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Workout Wednesday: The Chafe Is Real

Remember when Katie 2 ran the half marathon? In our effort to bring you real advice from real women, Katie 2 wanted to take some time to give you some #truth. Ready?

Running sucks. There- I said it. I don't care how many songs you listen to, or how many great views you see, or how you get a runner's high when you're done. (I call BS on the runner's high thing, BTW. But that rant is for another day.) Running is tedious. And it makes your toe nails gross. And it hurts. Besides the aching legs, your back hurts, your feet hurt. Oh. And the chafing. (Katie 1 disagrees that running sucks. She finds it relaxing and a good way to clear her head. But she agrees about the toe nails and chafing. That shit is real.) (Katie 2 would like to point out that the above statement from Katie 1 is why she wasn't allowed to write the post on running a half marathon, because she's not normal.)

Back in the day, I used to run. I got up there in the mileage, and I never had any real issues. This time around, I started noticing that around mile 5, and most definitely by mile 6, clothes that I once found amazingly comfortable were rubbing me in all the wrong ways (pun intended). I would come home with sore spots on the inside of my arms, on my boobs, and the underside of my butt (hey, we told you there would be #truth). Some searches online told me that it was normal, but there wasn't much in terms of how to prevent it or how to treat it once you got it. Katie 1 wants to add that under-butt chafing is the most painful of all the chafing.

So today, I want to give you a little guidance that will hopefully help you avoid chafe, and treat it when you (inevitably, if you're running distances) get it.

Prevention

  1. The right clothes. I know a lot of people turn to running when trying to get in shape because it's free. I hate to break it to you folks, but running doesn't  come cheap. Especially as you get into long distances. You have to get the right shoes (OHHH the shin splints!), the right bottoms, the right tops... you get the idea. I found that short sleeved tops caused the most amount of under-arm issues. Stick with the tank tops.
  2. Undergarments. I used to go into stores and roll my eyes at the sport-specific underwear. I have been converted. I no longer run distances in whatever undies I wore that day. Personally, I fell in love with the Namaste Put briefs (thank you Katie 1!!). [Note: You know you have a good friend when you can talk to them about your butt chafing in the work elevator.] Another thing? Be careful with your sports bras. For years, I found the most supportive bras to be front closure, particularly zip closure. NOPE! I have scabs on both my sternum and the inside of both boobs as proof that what is comfortable for a studio class is not your friend when you're sweating like a pig approaching the 15k mark.
  3. Body glide. (No, not Astro Glide.) Katie 1 talked about Body Glide a while back as a way to combat chafing in the summer months when wearing a dress or skirt. But that's an off-label use (a la Dr. Terry Dubrow). Body Glide was made to use as a balm on your skin to prevent  chafing. Just roll it on like deodorant to any spot that rubs and your skin will thank you.
Treatment
No numbered sections here. I can, without a doubt, say that the most effective way to treat runner's chafe is with Aquaphor. I talked about my love for it here and I stand firm. It immediately took away the pain, healed my skin overnight, and actually made the skin stronger. 
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