Social media users are applauding a triathlete who shared a photo from a recent race, in which she bled through her bodysuit while on her period.
Emma Pallant-Browne, a 34-year-old British multisport champion, was competing in the PTO European Open triathlon in Ibiza, Spain, on May 19 when a photographer took a picture of her running in a pink and blue swimsuit with a small blood stain.
The photo first went viral earlier this month after it was posted on Instagram by the Professional Triathletes Organization and received comments from a user stating that it would've been better "cropped".
Pallant-Browne responded: "Thanks for caring but definitely something I'm not shy to talk about because it's the reality of females in sport," and shared that sometimes her heaviest period day falls on race days - which last for over three hours.
"So just as someone might get gut issues in a race I have to suck it up and give what I have and not be afraid to talk to women who have the same problem," she added.
Pallant-Browne took to her social media last week to share the viral image with a lengthy caption expressing her gratitude to her peers for reaching out to her to praise the photo.
The triathlete - who placed fourth in the Open - said: "Humbled by the amount of messages I’ve had from both men and women (I am going to give menstrual cups another go) about the unglamorous reality of racing on your period. This is a true female sport and the more barriers we can break through the better."
She explained why she wore a swimsuit for this race, revealing that while she usually "overheats and passes out in hot races," being on her period also makes her body temperature higher.
"I have a full-length suit for the cooler races in dark colors but the light colors we were experimenting with for the cooling effect," she continued, acknowledging that she didn't trim the picture because: "the idea to edit [the picture] means there is something wrong with it."
"If you wrote to me saying 99% of the women you know would be mortified at this then that is exactly why I am sharing this because there really is nothing wrong," Pallant-Brown wrote.
"So if you have a photo like this, save it, cherish it, remember how you performed on a tough day because one day you might just be able to help someone else," she added.
In the comments of her post, many fellow athletes and fans celebrated Pallant-Browne’s message. One person wrote: "So powerful! Every young girl and boy should see this image. An athlete racing no matter what, that’s the point of this photo."
Another user penned: "Bravo! The way you have handled this situation deserves the highest praise. The days of shame associated with a perfectly normal body function should be long gone. I salute you, and thank you."
Olympian Steph Twell commented: "My gal! So proud of you continuing to be you Em! Fearlessly fantastically female xox," while Fellow triathlete Skye Moench added: "Love this! I love having a period as it represents what we as women are capable of. And it’s a sign that our bodies are strong and fully functioning!!"
Pallant-Browne concluded her post by opening up about her menstrual cycle throughout her childhood. She then voiced her appreciation for her period and the viral picture.
"It’s natural and coming from eating issues as an endurance runner when I was growing up where I didn’t have my period, I now see it as beautiful," the athlete wrote.
"So if you have a photo like this, save it, cherish it, remember how you performed on a tough day because one day you might just be able to help someone else with it," she added.
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