Interestingly the last post on this painful and unsightly running injury continues to have the highest number of views.  So a follow-up is overdue and needed after 600+ more training miles and no nipple problems!

There are specialist (expensive) creams and roll-on things, special plastic covers (yes really) and even special (small) plasters.  There are also compression tops, running tops made from special materials and even running with no top on!  But what I’ve found that works 100% of the time for me, is good old fashioned Vaseline.  A plain old big tub of the stuff – that costs less than £2.50 – sitting with my running kit ready.  Just a good rub on either side about 5 minutes before a run – from 30 minutes ones up to 3 hour 30 minute ones – and no bleeding or soreness.  Result.  Don’t put it on and after the longer runs you know it.  One possible side effect – that I’ve not seen much of – is it can stain your running top.

What is this amazing product?  It dates back to the 1850’s and actually started as the residue that had to be remove from oil rig pumps.  Some bright sparks had been rubbing on them to heal cuts and burns.  Exactly what made them do is, is a whole other question.  But 150+ years on and it’s a runners’ dream product – with a  fair bit of refinement to give us what it is today (medicinal petroleum jelly).

And amazingly it’s good for other things – that you may not know about – like hayfever.  One I need to test again as it’s that time of the year…

Don’t forget your tub for the big day.  9 sleeps time for me for the London Marathon.