Something I left out of yesterday’s post was how painful the shower was that I took after my ice bath (and 18 mile run). The warm water hit my back and I had to let out a little scream. Why? Here’s why (I decided the pictures were kind of gross, so I made them in to links to view at your own discretion).
My sports bra has been chafing my back for quite some time – as you can see in the first photo, there are scars from the older chafe marks below the new ones. I tried Body Glide and vaseline and they did not help. I have yet to try athletic tape.
I wear the Moving Comfort Dori bra. It’s time to try a new one, I think (or get a bigger size?). Any sports bra recommendations from my female running friends?
Does anyone else have an awful chafing story to share with me? Any tips? Where do you chafe?
I used to between my thighs, but now that I wear bermudas when I run, that hasn’t been an issue. It’s just my back and under my armpits. My sister has suggested that I just run “free.” I may have to try that. I wonder how far I will get before I knock myself out.
I have the same chafing issues. I find shirts that fit a little tighter under the arms, and that takes care of that issue. As for the bra… I’m pretty sure I’ll have scars on my chest. I actually don’t really notice the chafing much anymore, because I’m so used to it. Until I get in the shower…
Ouch! That looks painful! I recently started chafing under the front part of my sports bra, but usually only after longer-ish runs when I’ve been sweating a lot. I even broke down and bought Body Glide this weekend, so we’ll see how that goes.
No real tips except to WATCH OUT when you’re in the shower…I never realize that I’ve chafed until the water hits. Ouch!
Ouch! That doesn’t look comfortable! I don’t really have suggestions because I rarely even wear a sports bra…just not necessary for me so I usually only wear one for races or when I run in public. I still don’t need one, but I feel like I “should” wear one in public so I do. I hope you find something that doesn’t hurt! Runners are kind of a crazy bunch. Where else would you find people who put up with so much torture/pain and keep going? I think that is pretty cool but I hope you find something better soon so you don’t have to suffer more than necessary.
Run free? OUCH!
I chafe pretty bad under my arms too… especially on super long runs. I used to chafe under my sports bra in the front, but ever since I got a Garmin, the heart rate strap has prevented that.
Try bandaids maybe? That seems to be the only thing that helps me.
That isn’t a bad idea! 🙂 I will give band-aids a try!
Um… ouch!! That looks painful.
I’ve never run great distances, so I can’t say how it would stand up to that… but I’ve been wearing this sports bra for years, and I’ve never had any problems with it. In fact, I love it so much that I wear it all the time!
<3 <3
Oh wow. That even looks comfortable! Maybe I will order one!
Honestly, I switched the moving comfort juno bra and have had NO issues with the new bra. But I also prefer sports shield over body glide–so maybe you can switch to that.
That looks painful though!!!
I was on the MC website and they recommended the juno bra. So that is the one you use?
Chafing is way painful. It’s only happened once or twice to me, but enough to remember I don’t ever want it to happen again. I wish I had an answer to your chafing woes … it never happened consistently enough to me where I needed to find a remedy.
OW!! My thighs and under my iPod arm are so far the only places that get me. But then again, I’m pretty flat, so my girls don’t cause movement, lol…
You poor thing– that looks so painful! I’ve never had a chafing problem, but I have also never run 18 miles 🙂 You go!
Wish I could suggest a sports bra but as I’m a member of the itty bitty titty committee I can get away with cheap-o Target ones with no problems. I don’t know if a larger bra is the answer. I would think you’d want to go smaller to cut down on movement.
“Running free” sounds horrible!!! And then you have to worry about nipple chafe which sounds WAY worse. My Champion C9 sports bras (I think you can get them at target) don’t seem to chafe as much.
I sometimes chafe between my thighs depending on what shorts I’m wearing and how sweaty/wet (from rain or running through lakes) I get.
I use body glide but it doesn’t always work (or maybe it keeps it from getting worse?) I also get the under armpit chafe on longer runs :(. It happened during my half and I could feel it burning by mile 10 but I just pressed on.
Oh gosh! That is the worst when you can feel it and are anticipating it 😉
Maybe I will try the C9 bra since they might not be too expensive 😉
The Sports Shield (AKA Blister Shield) works good for me. I put it on very liberally!! I have used it under the front band and in the back, over the clasp. I’ve had underwires poke and rub my chest but I typically just bend them “out” a bit and it is no longer an issue. I love the Champion Powerback bra but I did injure my shoulder trying to get it off. It fits REALLY, REALLY, REALLY snug. But it is still my favorite distance bra and great on hot days. The Chamption Scoop Back is my second choice. Both handle bounce well and the benefit of the Scoopback is that it provides modesty with the nipple issue. I’ve had many of those painful showers so good luck!!
