Thursday, September 24, 2009

Blood And Guts

If you have read this blog with any regularity, you know about my bloody problem.

In running long distances, I am my worst nemesis.

Actually it is my nipple who is trying to hold me back. I'm still looking for a solution to my problem. But I think I am close.

I've tried many things to keep my nipple from bleeding like crazy. I switched shirts from one fabric to another, tried band aids, vaseline, Body Glide. The Body Glide actually helps ease the immediate pain but does nothing to prevent the bleeding, and once the Body Glide has worn off, I feel pain.

Not fun.

But one of my fellow Lopers suggested band aids, so I'm going to try that again. I just have to go find some at the store. I need some that will stick and that cover a lot of space. I used a small one Wednesday but it fell off during the run.

I feel that I must rid myself of this problem soom. My nipples will only continue to take a beating throughout the rest of the year and into next year, so I'm worried that it'll get to the point where the pain becomes unbearable.

I'm going to try band aids on Sunday. I hope I can find some good ones, for my nips' sake.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Luis, I am sorry this problem continues without ceasing! I certainly hope you can get this under control as I am sure the pain is unbearable. Have you considered a "sports bra"? I'm actually somewhat serious here. Bloody nipples and black toenails! Geesh!

Willoughby said...

I have an idea of something that may work for you. What about a compression wrap or garment? They are made to fit snug and not move, therefore, no friction. I did a quick google search and came up with this website http://www.compressiongarments.com/. They have all sorts of products, including some made specifically for men (t-shirts, vests, etc.). Just a thought...

Lissaloo said...

Yeah there has to be a solution, what a painful thing to have to deal with constantly. I hope you find something that works well, and soon! :)

tahoegirl said...

after your runs do the nips heal or are they always kinda sore? at the pharmacy we make a "Nipple Ointment" for breastfeeding mothers. it requires a Rx but may be worth checking out. ingredients are all 1:1:1 nystatin ointment, betamethasone valerate ointment and bactroban ointment. may also just try lanolin which is OTC in the baby asile. what type of t-shirts do you wear while running? Nike makes these DRI-FIT running shirts that i LOVE. they are soft and kinda snug fitting (not too snug, though) and longer in the back than the front. i noticed the men's are a little different than the women's, but it also might be worth a try. good luck! (don't fogret about those Pasties i told you about a while ago!) :o)

tahoegirl said...

BTW i was doing some reading on SI.com and came across your work-- YOU WRITE FOR SI!! how super-duper-cool is that? now if you were a baseball writer that would be even more cool. better yet if you wrote about the Tigers :oD (sorry, i do not know a thing about soccer besides there are two goals and it is good if the ball goes in them) LOL!

L.B. said...

Thanks for all your suggestions. I actually have a really tight shirt that I've never worn, a workout shirt I got as a gift, and I might try that. It's like super tight, it was intended to be worn under some sort of martial arts gear but i'm not into that so I never used it. I might try that out on Friday. I did find some band-aids at the store today and i will try that out here, if not Friday then Sunday.

TG, the nips are sore for days but it's not a constant soreness. It's mostly like a recurring thing that is triggered by something, either I sweat a lot or my shirt is rubbing against me or something, and that's just doing everyday things. I'll have to take my shirt off sometimes (only indoors!) when it gets to be too bad. It does scab over though but the process repeats itself every week.

And yeah, nice find on SI :) I'm actually working on something for them right now :D

Angie Eats Peace said...

Yikes, I hope the band-aids work, that doesnt sound fun. At all.

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

As a breastfeeding mother who has had her share of sore nipples, I empathize with you. Have you tried pasty (sp?) stickers? They look like flower petals and stick directly on your skin, they don't come off easily, either. They're for women, but if it works it's worth it, right?