Thought I'd just share this article that pinged via satellite into my inbox from runners world, it's an eye opening read, ladies you definitely 110% have my admiration for the complication of simply being a female π
Not entirely sure how to or if I can attach a link ( technophobe π¬)
Just click on the three dots... Drop down menu appears... Click on COPY LINK... Paste into the box π
Quite an interesting article! To be honest, even as a woman, I don't really feel qualified to pass comment. As a Size 32A I'm quite a lot smaller than their 'average' Size 36DD woman! I can't begin to imagine what a lot of women go through every day! π’
I was just commenting this evening to my partner about a couple of ladies who were running together on the pavement when we drove past on the way to the supermarket this evening.
I said, "I don't know if they're smiling or grimacing."
She said, "The way their breasts are moving, probably grimacing."
I said, "Oh, I didn't look there. I was looking just at their gait and their faces."
Ditto nowster, I'm generally watching enviously of other runners and the gazelle like nature with which they effortlessly motor along , thinking if only that were I ππββοΈπββοΈ
Iβm also envious of other runners and feel lucky I canβt see myself! However early on I must have run past an acquaintance and when I saw her later she said Iβd flown past looking very sleek (I can assure you I was neither). Itβs all relative. π
Any stuff that wobbles can present a challenge. The useless stuff on my tum proved more uncomfortable than the rather brilliant 5+ years of sterling all purpose child rearing wobblers on my chest. Fortunately a) I joined this forum and got the 'big firm control knickers' advice and b) running helped reduce the quantity to a level of wobble that may be visible to others but isn't uncomfortable for me, and the firm control knickers can stay in the drawer. That said, they were great for getting me out for a run - if it was supposed to be a run day, on they went in the morning and eventually I'd get so sick of them I'd go for a run so I could have a day off them!
Oh the baby tummy! It never goes away. I'm only a size 10 but the useless tummy wobble is kept in by my running leggings! Sorry, too much information, but it is a thing!
I haven't read the article as yet, but on a connected note , a sports bra is an absolute pain to put on ! Well those designed for the larger lady are ! With zips, hooks and eyes, it's a work out in itself to put the blooming thing on ! A necessary evil in my case ! However, I'm taking it as justification for why I run slowly lol !
Speaking as someone who is similarly βblessedβ, finding an easy to put on, non-rib cage crushing sports bra is the holy grail. Add in the complication (if you have long hair) of pulling clumps of it out when it gets trapped under the straps. (And tying it up doesnβt seem to work because the bra is so tight that it pulls the hair band out when you pull it over your head).
I keep looking at front fastening zip ones but have read horror stories about them unzipping mid run π±π. Any recommendations greatly appreciated π
I have nothing to offer , sorry ! It's like trying to put a racer back swimming costume on! Requires a lot of working out ! I've resorted to a maternity bra in the end , good support and not torture to put on !
Ooo I've got two zip up ones, front zip, 40DD. There's a bit of jeopardy when you squash everything together, grab the zip and pull, but once they're in, they're in! So much easier than the over the head ones.
I've only had the zip work its way down twice, it goes quite slowly but you feel it long before you're in danger of losing the lot, and you can just zip it up again. I do wear a t-shirt over- I know some people just run in the bra top, that might be a bit risky.
Mine are from Marks and Spencer, as is all my running stuff which is very nice, and having done a bit of research into other, posher gear (birthday coming up!) seems to be very reasonably priced!! Β£70 for a pair of leggings??!! I'd want those rockets they had on BBC Breakfast yesterday morning attached to them, for that price!
π€£π€£ yes some of the prices are eye watering! I struggle buying any clothes really , including sports stuff as I am really short and everything is sooo long on me. Good for winter, as long sleeves cover my hands, but a pain the rest of the year! I shall take a look on the M&S site, thanks for the tip x
This is very useful advice. Im a DD too and have no sports bra yet. I wear wired bras which are a pain when running. Would you recommend Marks and Spencer sports bra? Any other brand?
Hiya, yes I would recommend them- I have nothing to compare them with but they've been really comfy, and I feel very supported whilst still being able to breathe They've washed well too. I've got both the very supportive front zip ones they have in stock at the moment, the black one is boring but slightly more comfy, the coloured one is great fun and still feels good.
I find Freya & Shockabsorber both good brands - I havenβt tried any others.
Yes they are a wriggle & effort to get into, but I find fasten them at the front and swivel with the help of talc works for me. Once on, βthe girlsβ arenβt going anywhere! π
I have a couple of front zip ones I wear for running - they have only come undone a couple of times. If you wear a T-shirt over (essential), itβs easy enough to do them up again without flashing too much π. Wouldnβt risk them on own. Canβt wear them for football or karate as too much risk of them coming undone.
I wear a front fastening bra, I think you should be safe as long as you lock down the zipper pull. I'm not particularly blessed, but they are still a bugger to wrestle the 2 sides of the zip in place, keep there and zipπ₯΅
Shock absorber! It's the holy grail if running bras and researched at Portsmouth University. It takes a bit of getting used to to do up, but if you leave the top back strap dine up, you can pull it over your head, breathe in to do up the lower strap and is then super comfortable. I ordered my usual size (E cup) and all is well!
I have front fastening zip up sports bras which have a couple of hook and eye type fittings which you do first so even if the zip does unzip ( it never has!!) youβd be okay.
My trouble is that I get so sweaty when running, that itβs hard work wrestling myself out of the armholes when I get back, without dislocating my shoulders π€£π€£
It always annoys me when I read articles aimed at beginner runners that completely forget to mention that for 50% of their target audience a good running bra is absolutely essential equipment. I'd definitely rather go for a run without my running shoes than without my bra!
Oh crikey the options are increasing! I do find the over the head ones pretty much impossible to get on and off though, definitely need one with some sort of fastening on it I think. Perhaps itβs my short arms?!!
Haha! I went to see the doctor about my painful shoulder the other morning and stopped for a run along the river on the way home. Had to call my husband into the bathroom to help me out of my sweaty over the head bra and close fitting running dress! I have ordered a zip front bra to try and avoid having to do that again! What if he's not home?!
Do you remember years ago a whole TV series where 2 (male) designers developed a new bra called bioform! It was going to be the next big thing. In desperation, I bought 2. They were expensive and so uncomfortable!
OMG sports bras! I have front and back opening ones! I have had a zip incident with my front opening one...... suddenly found myself very unsupported! Fortunately, it was when we were in almost total lockdown, so nobody round to witness it!!! ππ
As for the back fastening ones...... Iβm normally too exhausted to run after I have put it on!!!!!!!
Boobs and sports bras are such a pain. I know they have their plus points, but not really for running. It is so difficult to get the right fit, comfort, ease to get into, jiggling capacity for any sports bra.
I managed to find an excellent bra by Brooks with rear fastening like an ordinary bra. I fasten it at the front then turn it round. I doesn't look great but is so comfortable and was worth every penny. Before that I tried the 2 sports bra trick, which was horrendously hot in summer and I felt unable to breathe due to the compression.
I'm fairly lucky for a runner as I am not 'blessed' with large boobs. The other more drastic option would be for a double mastectomy!! At least there would be no more jiggling!!
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