Say no to chaffing

If you are new to the world of long distance triathlon, or simply have incredibly robust skin, you may not be intimately familiar with wonderful anti-friction products such as BodyGlide.   You can apply this stuff anywhere and it will prevent fabric-on-skin or skin-on-skin chaffing (‘chub-rub’ as we affectionately call it).  Most people use it on race day to lube up their forearms and calves for easy wetsuit removal, and to prevent chaffing on the back of their necks from wetsuit zippers.  Many  also apply it around their armpits where jerseys and sports bras make contact.

If you have  sensitive skin, applying body glide between your legs, along any areas where seams and chamois in your bike shorts may rub, around the draw-string of your shorts, where a race number belt may make contact with your waist, and around your ankle where your timing-chip strap goes - are all important measures to take to keep your lower half happy.  In addition to the armpit and sports bra areas, you may want to apply body glide to your neck and the front of your chest if you have a zipper that opens up the front of your jersey. Men may also find that nipples are an essential area to cover, especially if they change into a more loose fitting jersey for the run. If you wear a heart rate monitor it can be good to apply body glide in a band right around your ribcage.

In non race scenarios, body glide is great to have in your swim bag to avoid chaffing from your chlorine resistant, but rough, polyester swim suit.  I get funny looks every morning when I appear to be applying deodorant to strange places, but I find that my neck and armpits get roughed up with anything over 4000m.  A between the legs application of body-glide can be the solution to those little run shorts that just aren’t comfortable for anything over 10k otherwise. Body glide is also great for avoiding blisters on your feet from new shoes or swim fins.

I (Heather) have exceptionally sensitive skin and wish I could just be dunked in a vat of the stuff before a race. I inevitably find all of the spots that I missed afterward in a painful, stinging, post-race shower. I’ve got a nice ring of timing chip scars on my ankle and multiple scars on my back from swims in new wetsuits and swimskins without adequate application of lubricant – so be smart and apply BodyGlide liberally!

FYI- BodyGlide is also useful if you dye your hair! Apply a band around your forehead, neck and ears and you won’t get any stains on your skin.