When discussing marathon, or any distance training, people rarely mention a critical health problem that can arise. It's an injury which has kept me from completing a long run even when I was well-conditioned and mentally prepared. Hell, it's something that makes me think twice about walking from my desk to the bathroom.
I am talking about chafing. You know, injury caused by skin to skin contact. My sister calls it "chub rub." Either way, it happens and it hurts. It sneaks up on you, too. One minute, you'll be running along thinking about your next water break and wondering why you decided to have that last beer at happy hour the night before, and then--BAM--you're fairly certain you've removed your top layer of skin with a sand-paper covered dremel tool.
The chafe always happens in spots that are totally inconvenient for your non-running life. Side of your bra, upper thigh, small of your back... this post is quickly turning into running erotica. In any event, the chafe sucks and we should prevent it.
Enter a marvel of modern invention. Lubricant (I guess there is a little erotica involved). Some people swear by Vaseline (they even hand it out on popsicle sticks at the actual event). I have found that the best lubricant is Vaseline's classier, Aquaphor. Aquaphor contains less petroleum (41% to Vaseline's 100%) and has more staying power. When you get hot, it won't just melt off. It's a little thicker, less greasy, and smells better.
There are also some fancy "skin protectors" on the market that come in various applicators and cost a billion dollars. Samples of these are nice, and you do look cool pulling them out of your water pack when training. But you know what's even cooler? Pulling out a sandwich baggie with a spoonful of Aquaphor, then using the money you saved to buy a breakfast taco after the run.
Either way, as with sex, I don't care how you do it, just use protection.
