Huh, that's new...

So, I'm sure that some of you lifelong jocks out there are going to laugh at what I'm about to write; but as someone who has only dabbled in fitness for the majority of my life - I'm sort  new at this whole athlete/side effects of being an athlete thing.  Oh sure, skating has taught me some lessons about blisters and weird growths on ankles and the fact that I reek to high heaven when I'm done working out; but once I started running longer distances a whole new world of pain opened up to me... First was the chafing of the chick-bits; which was so disconcerting that I didn't even know how or who to ask about it. I Googled it, found out I was NOT alone in that particular brand of pain; and found some solutions to fix it. So far so good. I have learned that I'm a snug fitting spandex girl and not a loose fitting running shorts girl: and that is okay. The less the material moves around the better off I am. So, on to my latest lesson in being athletic:

First of all, I'm generally very good about my after workout hygiene. I am one of those people who sweats a LOT - so I really kind of have to be. I do my gym workout after I get off work; so when I'm done I wipe down with some body wipes and change into clean dry clothes. Then as soon as I get home I hit the shower. Same with after skating and my long outdoor runs. I usually don't have a choice because as soon as I walk in the door my husband's face crinkles up like a prune and he points to the bathroom. Okay okaaaay, I get it: I am foul and nasty and I stink. But last Tuesday I was in a hurry, and drove home with my wet sports bra plastered against my chest. Then on Wednesday I ran 5 miles and when I got home my dog was begging for a walk. Instead of showering first; I just grabbed his leash and we went for a 20 minute walk - again, soaking wet sports bra plastered to my chest. I showered as soon as I got home but the damage had already been done, my chest was covered in these little bumps that itched like SATAN. At first I thought it was a breakout of zits; but zits don't itch... So again, I randomly Googled 'sweat rash' and lo and behold, that is a real thing. A real, annoying, painfully ITCHY thing. And it's kind of gross and extremely nasty - and it's my own fault...

So. What have we learned from this latest fiasco?

1. - Change out of wet workout clothes ASAP - no matter what. No access to a shower right away; then wet wipe the sweat away and put dry, clean clothes on.
2. - Do NOT wear the same sports bra more than once. I have a couple that I really like and I had it in my head that I could get at least 2 workouts out of each one. No more. Once and then into the laundry they go!!
3. - Make sure the sports bras are fitting correctly and not riding up or shifting around during a run.
4. - Now that the rash is here, all I can do is treat it by keeping it clean w/ anti bacterial cleanser. An anti itch spray seems to be helping too.
5. - I'm currently using a non-scented detergent; but then I use a scented fabric softener and scented dryer sheets. I think this might also be contributing. So I'm going to switch to unscented dryer sheets and no fabric softener and see if that helps.

I read that some people even get that sweat rash down south. NOO THANKS. I'm all about prevention now. *shudder*

I'm learning as I go... I guess next up is what, athletes foot? Butt crack chafing?? What else am I in for? I just hope I get it all tackled and straight before the half. I so do not want to run 13 miles with butt crack chafing....