Question for lady runners

kailibertsch

I am not a long distance runner or anything, I only run for weight loss and usually not more than a mile at a time. My question is about a high endurance bra I bought yesterday. I bought it in my normal bra size and even though I adjusted the straps to provide the most length possible, I seemed to have to pull the girls up into them (this could be a gravity/child bearing issue I suppose). And after just 25 minutes on the treadmill my upper back (shoulder area) was so sore. I couldn't wait to get it off. Are high endurance bra's for running supposed to be that tight? Do I need to get a bigger size than what I normally wear? Or was it just a bad bra?

brightsideofpink

I have a large bust and my experience has been that proper sizing is very important for effectiveness (keeping them still during the run) and comfort. And not every brand is the same so it can be trial and error. Some good bras will have more room for adjustment though, including beyond the typical band and strap adjustments. My shock absorber bra is awesome because you can also adjust where the racerback area connects, and that has made a huge difference for me. Reading reviews on amazon can help you understand if a bra brand typically runs large or small. I personally find Freya to be spot on, shock absorber tight/small, and Panache to be a little big.

adge1475

Personally, I've never had to get a bigger size bra than what I normally wear. I'm a 34B in regular bras and a 34B in sports bras. It was the same when I was a 38DD; the sizes matched. You should expect to be comfortable - even high endurance bras shouldn't be that tight.
What brand did you purchase? Myself, and a lot of girls on this site, have a lot of success with the Moving Comfort brand, specifically their Juno bra, if you're particularly busty. Saved my life when I started running at 180 pounds with DD-cups.

kailibertsch

It was a Champion C9 racerback bra. Maybe I just need to invest a little more. I did get it mostly because it was on sale. HA! That'll teach me.

snarlingcoyote

It also depends on how your boobs are built. I'm a medium (36) band with big girls (DD) that don't shrink as I lose weight. Of course I have to tuck my girls up into a high impact bra. There'd be no benefit to using the bra if I didn't. I don't know what size you are or what shape your cantelopes are, but there are different kinds of high impact bras out there and what kind works best for you is often a matter of trial and error. There are compression bras (ace bandage types), then there are shelfy bras (these have a wide band to support you underneath) then there are the ones that separate your hooters into twain. Most are actually a combination of these. I have several favorites and they alll are pretty much a wide support underneath and then some compression around that. But I am big, you might not be.

I also don't know how tall you are, but it might be that the bra was too loose and your back hurt things were, ahem, moving a bit too much. . .I don't know. Maybe find someone female you know who runs and is around your size and ask her what she wears and how she wears her bra.

kailibertsch

Thank you all for your help!