If you can't remember whether or not you uhhh... inserted one, it's a bit tricky to check. I'll let you finish that thought on your own.

These are not sold at every drug store. They can be a bit hard to find. So if you find yourself without any in your purse, you may have to resort to an impulse tampon purchase.

I have yet to find a way to conveniently change this thing in a public restroom.

And yes, changing/removing/emptying this thing can be a bit messy when you are first getting used to it.

So you guessed it. I think everyone should try this product. And so do the people who make Instead Softcups. So they gave me a few boxes (MASSIVE BOXES WITH 24 IN EACH) to give away. Uhhh.... Want one? You are curious. Even if you think this is kind of gross, admit it. You're curious. You kind of want to try them.

Here's how to win one: Tell me about one of the best days of your life. BUT don't use your wedding day or the birth of a child. Those are standard issue and a bit cliche. (yawn) Something else. Your seventh birthday? When you hit that home run? When you came out? Your first kiss? I'll pick a few winners.

Men are not excluded!(I will assume you are attempting to snag a box for your wife/girlfriend but if not, you must let us all know what on earth you intend to do with these)

I wonder if the responses will be light...