I’ve heard about long runs leading to chafing but this has never actually struck me, until last night. I didn’t notice any pain while I was running but once I jumped into my post-run shower I could feel the burn.
Chafing is a result of your clothes rubbing against your skin (prevalent on long, sweaty runs) or from skin on skin rubbing. My particular problem areas are the outline of my sports bra, on my lower back at the top of my shorts and where my race belt sits on my waist- all places where my clothes were rubbing against my skin for 2+ hours.
The result is a red rash-type area and sometimes actual cuts on your skin, pleasant, right?
I’ve been reading up on chafe-prevention and the top recommendations are for Body Glide, Vaseline or Aquaphor. Marathoners recommend really layering it on since it rubs away as you run. One runner recommends carrying a travel sized container so you can reapply as needed.
Chafing is one of less glamorous parts of marathon training (actually, what part IS glamorous??) so let’s get this taken care of ASAP.
I’ll be trying out a few products and will get back to you with my recommendations.
Happy running y’all!
