Running Tattoos

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So this morning, I got out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry off.  The moment the towel touched my chest I let out a loud WHOOP.  I didn’t realize it yesterday, but my sports bra had left a major chafe mark under my right breast. 

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Chafe marks – which I lovingly call running tattoos – are the worst.  So, so utterly painful.  I get them on my chest, my back, the waist of my shorts, the edges of my trisuit, around my knee sleeves (if I’m wearing them), around my ankle timing chip, and sometimes even on my watch cuff.  No doubt, however, that my bra burns are the worst.

 

Worst personal chafe ever (someone give that bra burn a trophy!):

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The pain lasted for days.

 

I’ve recently been experimenting with loads of new methods to prevent the chafe.  But unfortunately, for me, I’ve realized that it’s somewhat unavoidable because my skin is so sensitive, and I’m naturally a salty sweater.  (Salt creates grit and makes the chafe worse.)

 

Here’s the things that I’ve tried, in order of least effective to most effective, including my recent attempts to prevent the chafe:

 

Body Glide:  Everyone else swears by Body Glide (or Vaseline) but I find I sweat through it way too quickly.  In fact, if dozens of other runners hadn’t sworn by Body Glide, I would think it was a total joke.

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Diaper Rash Ointment:  Only tried this once and it seemed as effective as Vaseline.  Smelled like a baby, though. 

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Moleskin:  I’ve written about moleskin for blisters before (truly amazing for protecting feet), but it’s also pretty good at protecting chafe areas on the rest of your body.  The only thing I don’t like about moleskin is that it doesn’t last through lots of sweating and may need to be reapplied, especially along the chest.

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Wearing a shirt under your sports bra:  Totally awkward looking but really works.   I usually will layer another shirt on top to prevent myself from becoming a sideshow on the sidewalk.  Also, if you chafe in between your legs, wearing a pair of skin-tight shorts underneath your looser shorts works wonders. 

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Athletic Tape:  Athletic tape is definitely my to-go solution for chafing.  I line the chafable areas with the tape and it forms a buffer.  Unlike moleskin, it doesn’t peel off as easily.  However – be careful wrapping it around your ribcage.  If you do, take a DEEP BREATH first.  I wrapped my ribcage before a long race once and couldn’t breathe properly the entire time.  Hell.

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Duct Tape: Same concept as athletic tape.  Works even better!  Duct tape really does solve all the world’s problems.  Just be prepared to take off all your hair along with the tape when you remove it.

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Am I missing any secret tricks to prevent the chafe?  Have you ever gotten an epic running tattoo?  I will gladly hand over my bra burn trophy to a worthy contender!

{ 123 comments }

 

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) September 29, 2011, 3:14 pm

    The sports bra over a t-shirt combo sounds like something you’d see on the People of Walmart website (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/) 🙂
    …good idea to put another t-shirt on top!

  • Megan September 29, 2011, 3:17 pm

    ouch! I like body glide but I use Vagasil anti-chafe gel too… it’s in the gross girly parts aisle! I use it on my thighs.. not as sticky as Body Glide. May not hold up for your long runs..

    good luck!

  • Jen September 29, 2011, 3:18 pm

    I am a crazy sweater. I chafed so badly one time that it turned into an infection! Body Glide never works for me. However, I swear by this stuff: 2 Toms Sports shield
    Website: http://www.2toms.com/sportshield

    You can purchase it at most running stores. It’s definitely greasier than Body Glide, but I have never chafed during a marathon or training run since I started using it. I’ve converted many people.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:33 pm

      Oooo. That sounds awesome.

  • DadHTP September 29, 2011, 3:22 pm

    I’ve been telling you this for years – Bag Balm – lanolin based, extremely persistent. Listen to your father? Nooooooooo.
    Have you ever tried it?

    • Caitlin September 29, 2011, 3:24 pm

      Isn’t that the stuff out of the green tin?

      • DadHTP September 29, 2011, 3:28 pm

        yes – praised by cyclists everywhere.

        • Jodi September 29, 2011, 3:56 pm

          Ha! I grew up with that stuff! My grandfather had a huge tin for the cows teets (he was a farmer). Doesn’t smell too good, but it’s great for humans too.

