Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Let's Talk Boobs

Everyone likes boobs... everyone but ME on a long run.  (Fellas, you have no idea how lucky you are to run shirtless in summer.)

Ever since my long run reached the 16-18-20 digits, I've had major problems around the chest and back.  My long runs end with chaffing, or sweat rash, even sores, around my rib cage.

Chaffing results from friction between the skin and your clothing fabric.  There are three main causes when it comes to the sports bra arena... (source)

1.  Wearing a size too big.  If the band of the sports bra around your rib cage is too loose, it moves on the run.  This friction causes the red rash.  Over great lengths of time (like 4 hour long run!?), the rash can result in an abrasion of the skin.  When you do trunk twists, the band of the sports bra should not move left to right with you.  If it does, you need a smaller band size.  I'm still wearing the same sports bras from 40 lbs ago, so this is probably part of my problem.
Abrasions on my back from last weekend's long run.
Sorry guys, no front views!  :)

2. Trapped Moisture.  The insane heat of this summer is not helping the booby cause either.  After just a couple miles, my clothes are soaked to the bone.  One rule of thumb here... COTTON is the enemy.  Certain fabrics (like cotton) trap moisture, rather than pulling the sweat away from your skin.  That's why many runners also trade underwear for spandex when they run.  Ever have sweat rash on your panty line?  Painful!  You should always wear a sports bra made out of wicking fabric to encourage quick evaporation of your sweat.  My bras are all wicking material, but this crazy summer humidity is pooling sweat faster than it can evaporate.  I'm thinking my only solution is to change halfway through the long run?
SportShield has completely
solved my underarm chaffing
 issues of the past.

3.  Sensitive Skin.  If your sports bra is snug-fitting and moisture-wicking and you're still battling chaffing... you may just have sensitive skin.  You can try the cheap version of petroleum jelly... smear it on your impact spots before the run.  However, petroleum jelly does break down fabrication faster than the advanced, more expensive, products like 2Toms SportShield or BodyGlide.  I've had skin issues all my life, so pretty certain my sensitive skin just adds to the dilemma.  I'm like a tri-fecta here!

Under Armour has been my go-to brand for sports bras, with other $20 versions from Target thrown in the mix.  What is your favorite brand of sport bra??  Please share!  I need to try out some alternatives.

PS. If you ever do get bad chaffing, quick healing is essential!  Try a diaper rash cream.   I had some leftover from the baby days, and was delighted at how wonderful it worked in clearing up the sweat rash.

25 comments:

  1. Right now I have one bra and its Enell and I love it. I just bought a Moving Comfort Fiona, but I can't give you a review yet as it hasn't arrived in the mail. I have been known to mumble to myself "put your shirt on" when I see a guy running without a shirt...I think its jealousy! LOL

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  2. Under Armour all the way. Any other bra I've had has caused rashes. Thank goodness for the outlet 10 mins. away from home!

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  3. I wear Under Armour too! Mine is a criss-cross back version with a front zip and I love it. I want to try Enell but I haven't ponied up the $$ yet!

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  4. I am a 34D and have three Moving Comfort Fiona and one Moving Comfort Juno- i love both so much and at mile 5 i get no chafings at all. I live in Austin, TX and the heat is very extreme! I use Bodyglide every time i go out for run even 2 miles. I used to have Champion Powerbras and they did not do a good job- bouncing a little and that hurts so i use them anytime like off running days or low impact activities. Moving Comfort is the only way to go for me. Highly recommended for any D cups ladies. :o)

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  5. That's funny you post this today. During my plyo workout this morning, I was thinking I really need a new sports bra!

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  6. I really like Champion Brand. I use the ones you can buy at Target for $16 when I am doing cross training. And got fitted in a Champion store for their cupped Sports Bra...originally paid $48 for them, but have found some deals at the Champion Outlet store and got for for as little as $24.

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  7. Ugh, I hate having boobs when I'm running too! I used to get the C9 ones from Target but I've switched to liking the regular Champion ones that are similar (not sold at Target - yes, they are different...more compression, in my opinion). I've tried on others like the Moving Comfort ones with the padding, but I don't feel like they keep the girls under control as much...

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  8. I've been running in my UA compression bra for a year and a half.. I've never had issues with it! I also have a Moving Comfort one that I got a couple months ago. They are both amazing (and I'm a DD)!

