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| Beautiful sunrise over the lake at Legacy Park in Lee's Summit, MO before my Saturday run |
I was sweating a lot due to the humidity and the workout. I was running fairly smooth, and most importantly, pain free. My hip felt great with no issue at all. But then at about mile 5, my face felt like it was going to spontaneously combust. I couldn't figure out why, but then I remembered that I had shaved late last night. I obviously still had a little bit of razor burn. And it made the rest of the run pretty uncomfortable.
I have a rule that I never shave before a run ... ESPECIALLY on humid days when there will be more sweat than normal involved. My skin is just so sensitive that it makes it feel like someone scoured my mug with sandpaper and then dipped it in alcohol. It stings. Bad! It goes all the way back to high school. If I had a game that night, I wouldn't even shave in the morning. Of course back then, I probably had to shave once a week anyway ... if that.
I suppose it's not uncommon. I know a lot of guys get little nicks and cuts from shaving that leaves their face irritated all day. But for most guys the irritation stops at the face. A female runner once told me that she felt the same thing when she shaved her legs, and other anatomy before a run. I diverted the conversation at that point because I could not relate to either of which she spoke, nor will I ever. But if it's similar to what I feel on my face and neck, that would be exceptionally miserable.
The fire under my facial skin really seemed to steal most of my focus, but I managed to average about a 7:30/mile pace for the run, which was perfectly fine. But the second I got home, I grabbed a couple of ice cubes and began dousing the fire.
Other than that it was a pretty good run. Does anyone else struggle with razor burn, or is my skin just extra soft?
... Be Great Today!
You're just soft Jim. Not that I'd know because I've never shaved my face - I just couldn't resist the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI am a softy, this is true.
DeleteOk, so, this is probably TMI, but - I had laser hair removal. Mostly because I'm lazy and didn't want to deal, but also because I have sensitive skin and got terrible razor burn, especially when running! My graduation gift to myself was laser hair removal, but only once I paid off all my loans - which I did in a year. It was SO worth it. Best money I ever spent. But you probably don't want to so it because it looks weird on guys - you don't have ANY stubble! No five O'clock shadow ever.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea. Why don't you try Body Glide on your face? It's allantoin, which is a skin protectant, and it should create a barrier to the sweat. might be hot and sticky, though...
Yeah, Michael had it too and loves it. It's mostly a problem I can prevent by timely shaving - Body Glide in the shorts region is obviously essential, but I think on the face would cause issues.
DeleteStill ran pretty fast for a facial fire run!
ReplyDeleteEh, I actually probably ran it a little too fast for the type of workout it was supposed to be
DeleteJim, have you considered an electric razor for the days you do run? I've always used a handheld electric razor and generally I don't have this problem. Granted you don't get as smooth of a shave as a razor, but it does do the job. You can get one for the price of a race entry. I rarely have problems with skin irritation as a result.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually rarely an issue Eddie, I almost always run before I shower each day, I just had some lingering effects with this one from the night before, I used to use an electric a lot, but really haven't much the past several years
DeleteStill a great run despite your face being on fire!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa
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