        • Cheryl September 29, 2011, 3:59 pm

          My rowing coach recommended it for our blistered hands

      • Nicole (Mrs. Muffins) September 29, 2011, 5:50 pm

        I’ve personally never used Bag Balm but I love lanolin. I don’t typically use animal products but I was given some lanolin for my sore boobies when I was nursing and it’s just so amazing, lol!

    • Lydia (@InhabitTheBeauty) September 29, 2011, 3:32 pm

      Bag Balm is REALLY, REALLY great for people who get horribly dry skin in the winter, as well. My aunt uses it and swears by it to prevent cracking around her knuckles.

    • leeann September 29, 2011, 5:58 pm

      My husband is a pro mountain biker and cyclocross racer and loves this stuff! I get awful chafing across my ribcage…I should probably listen to him and try it 😉

    • Janelle September 30, 2011, 8:31 am

      Was just going to say “try Bag Balm…” – listen to your daddy! We use that stuff for everything, it is our family’s equivalent to Windex. (Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? if not that comparison will be lost…)

      • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:35 pm

        Windex does cure everything.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:34 pm

      Just read how lanolin is created and now I’m creeped out!!!!!!!!

  • PressureCookerDiaries September 29, 2011, 3:34 pm

    Ha, I just wanted to say that I first read “[…]the edges of my trisuit,[…]” as “the edges of my triscuit. As in the snack food.

    I feel lucky that I haven’t ever had a chaffed area.

    • cristina September 29, 2011, 3:58 pm

      Me too. Hahahaha. I was si confused. I thought it was some running term I had never heard of.

    • Mary-Heather September 29, 2011, 5:05 pm

      haha I read that too and I thought maybe Caitlin had invented a new euphemism for the “good china” or something. 😀

  • Rae September 29, 2011, 3:35 pm

    I challenge you for the trophy….I only posted the G pics, but you get a TON of chafe doing an ironman:
    http://triingforbalance.blogspot.com/2011/09/parfaits-and-pavement.html

    sick!

    • Caitlin September 29, 2011, 3:37 pm

      holy hell, you win.

      • Rae September 29, 2011, 3:48 pm

        Can’t decide if thats good or bad. For what its worth, I use body glide and/or lanicaine, but for a 12 hour race, all bets are off 😛

    • Alyssa @ Don't Look Down September 29, 2011, 4:11 pm

      This looks so unpleasant. But it also looks kinda like you got attacked by a cat.
      You win.

  • Shannon September 29, 2011, 3:36 pm

    Blah I am having the same problem only in the last few months though and I have been running for 3 years.
    I have not had to resort to duct tape yet but almost at the point as I have tried all other mentioned.

  • Michelle September 29, 2011, 3:36 pm

    Since it worked so well on my feet, I normally just use deodorant/antiperspirant on chafe-y spots. For my feet I use spray deodorant/antip, under sports bra areas and waist I usually use stick deodorant/antip. Since it’s something I already have and use, I never need to make special trips to the store for it.

    • Caitlin September 29, 2011, 3:38 pm

      Oh now that’s an AWESOME idea.

      • Michelle September 29, 2011, 3:59 pm

        Yeah, I actually discovered this method works when I bought band-aids blister block stick which was supposed to help stop blisters when wearing high heels, etc. It looked like regular stick deodorant once I bought it, so I tried my method above & works like a charm. YMMV.

      • Shannon September 29, 2011, 4:03 pm

        Yes I meant to mention this. This is actually what I have been doing and it is working wonders lets hope it stays that way.

        • Ali September 29, 2011, 5:54 pm

          Be careful with too much antiperspirant over your body- it blocks sweating which can lead to easily over heating.

    • Erin September 29, 2011, 9:59 pm

      I agree, I use regular deodorant but I try to stick to Tom’s or another all natural type. I didn’t find Body Glide useful either but I’m still looking for other options.

  • Deva @ Deva by Definition September 29, 2011, 3:38 pm

    I haven’t had any issues with chafing yet.. *knock on wood* At least, not from running. In my inline-skating years, I had “anklets” from the chafing of my inline-boots – all the way around my ankles, at least a 1/2 inch high.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) September 29, 2011, 3:39 pm

    I just wrote a post about this, haha! I’ve been wearing cotton sports bras since I started running, and a few months ago I got rained on at the beginning of a 12 miler. Two hours in the rain = my chest was actually BLEEDING when I got home. I still have scars!

