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dress to impress
If you have ever taken part in, or just witnessed, a big 5k or 10k running event, the one thing you will certainly have noticed is the diverse range of running attire people choose to wear during the race. From waves of pink cowboy hats to women (and men) wearing nothing on their torso but a brightly coloured brassiere, it won’t surprise you to hear that the dress code at virtually all events is fairly lax, and pretty much anything goes. As long as you don’t
break any public decency laws, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing whatever takes your fancy. Whatever you anticipate wearing on the day of the race, training in unconventional running kit is generally not advised. Your skin and the other moving parts might be able to handle 90 minutes or so of jogging on race day, but 10 weeks plus of preparation in unsupportive bras, loose boxers and
Why sports bras are best Those tired old jokes about the need for ‘overthe-shoulder boulder holders’ for generously endowed women may well be rife, particularly when it comes to running, but the importance of wearing a good-quality and well-fitted running bra, no matter what your size, must not be underestimated. According to a survey by a leading sports bra manufacturer Shock Absorber, a staggering 68 per cent of women do not wear a sports bra during exercise, a statistic that must be addressed in order to preserve the long-term health of breast tissue. Shock Absorber commissioned research from the University of Portsmouth and teamed up with Dr Joanna Scurr, a leading breast health expert. They found that, while running, breasts move in a continuous ‘figure of eight’ pattern,
which can lead to rubbing or chafing as a result of the repetitive motion. In addition, repeating this motion for long periods of time gradually stretches the Cooper’s ligaments, which are ultimately responsible for supporting breast tissue. Once these ligaments have been stretched, there is no going back and the resulting breast sag is irreversible. Sports bras are designed to significantly reduce breast movement during physical exercise, and help to protect your breasts from both breast pain and stretched ligaments. So, ladies, for the long-term health of your breasts, it’s a really good idea to invest in a high-quality sports bra; they might not be cheap but they are certainly worth it.
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5 and 10k book.indb 9
12/9/2010 11:52:59 AM