In the majority of the races I run, blisters and chaffing are rarely a concern for me. Anything under a marathon in normal temps/climes I never have to worry about things rubbing and causing issues, think shirt on nipples, inner thighs rubbing, your feet, etc. However, each time I've taken a foray into the ultra running world or one of the smaller trail races with weather or water on course, I will usually end up with something chaffing or blisters on my feet. Let's face it, if you rub a prune against something long enough, it's skin will rip open.So what's a guy (or gal for that matter) to do on race day when weather is imminent or you are going to sweet like a stuck pig and you know things are going to rub? You reach for some kind of lubricant, much like greasing up parts on your car because metal rubbing against metal for too long might cause some fire.
My last 50k was War at Windrock the first weekend in April. After about 5 miles in, my feet were soaked and stayed that way throughout the rest of the race. Prior to the race, I applied the Body Glide to the bottoms of my feet, liberally around the toes and balls of the feet. Also on my nipples, between my thighs and other areas that I would normally chafe. Once done, I added it to my drop bag which would be available to me at the 20 mile point.As I said, my feet stayed soaked, and my boneheaded self decided not to change socks or reapply the Body Glide to my feet. Regardless of that, I still ended up with one blister on the ball of one foot and another blister on my 4th toe on the other foot. I can easily say that if it weren't for the Body Glide, my feet would have been in a lot worse shape. Thankfully, everywhere else I applied it came away from the 50k chafe free.
A little bit about Body Glide directly from their website: (http://www.bodyglide.com/products/original/)
Intended as a barrier to the effects of rubbing that causes chafing. Its formulation makes it easy to apply for all-day protection from skin on skin rubbing, chafing from clothing, or pinching and friction from shoes, protective gear, and other irritants.
Glides On Easy®
- Not Wet
- Not Oily
- No Petroleum
- No Parabens
Natural Ingredients
- Water Resistant
- Neoprene Safe
- No Animal Products
- No Animal Testing
Directions for Use:
Apply to intact skin before activity or anytime. Wash off with mild soap.
Ingredients:
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ozokerite Wax, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Stearyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Tecopherol (Vitamin E)
The Body Glide: Anti-Chafing Original Balm comes in a stick very similar to deodorant and goes on the body in a very similar fashion. Apply as little or as much as you want.
I can honestly say, there isn't a long run I go on where I don't apply Body Glide. If you've ever taken a shower after a long run and have experienced the tiny little daggers sticking you over and over again where you've chafed, you will want to start using Body Glide too.
It retails rather inexpensively on their website at $5.99 for their smallest stick or you can also purchase from Amazon at the same price.
So if you like to run like I do, do yourself a favor and knock out chafing with Body Glide.
Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
P.S. Be sure to like Body Glide on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for all their latest news and info.
Disclaimer: Tim received the Body Glide: Anti-Chafe Original Balm from Body Glide for review purposes only. Tim is not being compensated by for this review. The opinions expressed above are Tim's independent thoughts and experiences.