    • Liz A September 29, 2011, 6:03 pm

      that sounds awful! 🙁

    • Shelly September 29, 2011, 10:39 pm

      That happened to me too! I bought my first thing of Body Glide after that!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife September 29, 2011, 3:40 pm

    I actually don’t get much of running tattoos….but when I do, I try to make sure I am wearing shirts/shorts that are not made of cotton. That usually helps!

    So sorry about those ‘injuries’—ouch!

  • Sarah September 29, 2011, 3:43 pm

    I have really liked using the Monistat anti chafing gel. I don’t know how it would hold up on a long run though.

  • Brandy September 29, 2011, 3:44 pm

    I chafe like nobody’s business (most of the time a vertical line on the bottom band of my sports bra). I was having to layer sports bras to keep from chafing and that got old really fast.

    Body Glide doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried Monistat Chafing gel. Doesn’t work either for long distances (but is great as a makeup primer). My final solution is to wear bike shorts on the bottom underneath shorts or running skirts and always always always this bra: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V1U6XG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001AP1QWK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Z7GYWAK5Z239W7RDYZ1
    (Fiona by Moving Comfort).

    It’s amazing. The first time I wore it it was like angels came down from heaven. I have never gotten chafe marks on my chest when wearing this bra.

  • Laura September 29, 2011, 3:46 pm

    I swear by Alba’s Unpetroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly…depending on how long your races are you might need to reapply (and I think that would be the case for anything you use…except for athletic/duct tape).

    http://dev.unpetroleum.com/index.php?id=98&pid=493

  • Susanne September 29, 2011, 3:50 pm

    Aquaphor! http://www.aquaphorhealing.com/ I use to help heal chafing or burns or really anything (almost like windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding). When running, I do use it with Body Glide (I put Body Glide first and then also apply Aquaphor on any sensitive areas).

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:36 pm

      Someone else used the Windex reference 🙂 hehe. Love!

  • bo September 29, 2011, 3:52 pm

    I chaffed ALOT in my first year of running. I built up to high milage in regular work out clothes aka no technical gear, just cotton. I would find out when I got in the shower how bad it was, boy oh boy it stings.
    The worst was I managed to chaffe a birth mark right along my bra line so badly that it got infected. Like I needed to take antibiotics infected. Ugh. Somewhere between first chaffe and infection there was duct tape involve. That was a bad sitiuation.
    To stop the chaffe I generally wear two sports bras. One that actually supports and keeps there girls in check and the second is just a seamless one to protect from the other one. Sigh. Someday I will find one that I can wear single layered, but not yet.

  • cristina September 29, 2011, 3:53 pm

    Im so happy you wrote this post. 2 weeks ago I started having this problem and I wasn’t sure what to do. I looked it up online and tried body glide but it did not work for me either. I will try the tape. Thank you Sooooooo much!!!!!

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:37 pm

      Oh I’m so glad. GL with the chafing!

  • Kamaile September 29, 2011, 3:53 pm

    Maybe you should switch sports bras? I ONLY wear the Champion bras with the thin straps. I do use body glide under the girls but not under the straps and I NEVER have chafing. I thought you got a REAL running tattoo 🙂

    • Kamaile September 29, 2011, 3:55 pm

      Sorry, these are the Champion bras from Target.

    • Shelly September 29, 2011, 10:41 pm

      Good point! I have a few Nike sports bras that chafe like a some B. I cake on the Body Glide whenever I wear them.

  • Theresa @ActiveEggplant September 29, 2011, 4:07 pm

    I chafe like a mofo too – mostly around my ribcage and right underneath/between the ladies. After reading one of your other posts I found that athletic tape works the best for me – especially on longer runs and during triathlons because I can put it on pre-swim and it won’t move! (And to get it off I lather it up with soap & it comes off no problem.) I’ve also switched to Enell sports bras & the amount of chafing I experience has DRASTICALLY reduced. Enell bras might be hideous, but they really work well for stopping too much “bounce”!

  • Alyssa @ Don't Look Down September 29, 2011, 4:08 pm

    Thought I’d share my running tatoo.
    http://alyssajoheartstrong.blogspot.com/2011/06/post-race.html
    Got that baby from running a half-marathon in a brand new tank with a seam in the front. It felt terrible because all the sweat keep rolling into it.
    The next weekend someone even asked me why I had stitches on my chest because it looked so bad. 4 months later and I still have a scar.

