I went through early menopause a few years ago (I'm not yet 40). I'm curious about the above-mentioned podcast. I've found my pace is completely dependent on training and diet. My fastest times have always been when I am training hard both running and lifting. My slowest seem to be when I'm just casually running and casually lifting. I've pretty much always had some level of lifting in my routines so I can't comment on what my pace would be just focusing on running. I've also found any alcohol up to two days later can have an impact on my pace even though I never had a hangover or anything.

Start listening to the podcast, Hit Play: not Pause" targets women athletes and fitness buffs in menopause.

Yes ... don't lose heart. You can definitely hold on to some speed with weight training. You can also mix up your runs. Do a couple of intentionall slow/easy runs per week. Use one day for "speedwork" -- whatever that looks like for you. You could do fartleks, short quarter-mile speed intervals, or one of my favorites ... run along to a high-tempo playlist and just let the music carry you.

If you do races, challenge yourself do place a little higher each time in your 50s age group. Or challenge yourself to slice off 5 seconds per mile from the last race you did.

Hang in there!

I also haven't hit menopause, I'm 52 but I do find that I'm slower and sloggier the week before my period - hormone drop maybe? Like I can't get up and go.

Strength training seems to be good for everything!!!

I'm not in menopause yet, but should be because I'm 55. My pace/endurance really improved after receiving iron infusions for anemia. I love seeing and hearing about other female runners in this fun phase of life.

A good place to talk about this is in the Hit Play Not Pause fb group. Also a great podcast!

Any other runners who have gone through menopause seen a significant increase in running pace? I haven’t changed a thing and am now so slow. I have read the best thing to do is strength train.