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  9. I would add this tip to the list... wearing a moisture wicking bra that is old can also lead to chaffing. Been there, done that and have the scars to prove it!

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  10. I wear Danskin from Walmart sports bras and love 'em! No problems with chafing for me and they have some cushioning which means no headlights poking through. An unintended plus is that the cushioning also soaks up more sweat!

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  11. I mostly have either C9 (the thinner-strap ones from Target) or regular Champion. Both have served me well. But then again, I'm only a 34B (and my options seem to be either so-compressed-I-don't-have-a-chest or next-to-no-support).

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  12. Little A cup boobs here so I could basically go without a bra running. well, almost. I have many Nike ones. I love the tank top ones so I can just wear the one piece.

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  13. For non-chafing, I agree with Jessica: the Champion brand bras at Target work wonders. But in the swamp summer heat, I still love/need my Body Glide!

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  14. I have been on a hunt for the perfect sports bra as well. My current favorite is the Moving Comfort Fiona, although I wish it had more padding to cover up the headlights, if you know what I mean, ahem... Anyway, I really like the fabric of this bra and that it is quite soft on the skin. So many sports bras have tough seams! I also just bought a Nike Women's U Back which is quite similar to the Moving Comfort bra with more padding, however, the seams are quite stiff. Perhaps they will soften up with a couple washings.

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  15. I'm a small girl as well. I am happier each time I use my tank with built in bra.

    My UnderArmour have been my favourite sports bras for a while. I don't have any problems along the band, but lately I will get that almost skin abrasion, dots of red just under the skin that become tiny scabs, at the V in the front! The "for a while" may be what is starting to be wrong with them.

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  16. I also get chafing at the cleavage line (the V in the front)! I have never heard of anyone getting chafed there before. I sweat buckets and I've tried using deoderant on the spots and vaseline on top, wearing bandaids (just ended up chafing along the edges of the bandaids), wearing 2 bras at once...nothing helps!

    I just ordered the Moving Comfort Fiona so hopefully it will help!

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  17. My nikes are best, but I still get chafage, especially when I run in the rain. One time I had blood on my t-shirt because the top of my sports bra was chaffing me so much.

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  18. Not that I want to wear a bikini... but my scarring on the front (between my boobs) is so big/dark that I stay covered. I have dealt with this for almost two decades (god gave me big boobs and the love for running).

    Having just training for an ultra I can give you the miracle solution if you tend to chaf in one area over and over (or once you have chafing). Neosporin and Nexcare Absolute Waterproof pads. They stay on until you remove them (I would leave them on for 3-4 days, with no water penetration). Alas I was painfree and ran mileage with no issues.

    Let me know if you try this, I promise if works.

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  19. I think I have tried them all. I like the underarmour once I get the zipper up - but putting it on is like a bad u-tube video. I also like Moving Comfort Fiona - flattens you and is not good looking but holds things in. I like the LuluLemon TaTaTamers - especially when you find them on sale. I have had mixed luck with Champion - I have two I like and two that literally rubbed me so raw I have scars six months later.

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  20. Oh jess ouch! Yes, lube up with body glide or sport shield!! EVEryWHERE!

    I JUST got a moving comfort JUNO and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I high impact bra that makes me boobs look like boobs not cones!

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  21. I wear Nike and Under Armour, high performance-high support! They are expensive but they work for me...but I'm no super runner with 10 miles a day, but so far they are working great!! Good Luck finding what's right for YOU!!!

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  22. I am a C-D cup (depending on the brand) and I love the under armour!

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  23. I wear Nike I love them. I dont have any chafing in the top areas. BUT if I dont wear my under armour compression short OH BOY I carry my weight in my thighs and they rub together when I run so I wear my compression short along with my nike tempo short, than i'm good. GOOD Luck on try some of these suggestion.

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  24. I have always had a hard time finding a comfortable bra. Most of my bras are itchy, uncomfortable, heavy and bulky. Not this. I'm a 42C (just had a baby) and this really really makes me look and feel a lot smaller. It is the most comfortable bra I've ever owned

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  25. These are so cute apparels,I must say and you have done a great work for me.
    http://www.apparelnbags.com/champion/index.htm

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