…Or How Anti-Chafe Cream Taught Me A Lesson About Looking Good.

So, last week I ran a 5k with some friends. First, I want to be completely transparent here and let you know I jogged it (people were walking faster than I ran). Second, while I did not set any land speed records, I did take 30 seconds off my most recent PR. Oh, and a bunch of kids and several 80-year-old plus runners totally left me in the dust. Whatevs. I did it. I ran (jogged) all the way, and I took some time off my split.

I bet you’re thinking “Great lesson, Lisa!” You pushed through, you persevered, and you finished….and then you remember the part about the Anti- Chafe cream.

I have “muscley” legs. Always have. I remember when I was much younger that my swim coach told my Mom that I had legs like an ox. I wasn’t ever quite sure how to take that but I think it meant I had a good kick. At least that’s what I’m going with.
AND since said legs are so “muscley,” they tend to rub together when I run. And long (for me the 5k IS long) distances tend to leave me with a bit if a chafing situation. And I don’t like it.

Once I decided I was going to keep doing this running thing (there is always beer or some kind of carb I won’t usually eat waiting after the end of each race so why wouldn’t I?), I thought I would have to address the chafing situation. That’s where I discovered For HER Anti-Chafe & Moisturizing Balm. It is my new best friend and I have pretty much been using it for every race or long run for the last two years.

Again, you’re probably saying to yourself “thanks for the tip, Lisa! We appreciate you!” But then you remember the lesson and now, you’re wondering again.

So here’s the deal. I like to put this stuff on very shortly before I’m to run. Most of the time, I have it in a little bag and I carry my phone, cream, and keys with me. Once we get closer to start time, I apply. It does not look pretty to reach down between your legs and take out what looks like a deodorant roller and rub it all over the inside of your thighs. It is NOT sexy. BUT it does work. Usually, I’ll hide behind someone, a tree, a car, whet have you and put it on. That one time I didn’t have any place to duck into; I didn’t put it on. I was in pain for a couple days. Why didn’t I put it on? Because I didn’t want to look bad or awkward or be the lady with the big legs.

You feeling me?

It was all about looking good or even better, not looking bad. That race taught me a lesson.

This past weekend, as we were getting closer to start time, I just reached down in the crowd of about 1500 or so and liberally applied my anti-chafe cream. I did not give a damn about looking bad, good, whatever. I wanted to do what was best for me and that was to put on the dang cream. And that is what I did and for 54 minutes and 25 seconds, I was totally comfortable because I stopped worrying about what other people think.

SO, to wrap this whole thing up and tie it in a nice ribbon for you, here’s the lesson.

Worrying about looking good usually doesn’t serve you. I can recall many times that I wanted to look cool and I didn’t do what I wanted or didn’t trust my gut. Every single time I have regretted it. Once, I learned that not worrying what others think of me is powerful and strong, I stopped having an issue with it. And I’m happier for it.

I’m not gonna lie and tell you I never worry anymore; I am certainly a work in progress. But I do get over it quicker and I do worry about others’ opinions less and less. And that is a SMALL step of progress.

OK, my next run is in July. Who wants in? I might even share my anti-chafe cream with you!