Spare a thought for the ladies chaps πŸ€“ - Couch to 5K

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Spare a thought for the ladies chaps πŸ€“

β€’77 Replies

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 πŸ‘

Not entirely sure how to or if I can attach a link ( technophobe 😬)

77 Replies
β€’
AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate

Here's the link... 😊

runnersworld.com/uk/news/a3...

in reply to AliHC

Ahhhh well done AliHc not just a goddess with the diy but a techybrain as well πŸ‘

AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate in reply to

🀣🀣🀣🀣

Just click on the three dots... Drop down menu appears... Click on COPY LINK... Paste into the box 😊

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! 😒

in reply to AliHC

I'll consider myself educated πŸ€“

Mishkasmum profile image
Mishkasmum in reply to AliHC

Wow same. Amazed that 36dd is the average!

AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate in reply to Mishkasmum

Thank you ❀️ Glad it's not just me 🀣 Don't know what I'd do with 36DD's πŸ€ͺ

in reply to AliHC

Shssssss don't tell everyone but πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ“ I've successfully after AliHC tution mastered the art of link forwarding πŸ€—

AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate in reply to

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚Well done Imc50 😁

But can you do this...

youtu.be/m9aFvxz_jso

🀣🀣🀣

in reply to AliHC

That'll be a whoops or mere technical blip 🀭πŸ₯³

AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate in reply to

It was actually Olga Korbut on the unever bars in the 1972 Olympics 🀣🀣🀣

in reply to AliHC

You're totally Correct πŸ‘ probably my favourite gymnast πŸ€— knicknamed the "sparrow from Minsk" πŸ€“

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

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."

She said, "And so you should be!"

in reply to nowster

Definitely the correct and proper answer nowster 🀭

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply to

It was the truth! Since I started running, the way I look at any runner, male or female, has changed completely.

in reply to nowster

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 πŸƒπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to

"Comparison is the thief of joy".

You are a runner, running your way... and that is awesome!

PS

When I saw gazelle type runners, I always used to think... " Well, I bet you have only run for one K.. I have done 10! "

Now... I know I am a runner and a good one:) x

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

I love this quote Floss - it’s so very true. πŸ˜„

Sybilw profile image
SybilwGraduate in reply to

I’m also envious of other runners and feel lucky I can’t see myself! However early on I must have run past an acquaintance and when I saw her later she said I’d flown past looking very sleek (I can assure you I was neither). It’s all relative. πŸ˜†

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate in reply to nowster

πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ‘

in reply to nowster

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

FlyByMe99 profile image
FlyByMe99Graduate

did they get 20+ years for their bodies to get accustomed to them?

in reply to FlyByMe99

Link attached on AliHC for the whole article

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

🀣🀣 well I don't have 36DD's and with all this running they've shrunk πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ‘

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

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!

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

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!

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply to Roxdog

Now that’s very discouraging considering that I am busy losing weight, particularly glaring at my stomach. πŸ˜‚

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply to Elfe5

Sorry! It's just the skin which has been stretched - my tummy is a bit firmer. I'm ok in my clothes, no tummy bulge! πŸ˜‚

jwillmac profile image
jwillmacGraduate

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 !

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to jwillmac

Speaking as someone who is similarly β€˜blessed’, 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 doesn’t 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 πŸ˜±πŸ™ˆ. Any recommendations greatly appreciated πŸ‘

jwillmac profile image
jwillmacGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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 !

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to jwillmac

Ooh now that sounds like a plan! Thank you x

SingsAndRuns profile image
SingsAndRunsGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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! :-)

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to SingsAndRuns

🀣🀣 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

Enjoyingthis profile image
EnjoyingthisGraduate in reply to SingsAndRuns

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?

Thanks a lot for any advice!

SingsAndRuns profile image
SingsAndRunsGraduate in reply to Enjoyingthis

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.

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply to Enjoyingthis

I find Freya & Shockabsorber both good brands - I haven’t 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, β€œthe girls” aren’t going anywhere! πŸ˜„

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate in reply to Enjoyingthis

Wowee, that was one of the 1st items I bought...you'll be so much more comfortable and contained with a decent sports bra πŸ‘

jwillmac profile image
jwillmacGraduate in reply to SingsAndRuns

Yep, I like m&s running stuff , the leggings in particular !

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to SingsAndRuns

Hilarious!... 🀣🀣

But it would definitely improve my pace!... imagine... just gonna fly for a km or so πŸ‘πŸ‘

We are ripped off - decent sports bras are expensive and not at all comfortable πŸ‘Ž

Agree with you tho ... zip up front are a tiny bit easier than fighting with the racer back..

SmilelikeImeanIt profile image
SmilelikeImeanItGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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), it’s easy enough to do them up again without flashing too much πŸ˜‚. Wouldn’t risk them on own. Can’t wear them for football or karate as too much risk of them coming undone.

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to SmilelikeImeanIt

I would never run in just a bra, not fair to the general public πŸ™ˆπŸ€£πŸ€£

Thanks for the advice, will check out M&S!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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 zipπŸ₯΅

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to Jell6

Pre-run work out πŸ’ͺ🀣🀣

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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!

limberlou profile image
limberlouGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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!!) you’d be okay.

