The dreaded "C" word...

Runners are good at enduring self inflicted pain.  We run in the freezing cold and stifling heat.  We run through injuries.  We push our bodies to the limits with interval and hill workouts.  We do long runs that wipe us out for the rest of the day.  We run at the crack of dawn and late at night so we don't miss a day.   We love to push ourselves.  On so many levels, runners are tough.

However, the real measurement of toughness often comes after the running is over...

We cool down a bit, stretch (if you don't, you should!), eat our 3:1 carbs:protein, and then prepare for a nice, hot shower to clean off the sweat and dirt accumulated on the run.  Most often, the shower is a relaxing experience.  But, every once in a while we get surprised with a burning pain the moment the water hits our skin - "AHHHH!!!" ...

It is like that scene in Home Alone where Kevin uses aftershave for the first time!  The pain is raw and intense and often elicits some screaming and/or swearing.  Damn chafing.  Family members yell in to the bathroom to make sure everything is ok.  We grit our teeth and assure them that we are fine as we try to contort our bodies to avoid getting the chaffed part wet, yet still try to get clean.
Sometimes the pain doesn't hit us right away and we are soaking up a relaxing shower ... until we turn around and find out the back of our shorts waistband or the fuel belt were rubbing too much.  "AHHHH!!!"

Every runner has their own 'trouble spots', and we do everything possible to try to prevent the dreaded chafing.  There is nothing that pulls you down off a runners' high like the humbling pain of hot water pinging off freshly chafed skin. 

This year, 'chafing weather' has started a bit early.  So, remember your spandex, Body Glide, Vaseline, Bandaids, and Nip Guard as you head out the door this weekend for your long run...