Being of the female variety and runner I suffer with terrible chaffing when I have worn heart rate monitors in the past. I understand that running is tough and it is going to hurt at times, but I draw the line at wearing something that is going to have me whimpering in the shower at the end of my run.
Now trust me I am accustomed to the odd chaffing incident here and there (wearing a wonder bra for 26.2 miles will leave both physical and mental scars for a long time) but very much like wonder bras and ill-fitting shoes I will only do it once, learn and never do it again! So this was where I was at with my heart rate monitor it didn't matter how much Vaseline I still felt the familiar sting and I am sure feel the familiar sensation of your skin been rubbed away millimeter by millimeter is not going to do your heart rate any good,
So I put away my heart rate monitor into the back of draw and resigned myself to never really understanding my heart rate zones, but safe in the knowledge that I may be able to wear a bikini on holiday. Then I saw that purelime have incorporated a heart rate monitor holder into their compression running bra, worth look I would say.
Now running bras are not cheap and to be truthful I don't think that a running bra is the place to scrimp and try and save the pennies, it is suggested that ladies breasts will move quite considerable amount when running. Apparently they move in a figure of 8 and can oscillate up to 8 inches, want to see how your boobs move check this out….
So I thought an extra fiver to incorporate a heart rate monitor would be a bargain, not only in terms of getting a firm grasp of my boobs but also to get to grips on my heart rate monitor training. However, I feel that the extra pounds I am carrying and training in the spring showers, didn't really realise the chafe free running I was hoping… undeterred when I saw shock absorber had also incorporated a heart rate monitor I gave it another go… but the results where the same :(
I know I could get a watch which incorporates the heart rate monitor in the strap but as it stands I have had a new running GPS watch every year for the past 3 years, so this free sport of running is becoming quite an expensive habit.
So instead I am now going to try and loose a few pounds and hope that the weather improves, I'll keep you all informed if I can indeed have a chafe free run and if not Christmas is only 7 months away, and Garmin have brought out their latest watch with integrated wrist strap HRM.