My trouble is that I get so sweaty when running, that it’s hard work wrestling myself out of the armholes when I get back, without dislocating my shoulders 🀣🀣

Mine are made by Shock Absorber

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to jwillmac

Absolutely!

It’s almost a military operation! πŸ™ˆπŸ€£

I’m exhausted after I’ve fought to get that on..

and nothing truly keeps these bad boys still πŸ™ˆ

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply to jwillmac

Yup! Getting into the upper iron corset is a challenge! πŸ˜‚

AliHC profile image
AliHCGraduate in reply to jwillmac

Even harder to get off when sweaty 🀣🀣🀣

Chipuba profile image
ChipubaGraduate

I have to wear two bras when I run πŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆ

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to Chipuba

Ooh not heard of that technique before . Sounds like you would be very contained!!

Chipuba profile image
ChipubaGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

That’s the plan πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply to Chipuba

Even if one is a Shock-absorber? πŸ˜„

Chipuba profile image
ChipubaGraduate in reply to Elfe5

Both are!!!😬😬😬

Blackberrypie profile image
BlackberrypieGraduate

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!

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie

Clearly this is an under-discussed topic! Glad I asked now x

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie

Definitely true for me - I fairly often run in my active sandals in the Summer, but I almost never run without a sports bra.

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Blackberrypie

All day long!

I don’t want to risk black eyes! πŸ™ˆ

... and I’ve still YET to find one I’m truly happy with 🀣

Blackberrypie profile image
BlackberrypieGraduate

Sports bras with pockets!

runnersworld.com/uk/gear/cl...

Sewnotfit profile image
SewnotfitGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie

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 it’s my short arms?!!

WeavingWonk profile image
WeavingWonkGraduate in reply to Sewnotfit

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?!

BonniesRest profile image
BonniesRestGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie

🀣 how on earth do you get the phone in the back? Looking at the first one - hilarious!

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate

Haha! I wrote a couple of posts about running with (.)(.)

I think I have a University degree in them! πŸ™ˆ

1. Getting a sports bra to fit and be fit for purpose is like a military operation!

I’ve done the jiggle test with so many!

We have 2 options...

Compression - ones that squash (wow these are SO restrictive could barely breathe)

OR

Built in cups - ones that encase and allegedly support - I look as ridiculous as Madonna( remember that bra?!)

They BOTH failed the jiggle testπŸ‘Ž

having tried both I’m less than impressed..

You don’t have to be a scientist to work out that boobies have a mind of their own!

They love nothing better than to jiggle and goes without saying the larger they are the bigger the jiggle 😳

An 8 year olds leotard works better than both for remaining jiggle free! πŸ‘Œ( and it’s so much cheaper)

Hula_hooping_rach profile image
Hula_hooping_rachGraduate in reply to Tinytears60

Hmm, now I’m pondering the perfect designπŸ˜‚.

Side zip enclosure - difficult to get in to I’d think.

Clip locks on straps (like maternity sports bras) - probably still tough to wriggle into.

What about a jelly like support in the lower cup - would give shock absorbing qualities, but perhaps this would just increase the bounce.

Hmm perhaps we could get guide rails put in, like on some running trainers, just to encourage them to stay in their placeπŸ˜‚.

Regardless of design I doubt they’d ever be very fun to try and wrestle on.

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Hula_hooping_rach

Love the thinking! πŸ€” πŸ’­

There’s a gap in the market - let’s jump in and make a killing! £££££££ 🀩

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply to Hula_hooping_rach

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!

in reply to Roxdog

Yikes Roxdog as a man πŸ§β€β™‚οΈβ™‚οΈ I'd definitely shy away from even considering designing such a garment...........

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply to Tinytears60

Shock absorber is the business!

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Roxdog

It was the best ... but still not great ( or maybe I just find them too restrictive πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ)x

Smile23 profile image
Smile23Graduate

We need a degree in engineering and also in joint mobility🀣 front fasteners scare me i have one that can come undone at will😳

Compression are like wearing a straight jacket !

I still believe they are designed by A cup gazelles not E cup plodders🀣🀣🀣

I live in hope πŸ€”

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Smile23

Sooooo true!

A cup gazelles ...

I’m definitely more of your E cup plodder πŸ€£πŸ‘πŸ‘

Dansac29 profile image
Dansac29Graduate

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!!! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

As for the back fastening ones...... I’m normally too exhausted to run after I have put it on!!!!!!!

jwillmac profile image
jwillmacGraduate in reply to Dansac29

Yip, my experience lol , asking my husband for help is a step to far lol .This thread has made me laugh out loud !

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate

I thought about that this morning when I crammed my beer belly into my shorts before a run πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80

Just wanna say. Great thread πŸ˜‚

EThomas profile image
EThomasGraduate

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!!

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Boobydoo.. 🀣

Thanks for sharing, I have to read this!

in reply to acountrycabbage

Pleased to be of assistance πŸ€—

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