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith September 29, 2011, 4:10 pm

    What about Crisco? Gross, I know …

  • Bari September 29, 2011, 4:11 pm

    I use body glide under the girls – and I’ve “retired” a couple of lesser bras because of the horrific chafing there. My under armor and nike bras usually don’t chafe, thank goodness.

    I’ve never heard of using a shirt under the bra or duct tape – genius!

  • Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count September 29, 2011, 4:14 pm

    The diaper rash ointment is too funny! That stuff definitely has a distinctive smell!

    This post is great. I am thinking about running a 1/2 marathon in February, and knowing how to avoid chafing will definitely help!

  • Kristin @ STUFT Mama September 29, 2011, 4:15 pm

    I have two nice running tats on my back where my sports bra rubbed. One on each side, right in the back fat area. Sooooo attractive. I’m a lucky gal. Ugh.

  • Julia September 29, 2011, 4:22 pm

    I put in another vote bag balm. It is amazing!

  • Sweet and Savvy September 29, 2011, 4:31 pm

    Wow! That looks awful 🙁 I’m really prone to chaffing too. thanks for all these great tips ! 🙂

  • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled September 29, 2011, 4:33 pm

    I’m always chafing, no matter how much BG I use. I have a bad mark on my back from my bra and am hoping it doesn’t scar.

    I’ve tried to buy clothes that have fewer seams because they seem to work better. I did this with my sports bra (a seamless version) and haven’t had any chafing.

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel September 29, 2011, 4:38 pm

    Duct tape cures all! I get so creative when dealing with little things like that, especially with blisters. Band-aids, duct tape, packing tape, it’s all been used!

  • Sarah September 29, 2011, 4:42 pm

    Duct tape – brilliant! My worst chafe ever was under my breast…to the point that when I got home my sport bra was wet with blood! It was horrible, took forever to heal (since you can’t really keep a bandaid on the underside of your boob in summer and my regular bra rubbed it every day) and HURT in the shower! Blah, just thinking about it makes me shudder!

  • Alyssa September 29, 2011, 4:49 pm

    I’m a chafing queen. I’ve found blood on clothes I wore days later. This is a vlog that shows probably not even my worst chafing. http://chocolateismylife-us.blogspot.com/2011/07/dont-carb-load-with-fried-kool-aid.html

    The diaper rash cream is a miracle chafing healer. Put it on after and your chafing magically scabs over and doesn’t hurt.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:38 pm

      hahah that was an awesome race recap, alyssa!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat September 29, 2011, 4:49 pm

    OMG that looks SO sore!! I hadn’t thought of duct tape, but it reminds me of the movie Now and Then when Christina Ricci duct tapes her boobs because she’s a tomboy and doesn’t want them to grow. Haha!

  • Erica September 29, 2011, 4:50 pm

    I was wishing I had duct tape the other day in the middle of my 20 mile long run for marathon training. It was hot and I was chafed so bad on my armpits I was ready to just get ANY kind of barrier there so it would quit burning!

  • Lisa September 29, 2011, 5:32 pm

    I think I am one of the lucky ones – I have never had chafing!!!

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs September 29, 2011, 5:59 pm

    Masking tape! As a dancer for years I used this on my feet to deal with pointe shoes. It works for running too and is cheap 🙂

    I had a major running tattoo on my inner thigh (and upper, seriously close to a region that should only be treated with love) and the skin was so sensitive that the bandaids I was using were irritating the skin around it. It was horrible!

  • Amy September 29, 2011, 6:03 pm

    Ahhhh duck tape! I was a cheerleader in high school and had to use duck tape — except on my chest. I was so big chested that as a base (the bottom of the pyramid) the girls I was tossing and catching were hurting my own set of girls!

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:38 pm

      ouch. sympathy boobie pains!

  • Molly @ RDexposed September 29, 2011, 6:12 pm

    I get the chaffing at the base of my sports bra. It burns like no other as soon as water hits it. Neighbors hear the scream.
    If I can feel the chaffing while running I wedge my shirt in between my skin and bra. Looking ridiculous is fine with me!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb September 29, 2011, 6:16 pm

    ahhhh that looks SO painful!! i have found that a layer of deodorant with a thin layer of vaseline over it does the trick for me.

