Question:
I'm a somewhat large runner (6'1,
190) and I've been wearing Lycra
type running shorts/tights ever
since I was in college because they
are the only thing that I can wear
that doesn't cause inner-thigh chaffing.
In fact, I have zero problems with
chaffing. About a year ago, I decided
that I should give the regular running
shorts another try, so I bought
a really nice pair. After the *first*
run (a short one at that), I had
chaffing. Never again.
While I'm happy wearing Lycra shorts
for the rest of my running career,
my question is why others don't.
I mean, I don't think its possible
to chaff on the inner thigh while
wearing the tights and yet I constantly
hear about my friends having chaffing
problems from wearing the regular
shorts. Most of them have resorted
to using the power glide stuff to
alleviate the problem.
So, I'm interested to know why others
don't wear tights. Is it shyness?
Why don't the elites wear them?
(Some women do, and all sprinters
of course) Is the compression compromising
performance in some way? (I wouldn't
think so). Do they hold in heat
more?
Answer:
I have to wear compression shorts
for the same reason - my thighs
have developed to the point that
a slow 10 mile run in regular shorts
causes them to bleed. However, I
do hate them. They are too hot and
restrictive.
Notice that the elite sprinters
wear them. I don't see the distance
runners wearing them at all.
Here's a skinny
guy who wears them, especially in
winter. My thighs are fairly well
developed from biking I guess, and
I get chafing problems in cool/cold
weather. I'm used to wearing them
on triathlons - chafing on the bike
seat is far more serious of a problem
than running ever will be. I swim,
bike, and then run in them on shorter
tri's.
In the winter, I wear them all the
time. I don't find them noticeably
warmer in the summer than running
shorts - I've never even thought
about it. As far as support goes,
unless they're worn out, I find
they're no different than running
shorts - probably better.
The only performance issue is that
if you're chafing - you can't run
as fast.
Therefor, it's smart to prevent
the chafing.
