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weather, when heavy sweating contributes to the problem. Every sport has

special hot spots to look out for. The bra line, underarms, and sock line are

the most common among runners. But you can also get chafed if your tights,

shorts, or shirt rub against your skin as you move. Only streakers are immune.

You can also develop a similar condition, blisters(a small buildup of water or

blood under your skin), when your feet rub against the seams in your shoes,

slide around in too-loose shoes, or feel friction against too-tight or bunched-

up socks. Small, deep blisters and large blisters are not only painful — they

can keep you off your feet and knock you off your training routine for days at

a time.

To prevent chafing, experiment with fabrics and cuts of clothing that don’t

irritate your skin. Softer fabrics that include at least some cotton tend to be

the kindest to your skin, but it’s a matter of personal preference. To prevent

chafing or blisters, before your workout, try greasing up your hot spots with

Vaseline or with a product like Sportslick or BodyGlide, all-purpose skin lubri-

cants that lasts longer than Vaseline and won’t come off until you wash with

soap and water. (Check with your local running or walking store; some all-

purpose sporting-goods stores also carry these products.) Long-distance

cyclists also slather their butts with udder balm, an ointment made for cows

but helpful for reducing chafing in humans. It feels kind of icky, but it usually

does the trick.

We know one runner who used to get a severe case of irritation on his nipples.

He solved this with the strategic placement of Band-Aids. Not very macho,

but then, neither were the two spots of blood leaking through his shirt.

RICE, RICE Baby .............................................................................................

If your doctor or trainer prescribes RICE for an injury, he isn’t suggesting

some New Age nutritional treatment. He’s referring to the common way to

treat sports injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Usually, this

treatment is all you need to get back on your feet, particularly if you RICE

diligently for the first 48 hours after an injury.

Rest ........................................................................................................

Stop doing activities that aggravate your injury. (If you sprain your ankle,

don’t try to “walk it off.”) Rest can often mean the difference between an

injury that heals right away and one that nags you for months. But don’t use

Chapter 5: This Doesn’t Have to Happen to You: Avoiding Common Injuries 67