I can remember as a little girl, adults yelling, “You think the rules don’t apply to you?!” It was usually after someone got caught doing something rather dumb. Well, very recently I had one of these moments myself.
For the last 8 years, I’ve prided myself as a bravangelist and guru of all things bra. I’ve spent time learning about sports bras, their features and benefits and why some work better for one cup and another a different cup. I’ve learned how to size and spent time giving women advice about which sports bras they should try. So after 8 years of perfecting my bra knowledge, why was I suffering from a chafed under-boob after a half marathon?
After completing a very successful team relay challenge back in September 2011, I found myself searching for the next challenge. I had worked so hard over the last year and was more proud of my mental and physical strides than I had been in a long time. It seemed like the perfect time for a new PR (personal record). So I set my sites on a sub 2-hour half marathon. A goal that had eluded me for many years. I had run the Kaiser Half Marathon on Super Bowl Sunday every year for the last 4 years in San Francisco and so naturally it seemed like the ideal race to make my mark.
Day of the race came and everything was in motion! I had my food plan, my hydration plan, I had done all the training, now I just needed to execute. The gun went off and I embarked on my journey. Everything was falling into place and I was having the best race of my life. Like in all half marathons, my body began to break down after mile 10 and getting from mile 11-12 was torture. Finally, I was on my last mile. While I couldn’t see the finish line because it was at the end of a hill, I could feel the adrenaline kick in as I realized I was going to make my goal time. As I crossed the finish line I stopped my clock. Final time 1:59:43, I had done what I set out to do. I could feel the tears welling up about the same time I could feel the burning sensation under my bra, but at that moment I didn’t care. I had accomplished something that I had my heart set on a long time and there was time for healing later.
Later that day, as I was applying Neosporin to my wounds, I was thinking about how stupid I was for running out the door in an old bra without Body Glide! I was so focused on my goal that I broke two of my cardinal bra rules. When running long distances, always use Body Glide under my bra strap. Even when you’re in a good bra, sometimes hours of repetitive motion can cause irritation and so always better to be safe than sorry. The second and most important rule is make sure that your bra hasn’t run too many miles. Over time bras naturally stretch out creating a loose band which reduces your support and allows for too much rubbing. You should always hang up old bras after a year and buy new ones. I clean in my old bras.
So while I wouldn’t change the outcome of my race, I have since been through my drawers and updated my bra wardrobe. I ordered two of my favorite sports bras, the Shape Up, and I found my Body Glide and put it in my gym bag. For me, being a bra-vangelist is not just about helping others out, but making sure that I’m also supported in all my athletic endeavors. Because after all, the rules do indeed apply to me too!
I workout with a heart monitor and the heart strap has changed so that it is no longer the flat plastic band across the chest. It is now an eleastic band with a transmitter that sticks out on the front.
I love my new monitor but have discovered a whole new issue with the architectural change to the transmitter. I am a size D – not huge but not petite either. I do not like bounce during activities so I go with the 4 – 5 barbell rating on bras. Unfortunately most 4-5 barbell rated bras also create a uni-boob. Wasn’t a problem until now.
The pressure from the bra smashes my chest into the transmitter. I recently ran a 10k race and (not feeling any pain during the race), took off the bra to see that significant bleeding had occured due to rubbing against the transmitter.
I’ve ordered Halleluja and Quest hoping that these will support, separate and let the transmitter work without injury. I’ll keep you posted.
My daughter and I are on the search for the perfect sports bra for my daughter. She has a really hard time doing any high impact activities because she is well endowed. (36DDD if not slightly larger.) She has tried sports bras that have been made for her size but they smashed her to the point it was difficult for her to breath!!!!! What Title 9 bra do you suggest for her to try? She enjoys working out (spinning, pump classes) and was an athlete in High School but she doesn’t want to be limited in her workout routines. She’d love to run but isn’t comfortable doing it…it hurts her back. Currently she wears 2 sports bras at a time….still gets some bounce but at least she can breath!! 🙂 Thank you for your help.
Lori
Lori,
Thanks for writing! I think we can help your daughter get back to the activities she enjoys without sacrificing her ability to breath! My favorite choices for you daughter would be the Trade Up Bra and the 2-in-1 Sports Bra.