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen September 29, 2011, 6:30 pm

    That sounds so painful! I’m lucky to have never dealt with chafing in the 2 years I’ve been running. I sweat a ton but for some reason it hasn’t happen. *knock on wood*

  • eliza September 29, 2011, 6:31 pm

    Ever since I started half marathon training, I sweat salt crystals. Is this normal?!

    • Alett September 29, 2011, 6:41 pm

      Do you mind me asking what you use for your nutrition? Have you ever considered taking a salt tablet -> Hammer nutrition makes a capsule called “Endurolytes” that can help with salt replacement. I have a sneaking suspicion you run in a warm/humid climate and I am concerned about you losing too much salt. Please note that I am not a nutritionist nor a coach; just someone who runs (I’ve done about 10’ish marathons) and saw your comment.
      🙂

      • DadHTP September 29, 2011, 7:17 pm

        I think it’s hereditary – I’m the same way. My bike shorts would have obvious salt marks. Never suffered ill effects – just the way it worked.

    • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled September 29, 2011, 9:17 pm

      That happens to me too. It usually happens on my longer runs (like when I did 20 last weekend). Drinking a Nuun drink afterwards helps a ton and eating saltier things the rest of the day to replace the lost sodium.

      • eliza September 29, 2011, 9:26 pm

        Thanks for all the advide guys. I live in Portland, ME and believe it or not, it has been pretty hot lately. I was a little itsy concerned because I had a raging headache and the salt crystals especially on my face. I definitely feel like I drink enough h20. But maybe not?
        I have never heard of nuun drinks, I will look it up.

  • Sarah September 29, 2011, 6:33 pm

    I row and so I get blisters on my hands (and my feet a bit too) but the WORST is the chafing i get on my butt. SO gross. SO uncomfortable. I can’t even sit comfortably. I also get a bit of chafing from my sports bra along my ribcage but that is not so bad. But if anyone has a cure for this whole butt chafing thing…please help. PLEASE.

  • Alett September 29, 2011, 6:46 pm

    Hubby is a chafer (I think I made that word up) and use to LOVE using chamois butt’R but he’s cheap and found it too $$. He has found a very reasonable replacement in a product called “Aqua Lube” -> it is the stuff that athletic therapists put on prior to taping I think. We seriously have like a 2 liter JUG of the stuff! Admittedly it was awkward when the in-laws came over and found the HUGE jug of “lube” hanging out in the bathroom LOL!

    Admittedly I am a chafer/chaffer as well but sadly it is in the mid thigh area. During our reach the beach overnight relay race I FORGOT (!!!!) to put on the lube for my first leg of the relay. BIG MISTAKE as it was misting rain. The chafing was so bad that it was oozing and causing my warmup pants to stick to the chafing site. ouch.
    🙂

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:39 pm

      Oh man. OOZING??? gross.

  • dani September 29, 2011, 6:58 pm

    this post made me think about sweat as the culprit in chafing. it doesn’t get gritty until it starts to dry when you stop sweating, right? so maybe part of it is making sure to stay properly hydrated. just a thought. couldn’t hurt, right?

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga September 29, 2011, 7:03 pm

    Ive lost so much skin from running over the years, it’s not even funny. Mostly on my feet, i.e. blisters. I am super prone to them no matter million tricks or tips I try. ugh!

  • dani September 29, 2011, 7:09 pm

    ps: here’s my worst running tattoo of all time. and i don’t think i’ll ever get a worse one…
    http://see-dani-run.blogspot.com/2011/08/success.html

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:40 pm

      ohmigod. that is horrible.

  • miladybowen September 29, 2011, 7:12 pm

    Just a thought – Maybe you need a different bra? I know you mentioned before you have a small band and a larger cup. I am a 30H and I buy sports bras at barenecessities.com. They have my size. When I have a bra that shifts at all, i do chafe. I have bled during runs before from chaffing.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:40 pm

      i will look at that website. i really have never been able to find a bra that didn’t result in chafing. no matter what the size!

  • Jill September 29, 2011, 7:16 pm

    This may not work in real life, but it sounds logical in my head… If the shirt-under-bra method works, could you cut up a couple of old t-shirts into wide strips, and slip them under the bra straps before a run? They could be laundered afterwards.

  • LizW September 29, 2011, 7:53 pm

    I’ve used duct tape on my heels for hiking and it usually works great. But then you’re stuck with adhesive residue for days.

