I have two vivid memories from the first time I
watched a marathon, which was in the mid nineties, long before I became a
runner. I was at the
Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, working for a
marketing company that had me handing out flyers at the marathon. I had no
interest in running of any kind, and no concept of running 26.2 miles.
I placed myself close to the finish line figuring I
could hand out my flyers to people as they finished running, and before I knew
it I became entranced by the runners passing by. People of all ages, shapes and
sizes were approaching the finish line, and I couldn’t help but wonder how in
the world they had been able to run that far. Why did they want to work that
hard to accomplish something like this? What was it doing to their bodies?
I remember an overwhelming feeling of emotion, of
pride and amazement for these running strangers. I stuffed the flyers into my
pocket and started clapping and cheering for every runner. I cried that day,
for the runners, and also for myself for not being able to even conceptualize
the feat that these runners had undertaken. What had compelled them, both
physically and mentally to get to that point, 26 miles, on foot to achieve
something that felt impossible to me? I was so proud of every one of them,
crying and laughing and feeling joy about something I didn’t even understand. The
memory is so vivid, even all these years later, that I can recall it in an
instant.
My other incredibly vivid memory from that day is of bloody
nipples.
I remember seeing runners come by with bloodstains on
the fronts of their shirts, nipples bleeding from 26 miles of chafing, and that
memory, even if you have not felt it yourself, is one you cannot forget.
Before this story becomes too horrifying, I’ll tell
you that I also remember seeing a funny guy dressed in full costume as Uncle
Sam, “running” on stilts, and Big Bird from Sesame Street came running by as
well. Neither seemed to be suffering from bloody nipples (but who knows what
was going on under those costumes).
See? Even distractive thoughts of funny costumes and
birds running marathons can’t make you stop thinking about bloody nipples,
right? I know. Because years later when I started running, I would recall that
day at Marine Corps, and think, no, no, no. No matter how much I love to run, I
must do whatever it takes to make sure I never suffer from bloody nipples.
So, now that you’re here in TMI-ville, grab a comfortable
seat and a drink and I will further entertain you with the unnecessary little
piece of information that, once I started running I would faithfully apply bandages
to ensure the avoidance of bloody nipples. And the one time I forgot them, for my first
Half Marathon, I regretted it sorely. You know that post run shower and how
good it feels until OHMYFUCK the hot water hits a chafe spot? Yes. I did not
forget the bandages again. Over the years I became a bandage machine. I would
strategically place them all over my body where I thought I might possibly get
a hot spot. I looked like a neon clad Frankenstein.
Recently though, I met the people at a company called
2Toms. I was the lucky recipient of samples of their products they were
offering through a group called
RunChat on Twitter. 2Toms makes products that prevent blisters and chafing. So, wow! I have to tell
you, using a powder or a liquid to prevent blisters and chafing is a lot easier
than sticking (and unsticking, ouch) preventive
bandages all over your body. A few months later, when 2Toms said they
needed product testers, I raised my hand and volunteered.
The first product I received was 2Toms
Sport Shield for HER! Roll On. This product is specifically for women, but guys, keep please
reading as well, and I promise I’ll try to work in another nipple reference or
two.
Let me just say up front, the product is genius.
I LOVE IT. I
can effortlessly roll it wherever I need to. It feels great. The effectiveness
is 100%. I tested it on many runs under various types of clothing. One of the
spots on my foot where I tested it was on a hot spot that a particular pair of
shoes had been giving me and it was the cure. I tried it on my quads where my
shorts end and under my arms where the underside of my skin hits my shirt as
well.
I was really
happy to see that it didn’t leave a residue on any of my clothing and though it
feels silky and smooth on the skin, it’s not greasy at all. Once it’s applied,
you don’t even notice that its there. You can use it everywhere, and I’m sure
you’re not surprised to hear, it does a perfect job protecting nipples! It’s a
great size to use at home before a run or to tuck into a race pack or drop
bag.
By the way, 2Toms makes Sport Shield Roll On for guys
too. The difference is that the “for
HER! Roll On” has added calendula, Shea butter and green tea extract - which I
think are lovely for both men and women, so if you guys are interested, try the
ladies product as well! And likewise, ladies, you are more than welcome to try
the original Sport Shield Roll On. Seriously, why not get one of each and
switch back and forth? You can't go wrong, because 2Toms offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Before I end
this 2Toms infomercial, I’ll add that Sports Shield comes in individually
packaged towelettes as well, which are easy to stick in the pocket of your
running shorts in case you feel a hot spot during a long run. You can open the towelette, slide the end out
and swipe it onto your skin, then tuck the towelette back into the package to
use again later.
I had no idea
while watching the Marine Corps Marathon all those years ago, that I would one
day become a runner. I would finish 2 marathons of my own. I would feel that
overwhelming sense of physical achievement and hard work paying off for myself
the way I had felt it for those other runners that day.
I had no idea
that the full circle of the bloody nipples would culminate in a blog entry that
mentions them this many times, and that mine would be prevented by a product that a
cool company entrusted me to test and share my opinion about. So, here’s to
chafing and what it can do for you! May you feel emotions about the
achievements of others, may that lead to your own achievements and may all of your hot
spots be always protected.
2Toms is on Twitter, right here.
And I'm on Twitter too, right over here.
