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Most of what I once hated about running has been improved by better habits. I used to bonk after an hour into my tempo runs. Eating a decent breakfast before going out has all but eliminated the issue. I used to feel extremely tight, especially in my back, once I had returned home and showered. Using my foam roller before I move on with my day has helped me feel looser and more relaxed.
But how does one solve a problem like, uh, tenderized teats? Stop laughing—I’m serious! As I upped the mileage of my long runs in preparation for my first half-marathon a few years ago, I found myself needing to pull off my T-shirt just so that it would stop rubbing against my nipples, which were getting stiffer and more delicate with each step. On one extremely unfortunate occasion, they actually drew blood. Again: serious—and painful.
When I won a bib to run my first New York City marathon, I knew I couldn’t let this happen again. I quickly discovered that my proclivity for wearing sleep shirts from high school on runs was a problem. Running shirts constructed of performance, moisture-wicking materials helped decrease the amount of friction to which I was subjecting my areolas. Still, given the amount I sweat, especially in sweltering Brooklyn summer days, the agony continued.
I shared my dilemma with a friend in my running club, hoping for some sympathy. She looked at me somewhat puzzled, before uttering the five words that would change my life: “Have you tried Body Glide?”
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Body Glide, I’ve since learned, was created by a Californian surfer in the ‘90s who was constantly dealing with chafing from his wetsuits and boards. The unique formula he created in his kitchen, mainly from a viscous palm oil-derived compound, quickly caught on among athletes. These days, it’s mainly sold in deodorant-like sticks, making it extremely easy to apply anywhere you’re prone to chafing—from those nipples on down to other sensitive areas.
You can think of Body Glide as the Kleenex of the anti-chafe cream world—the name is just so apt—but it’s not the only option. I’ve also had a good experience with Squirrel’s Nut Butter, a slightly more expensive cream that’s made of all-natural, easy-to-understand ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, and beeswax… even if the name Nut Butter gives me some pause.
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Now, before I dress for any run, I schmear a healthy portion of either balm around my delicate nips. So far, this has all but resolved what used to sometimes hold me back from lacing up my sneakers. My body is gliding much more, indeed.
