Disclaimer: I received Handful’s The Closer Bra to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Gather round close kids, for I am about to tell you a horror story. But don’t worry, this one has a happy ending. It’s about one of the most scariest things that can happen to a female runner… CHAFING FROM YOUR SPORTS BRA!!!! /cue dramatic scream 😱😱
Let’s go back to the beginning shall we. Once upon a time (like 3 months ago actually), I had a super crazy idea that I was going to run an Ultra. I wrote a blog post about it here: http://box5183.temp.domains/~joshuany/runnerdgirl/2020/02/the-ultra-that-wasnt.html. It’s a long, sad story, but I will summarize – I trained a lot, in the cold of winter, for lots and lots of hard trail miles, and ultimately, the Ultra was cancelled due to a massive storm. /cue sad noises 😢😢
Here I am about 6 miles in, all layered up with the race’s namesake Millstone |
So before the cancelling happened, however, came the story that I came to tell you today. I’ll set the scene for you. I’m planning to spend long hours in the woods, in the cold, running hard technical trails. I need water for my run. I need warmth for my run. Meeting this will require many, many layers (did I mention, I’m a Southern girl who HATES being cold?). So I’m all geared up – on top I’ve got a sports bra, base layer, jacket, vest and hydration pack on. And I do my 21 mile run. And it is long and sweaty (I do end up tying the jacket around my waist at one point).
And as I’m running, I start to feel, something. Something on my shoulders isn’t quite right. It feels pinchy. And itchy. And just wrong. You ladies know what I am talking about I bet. I adjust as I run, but I suspect that I am in for a world of hurt later.
Smiling cause I’m done with 21 miles Gritting my teeth a bit, cause OW! |
So I finish my LOOOOOOONG run. And I’m feeling accomplished. But by now, I know that I am chafed. And not just a little. But I’m completely sweaty and starting to cool down in the cold and need to get into a hot shower before I start to loose feeling in my fingers. There is no delaying the SHOWER OF PAIN!!
I remove my clothes. Yup, there are large red welts on my shoulders, one much worst than the other. I turn on the hot water. I take a deep breath knowing what is about to happen, and step into the shower…
So yeah, on January 29th around 1 pm, if you heard a strange high pitched noise that you couldn’t identify, but made every dog in the neighborhood stop for a moment, that was probably my scream of the shower water hitting my sweaty, chafed shoulders. The pain was the worst chafing I had ever had in my time as a runner. It was insane. I cursed the entire shower. There was some sobbing. My shoulders were not just red, they were welted and bloodied. Afterwards, I took that sports bra from out of the laundry and threw it into the trash. I am not even kidding.
This was taken 2 days later. 😠|
Luckily… I had just ordered a brand new Handful Closer Bra which boasts having – “Smooth, non-chafing, quick-dry fabric”- from the Handful website. And even luckier it arrived the next day, because I’ll be honest, I was a bit terrified to run again with my shoulders, and since I’m doing a daily running challenge, I couldn’t wait it out to heal up. So on went my Handful bra and off I went on the road.
Same gear, same trails, different result! No chafing AT ALL |
And like I said, HAPPY ENDING, it worked like a charm! It was supportive, comfortable and not only no chafing, but no pain on my already pained shoulders. I’ve worn it for every long run I’ve had since (plus a few other activities like Boot Camp classes and a 2 hour Self Defense Class).
So if you do not want to end up like poor me and take the world’s most painful shower, you should try out a Handful Closer Bra for yourself. Or any of their other bras, all of which have the chafe-free bands. Some of my other BibRave Pro Sisters have tried out the Y-Backs and have all reported good things. I’ve even have a 20% off discount code to share for a bit of added incentive, if not fearing the shower isn’t quite enough. Use code BIBRAVE20 on the handful.com website.
This comment has been removed by the author.
That’s the scariest story I have ever read! I love my Handful bras! They are life savers!
Previous comment deleted because I suck at typing.
Glad you had a happy ending!!
The dreaded shower chafe! Omg it's the worst. Happened to me after my first full but under my arms not shoulders. Still it's something I never want to experience again and thanks to Handful, I won't have to!