Running

Running : Nip Chafing

Today, I wanted to touch upon a topic which is not discussed openly about Long distance Running

Bleeding Nipples

also known as Jogger’s nipple, Nip Chafing, Bloody Nipple, Runner’s Nipple

Running : Nip Chafing
Jogger's nipple, Nip Chafing, Bloody Nipple, Runner's Nipple
image courtesy : running with passion –only used for educative purpose

You might be the one who experienced it or the one who did not experienced it

Its painful

Creates a mental blockage for long runs and

Can be embarrassing if proper outfit not there

Are you Alone

No

To whom it can happen

Any Male or Female long distance( > 10km) runners or Runners who sweat a lot during runs

Causes

Sweaty cotton shirts during summer runs

Another is running on cold winter days when nipples are erect

Risk

Can cause bacterial or fungal infection around nipple area

Prevention

First dump those Cotton shirts for your runs and then read further

Choose lighter synthetic shirt designed to wick moisture away from the skin to prevent chafing and irritation

A Simple Search of Dry-Fit Moisture wicking shirt will lead you to many links, choose from many choices available

One may need to try few different kinds before settling –its important and worthy of your money if you are planning to continue running for years

Apply a Vaseline sufficiently on and around nipples

Use Medical bandage

Cut the tape in round shape a little bigger than your nipples and stick on nipples

Whole roll can last you a year or more

Use Nipple Covers

Use Surgical Tape

So we runners have multiple options as shared above to TRY and EXPERIMENT

I believe, One of those will surely work for you

YOU WILL ENJOY RUNNING when irritating issues go away

What to do if you don’t know above solutions and got chafed nipples

Gently clean the chafed nipples with mild soap and warm water.

Let it Dry and then apply an ointment or Vaseline/Bioline.

Let it heal for few days

Don’t use any additional things that could further irritate the already aggravated skin.

Soon I will write on another common problem of running which is also not shared openly until it becomes a major problem

Let me know your comments and feedback

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Failures · Running

Running : Common Failures on Race day

Turn Failure to success
Turn Failure to success

If there is a story for a sportsperson, then athlete would be on the top of the list and more or less every runner has a story. From being confident to overconfident, messing up on start line or finish line with premature celebration, making that one simple mistake that turned the entire experience into a bad race day.

After months of training, nobody wants a bad race day. Not only it can be extremely disappointing but also perhaps dashing your dreams of a new PR.

This article is about the awareness of the common failures that happen on pre-race day, race day and after that. I hope most of us have heard about Murphy law “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” . We need to avoid that as much as we can to have a nice race day and achieve our PR

Also Read : Running and Rest Day

FailureHow To Avoid
Logistics issues like misplaced bibs, timing chips, Not aware of parking areas, Miscalculation of time to reach start line from parking area, missing out race station for hydration etcPlan everything a day in advance from clothes to transportation etc. Do not leave any small or big decision for race day. Be aware of your running route and planned breaks
Trying new foods on race day like a gel shared by a friend or pre-race breakfast by organizers. May lead to stomach upsets during raceStick to pre-planned race day breakfast or mid run snacks tried and tested during practice runs
Going empty stomach to race. This is the other extreme and by the time you eat, drink from race stations, its too late and too littleEat pre-planned race day breakfast 90 mins before. Try to avoid high fat, high fibre foods
Too Fast too soon. You start the race with full pace in excitement and gets caught with fellow runners momentum and then you hit a wallSet a pace for your first 2 km of the race and then ease into race pace. Speed up as race progresses and finish with negative splits
Drinking too much water before race will lead to side stitches or bloated feeling. You might need a loo break in betweenStart hydrating yourself 3 days in advance and increase the water intake on pre-race day
Arriving at a race Too Exhausted. You kept on training till last day to cover up missing daysAlways follow a taper plan of 1-3 weeks depending on race distance and catch up on sleep. Generally we can’t sleep fully on pre-race night due to anticipation, excitement etc
You start the race without a proper warm up and then you finish with injured ankle or calf spoiling everything for next few daysPlan for 10 min time before race to do dynamic stretches, short strides or a easy jog to avoid injuries
You sign up for race in a different city and planned to roam around to see tourist places with your friendsYou should plan to rest on pre-race day and avoid exhaustion. You can always roam around after achieving PR.
You are a social person and keep partying till late night before race dayJust hold your party for a day and see the enjoyment of a party with new PR in hand
Stopping immediately after the race and missing cool down. May lead to cramps, soreness, body painWalk for a while after the race to allow your heart rate to come down gradually and do some static stretches before heading for food corner. Your body will thank you for that
Last but not the least, you forget lubrication and struggle in the race with chafing, itching. Body chafing is most under known among new runnersIdentify problem areas beforehand and lube up with Vaseline. Avoid wearing new clothes, shoes on race day to avoid chafing, blisters
Failures on race day and how to avoid them

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