The Trade Up would be a fantastic bra for your daughter because she’ll get a whole lot of compression for her high impact activities but the back is completely open so she won’t feel like she’s in a sweatbox. This bra is also a little “cuter” than some of the larger busted sports bras. Just FYI, the band runs a little snug. If you’re near a store, go try it on otherwise I’d order up a full band size.
Our 2-in-1 is great because it combines an inner wear bra with an outer wear bra. So even though she’s getting great support, she’ll still look like she has two boobs as opposed to the uni-boob! This bra cuts up a little higher on the chest so it isn’t always great if you have a low cut shirt on.
There are a few others that would work, but these are my two favorite for a larger bust, especially for a younger gal. Both of these bras will say E cup, which will translate to your DDD. Good luck!
My husband and I recently went to Belize for our honeymoon–which was a multisport adventure that consisted of caving, sea kayaking, river kayaking, hiking, and hammock surfing.
I have to add a bra-llelujah to the chorus of bravangelists: the Not-A-Bomber bra is a winner. It’s light and breathable enough to be comfy in the sticky heat and humidity. It stayed put in Class IV rapids and open water capsize drills. It dried quickly overnight–which is amazing given how much time we spent on and in the water. Since there are no wires, I didn’t have to worry about metal detectors at the airport.
The black lace did not go unnoticed…it was a honeymoon after all 😉
I’m 5’11”, 36A, working up to my next Ironman triathlon, and more than a little type-A when it comes to gear.
This is the best travel bra ever!
Joan,
Congrats on the wedding! I love it when sports bras are sexy! Good luck on training for your NEXT Ironman!
I cannot find a bra that fits. I’ve been to professional fitters and they tell me I wear a 34C. The C because I have a broad chest and anything smaller puts the cups on top of my breast instead of around it (I’ve tried them). The problem is that my breasts are small. So they don’t fill up most C cups, even with some padding.
The result? No support at all. I’ve tried your not a bomber bra but no luck.
Any thoughts?
Linda, it sounds like you might want to try some sister sizing. For you, I might try a 36B. If you increase that band, you’ll get the fit you need around your back and chest, but the B will ensure that the cups are not too big.
I would also want to know how that 34 band is fitting. If you are on the middle or loosest hook you’re golden and you should just change your cup to a B. If the bra is fitting on the tightest hook, the band is too big and you might want to try a 32C. If your struggling to get it on the loosest hook, your band is too snug and that 36B might just be your ticket.
Fit can be an absolute nightmare so I would highly recommend either calling one of our bra coaches 800-609-0092 or emailing them at thefolks@titlenine.com. The gals can also pass your info along to me and I chat with you further.
I am a tall-slender-stay-at-home-mom who wears a 36A bra. I have ordered clothes from title nine and love them. They really move with me as I follow my kids around and stand up to the mixed loads of laundry. Recently I have re-discovered the power of exercise and making time for myself. Can you please put an A cup “bravangelist” on your staff? I have tried all your bras that claim to fit A cups, but they don’t look good under clothing. I would love to wear more of your clothing and continue shopping with your catalog.
Hey Kristen, Congrats on finding some time in your busy day! We have a 34A bravangelist that will be in our April T9 book. She also loves the Shape Up Bra for many of the same reasons that I do (I’m a pretty small B).
The bra is a basic pullover that’s easy to get on and off and there is just enough modesty that I don’t get completely smashed. For a pullover, it also has a great low neckline so I don’t have to worry about what t-shirts I wear with it and the back is pretty minimal so I don’t sweat to death. Look for our A cup gal Gail in the next few books, I’m sure she’ll have a great recommendation for you!
I am a bravangelist that shares the importance of wearing the right bra with the rest of my fitness gear. I am a Training Walk Leader for the Susan G Komen 3-Day event. I help prepare women (and men) to happily walk 60 miles in 3 days. Somewhere near the middle of our 24-week training program, I will bring my Title 9 catalogue to a training walk. We have talked about shoes, socks, T-shirt fabric, body glide, and a host of other apparel needs. By that point, it’s time to talk about supporting “the girls”. Title 9 is where I buy all my bras. I am a 38D and cannot find anything else that feels good after walking 15-20 miles in one day! Thank you for being there! I would be in a lot of pain without your products!