Thursday, December 4, 2008

A vicks-y solution?


I made myself a promise: before I went on my next run, I'd get some vaseline to slather on my nipples. Okay, that sounded strange (and if you have no idea what's going on, skip down a few posts and catch up). I went back on my promise, but just a bit.

I don't have vaseline at home but I do have Vicks. So I used some of the pungent green stuff to rub on myself to avoid any sort of bleeding issues that may arise from my chest. You see, growing up in a Mexican household Vicks is kind of a jack of all trades. My mom used to rub it on my chest whenever I had a cough, she'd put a dab under my nose when I'd get a cold, on my throat when I had a sore throat... basically any sort of injury I had she thought could be solved by using Vicks.

Now, I'm not sure if it's going to work. Hell, as I write I'm feeling it going to work and it actually feels a bit irritating. I can only imagine what it will feel like when sweat hits it... maybe this wasn't the greatest idea.

But what's done is done. I've got my gear on and am ready to do my pre-run stretches. I plan on going for a 3- to 4-mile run, which usually is accompanied by post-run nipple soreness. I'll fill you all in on how it went once I get back... if I come back intact.

UPDATE

I'm back from my run now. I got in 4.43 miles and I ran it in 39:02. Not the fastest time, however, I did get stopped a traffic light for about 30 seconds or so.

Anyway, I'm not bleeding but the area was still tender. I felt it toward the end of my run a bit and when I got home I took off my shirt, confirmed it wasn't bleeding and it immediately felt sore. It's been about maybe 10 minutes since I got home (I got a drink and devoured an apple in that time) and it's still quite a bit tender.

My conclusion is that (sorry Mom) Vicks did not help. If anything, it caused this pain. It stings and that's what Vicks does, it stings. Maybe after a shower the Vicks will wash off and it won't ache any more.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I was just discussing on AR how my husband has the same problem (under the post about the bread)! Crazy... Laura D.

Unknown said...

I don't get it... why do I show up as lauraperson2 when I comment on your blog but Laura D. when I comment on Pam's? What's up with that?

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness LB! I hope you don't have any odd side affects w/ that vicks. We use it a lot in our home too, but I'm imagining some sort of stinging/really cold side affect from it. Enjoy your run! By the way...I was able to get in 2.5 miles today walking w/ 2 min jogging intervals using a DVD I have. Woo HOO!!

Unknown said...

This may sound strange and i'm not sure if you want to go this far. But you should go to Walmart in the lotion aisle and get Palmers nursing cream. I think it would do the job. Here's a link: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp72304_333181_sespider/palmers/cocoa_butter_formula_nursing_cream_with_pure_cocoa_butter_and_pro_vitamin_b5.htm

L.B. said...

Not strange at all. I'd actually thought about that. My wife used something similar after we had our first. She was in agony for a few weeks and she used a nursing cream to help her adjust. It came in a purple container and she swore by it. I was wondering if that would help. I doubt we have any around but I may very well try that. I'm all showered now and feel fine, not nearly as sore as when I finished. I'll have to experiment next time with vaseline.

Unknown said...

Oh LB! I love Vicks but would never dream of putting it on or near any sore or open wound. OUCH! That's like putting BenGay on your lips! Egads, man! Vaseline helped my chafing thighs but I think you and these ladies are on the right track with the nursing cream idea. Who would have ever thought that we'd be talking nipples on a man's running blog? Go figure!

Unknown said...

LOL 5thsis! So true!