  • Chelsea September 29, 2011, 8:01 pm

    I do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (26miles day one, 13 miles day two) and swear by lubricant. It sounds disgusting, feels disgusting, but works amazingly! I use it on my feet to prevent blisters. Not too sure how well it would work though while running? I know it’s great for when you’re walking though!

  • Martha September 29, 2011, 8:04 pm

    Um…so once, I got a “running tattoo” in between my cheeks — not the ones on my face. And the worst part was that it extended rather close to my lady bits…luckily it went away in a day or two, but that first shower after the race was a rather unpleasant surprise! Word of advice: don’t wear running capris sans underwear. 🙁

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:41 pm

      ouchhhhhh. between the cheeks!

  • Lee September 29, 2011, 8:10 pm

    It’s the worst feeling when you go to take a shower and realize that you’re chafed. That water burns! I always get it under my boobs too. Especially my left one, which I guess is a little bigger.

    Okay, over share over.

  • Angela @ MyPinkyToes September 29, 2011, 8:23 pm

    I had issues with my sports bras chafing, but I ended up finding a good bra from Victorias Secret that didn’t chafed quite so much. I also use deodorant to prevent it in other areas! 🙂

  • Macrae September 29, 2011, 8:28 pm

    The worst chafing is the kind I get from the lining-underwear on running shorts being too loose and rubbing in the inside bends of my legs. It’s like the worst razor burn ever and stings like hell in the shower!
    Duct tape is a miracle, we used it for blister for soccer and nothing worked like it!

  • Jenna September 29, 2011, 8:36 pm

    My worst chafing ever was during a 50k race – I wore shorts without pockets and thought I would be a real smarty pants and store my gels in my sports bra. I’m small chested. There’s lots of room. I didn’t feel a thing during the run – super hot sweaty day – but when I removed my sport bra afterwards not only were my breasts both severely chafed – but it looked like I took a knife and tried to cut both breasts off. Five years later, I still have three scars on each breast from the three gel packs! Ouch.

    As for prevention – other than being smarter – I use Criticaid Clear – it is a barrier cream used in hospitals. You can buy it over the counter at healthcare stores [places where you can buy ostomy supplies, wheelchairs, etc]. You won’t find anything better.

    I do however love the Bag Balm healing all for those surprise chafing locations!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss September 29, 2011, 8:54 pm

    hahaha I love the shirt under sports bra idea. I haven’t seen anybody do that one yet..but it’d totally work!

  • Brooke @ Tales of a Bride-To-Be September 29, 2011, 9:00 pm

    Have not had a running tattoo just yet, I know the day will come but I least I know what I should do. I really like the shirt under a sports bra.

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul September 29, 2011, 9:09 pm

    hahaha that bra outside the shirt is sooooo cute! You never cease to amaze me Caitlin…never… 😀

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey September 29, 2011, 9:21 pm

    Yikes! Poor thing! I don’t chafe at all – unless I go on a really long run!

  • Devon September 29, 2011, 9:32 pm

    Ouch ouch ouch! If you like using athletic tape, order some omnifix or cover roll from a medical sales catalog or your physical therapist! It’s more cloth like, sticks like crazy, but won’t give you the wax job of duct tape. You may have used it if they had you “tape” your knees for your patella issues.

  • katie @ KatieDid September 29, 2011, 9:54 pm

    ohhh I can relate, I started chaffing about halfway through my marathon and had really bad pain under my arm pits from my tank top for hours. And then days after that. I learned to wear loose fitting clothing from then on.

  • mb September 29, 2011, 10:13 pm

    my first blister from running came from my undies. i was in college and noticed in my crotch area was a large blister… def thought i was being WAY too promiscuous and panicked for about 10 minutes. phew, sorry, tmi.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:43 pm

      that happened to a friend of mine… no bueno!

  • Liz September 29, 2011, 11:31 pm

    The bottoms of both my boobs are totally burned right now from switching sports bras… like I am missing several layers of skin! I TOTALLY hear you about how awful chafing is!!!

  • kristen September 29, 2011, 11:37 pm

    I have never had a “tattoo” before haha.

  • Orla September 30, 2011, 3:04 am

    Oh I hate chafing. For some reason my sweat has only recently become really salty – as in if I rub it round my face it is like a free dermabrasion session!!!! I got a really bad chafe on my back from my sports bras (yes 2) and didn’t notice until I got in the shower. they could hear me scream in space! I am lucky as body glide works for me but it is horrible.