One more thing – make sure you are wearing the right size. 18 miles is a long way and even with the right size, a little movement of fabric against skin can cause lacerations over the long haul.
Since I’m not blessed with much of a chest I can get away with the Nike running bra’s. Make sure the sports bra is snug and meant for high impact sports. I have found that the Body Glide lubricant that dries like a powder works better than regular body glide.
Yikes! Those are some intense chafe marks. I run in Nike sports bras, which are only compression, but I am not well-endowed. Do you use an encapsulated bra?
Only ONE of my bras (a newer one?) has been making me chafe recently. It’s a new thing–and it’s an awkward chest-al place. (No pictures, ha.) I scream every time I shower after long runs.
They are encapsulated. I started using those when I ran more than 6 miles. Maybe they just need to be replaced? They are about 1.5 yrs old. 🙁
Ha ha. No pics? Come on! LOL, I didn’t include my front chafe pics 😉
I’m not a runner, but I’ve had problems with chafing in the past because I have what I like to call ‘thunder thighs.’ I tend to chafe more when I’m wearing dresses during warm weather. For our outdoor wedding reception, I knew I was going to have a big problem. I actually just used cheap stick deodorant. I didn’t have a problem all day.
I was wearing a dress on a hot day this Saturday and could immediately feel my thighs rubbing 😉
And I thought you were staring to run at one point? 🙂
Oh yes! I am the chafing QUEEN over here! I slather myself in body glide before any run of a considerable distance and it does nothing for me. So frustrating! I have a particular bad one under my boobs right now from my sports bra after my 20-miler last week. It is SO painful when you get in the shower isn’t it!
Kim, your so funny. Good luck finding something that will work I don’t want you to knock yourself out.
Hehehe me neither! 😀
It could be that the elastic is starting to die so it’s moving more. Or it just doesn’t folit right.
In my area, Dillard’s and Macy’s have the best sportsbra selection. I have a bunch of different ones. I say go try some on — everyone is different. Title 9 Sports has a great selection if you know your size.
That is a great suggestion. We have a Macy’s and I would prefer to try it on first!
I definitely can’t run free — I’d probably be kicking my boobs by the end of the long runs!
I love moving comfort Fiona Bra (I even wrote a review on it recently), but the straps and back sometimes chafe me, but nothing body glide pre-run doesn’t take care of.
Body Glide! I have to put some on for my longer runs because my bra chafes as well. Title 9 has some great sports bras although they are not cheap and neither is their shipping. :/
Um, holy crap OW! You poor thing. I typically wear the C9 champion sports bras from target or the one that I got from lululemon. I don’t really chafe (although I received a pair of lulu running shorts for me bday and they are SO short that my thighs were on the verge of chafing, boo) thankfully but if I did I would be all over the body glide. I’m a wimp!
OH SHIT. That looks like it HURTS. Gosh, if body gluide doesn’t work, it is time to try a new bra. Seriously.
BTW – I can’t help but think of runners in the 70 rising up and burning their sportsbras after similar occurrences
Sweetie, I may be late to this party but you need a new sports bra.
I have no clue how big you are but if they’re huge I hear the Ennell bras are incredible. I am a big big fan of the Under Armour gear … yes their bras too. They don’t move and they wick like nobody’s business. Shock Absorber make a nice one…
But really, go to your running store and ask if they have recommendations too. There is really no need for that. (I get butt chafing… I’ll spare you the details.)
You have to tell me about butt chafing… because I think it might happen to me!
Tried a new bra and loved it! Was at Under Armour outlet today and thought about getting one of theirs 🙂
Thanks for your suggestions! 🙂
I’ve been getting frequent chafing between the legs these past few weeks, and it’s been driving me crazy! Mainly because I haven’t been doing anything out of the ordinary to cause it. I looked online for remedies, and they suggested frequent washing with soap, staying dry, and ice pack if it’s really bad. I tried the ice pack once and it did seem to help. I was sick of walking around bowlegged.
PS, in the south we call chafing “the prickly heat”