  • Katherine September 30, 2011, 7:01 am

    Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but to prevent losing your hair/skin when you pull off the tape.. try wrapping yourself with Pre-wrap first!

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:43 pm

      Oh, excellent suggestion, Katherine!

  • Lisa September 30, 2011, 7:02 am

    I get occasional chafing when I run, depending how long I’m going. But yesterday, I had plans to do a swim/run workout so was wearing a sportsbra and top in the water. It’s worked before but not this time. I was totally chafed on my arms and neck. And the swim was in the sea. Salty sea. I was not happy.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin September 30, 2011, 8:07 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with chafing before! But if I ever do, I’ll know where to look for solutions. You have tons of awesome ideas in this post!

  • Christie September 30, 2011, 9:52 am

    I am really glad someone else found Body Glide to be crap! I thought about posting my thoughts on it the other day, too, but know most of my fellow bloggers love it and didn’t want to disappoint. Glad someone with a lot of klout spoke the truth. I am with ya girl!

  • Bethany September 30, 2011, 9:57 am

    Try Chamois Butt’r. Made for cyclists, but works for running too!

  • Melissa September 30, 2011, 2:03 pm

    I like Mission Athletecare’s Antichafe Cream. It doesn’t smell like anything at all, and is more like a lotion than a stick (bodyglide). I bought it in March at a marathon expo and haven’t touched my bodyglide since.

  • Stephanie September 30, 2011, 3:10 pm

    I chafe really bad too! Like to the point of bleeding 🙁 I have been using the Band Aid brand blister block (http://www.amazon.com/Band-Aid-Activ-Flex-Blister-Block-Stick/dp/B00166FZBG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317409653&sr=8-1) and it works really well……sometimes I still get a little red, but no chafe or bleeding. My second go to is athletic tape.

  • Sophie @ threetimesf September 30, 2011, 5:13 pm

    Thankfully I’ve never experienced any serious chafing problems – sounds horrible painful!
    I like your paint drawing though! 🙂
    Have a great weekend Caitlin.

  • jennyV September 30, 2011, 5:57 pm

    Is it awful that I laughed when reading about some of these ‘tattoos’? I only laugh because I have been there — and have 3 nice tats I’m currently working on healing prior to my 1st marathon in 2 weeks. The worst part is getting done with a long run, hopping into a cool shower and then finding out through that severe burning feeling that, YES, there’s a new area of chaffing!

  • Mary September 30, 2011, 7:40 pm

    Thanks for this post! I was just panicking about what to do about my LSR this weekend–I chafe in the same area under my boobs! So painful, and looks awful. I’ll try athletic tape. Love your blog!!

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 8:09 pm

      Good luck! Let me know how it works out!

      • Mary October 3, 2011, 12:55 am

        Worked like a charm! You are a lifesaver.

  • Kristen @ The Concrete Runner September 30, 2011, 9:55 pm

    Oh man, I would’ve never thought that Body Glide wouldn’t work for anyone! I swear by that stuff! And it would be quite funny to see anyone out wearing a t-shirt under their sportsbra! Ha!

  • Caroline Leigh October 1, 2011, 9:38 am

    i don’t know if you already follow her, but fitchickinthecity posts about running gear every now and then. here’s a post on her favorite sports bras:
    http://fitchickinthecity.com/2011/09/my-favorite-supporters/
    maybe you a new bra would help 🙂

  • Pamela @ Girl Gone West October 1, 2011, 3:56 pm

    So I thought you were kind of crazy talking about all this chafing business – besides my chub rub (between my thighs on particularly sweaty, hot, wet runs), I’ve never experienced any issue.

    UNTIL TODAY. I ran an 11-miler under the relentless Denver sun and ended up not being remotely hungry for the Gu I’d stashed in my sports bra (I store all kinds of things there – keys, tissues, chapstick). All seemed well and good until I removed my bra and noticed stripes of red between the girls that burned like the dickens when I hopped in the shower.

    Whoops. Never doing that again!

    • CaitlinHTP October 1, 2011, 9:13 pm

      BLAST! See, it’s the salt. Ugh. Hope you feel up soon!

  • Catherine October 3, 2011, 8:51 am

    I chafe so badly under my boobs, my shirt has been soaked in blood before. In desperation one day before a half marathon I found a thin plastic bag, cut it open and fitted it strategically over the trouble spots… Bliss!

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