I have a love/hate relationship with running, one that I’ve written about before. (Please know that I use the word running very lightly – I’m more of a jogger.) I often hate the thought of a run (the effort it takes to get dressed, to push forward, to breathe) more than actually doing it – I always feel good after a run, no matter how tough or easy it was. The best thing is the way running leaves me feeling totally out of breath, but completely alive.
One thing that initially hindered being able to go for a jog? My boobs. Yadda yadda, here she goes again on the boob train. But, really – when you live life with more than a handful up top, it can limit you in many ways, including sports. When I first started running (about ten years ago) I didn’t have a sports bra but I soon learned the value of one. Now I cringe whenever I see women out running without a sports bra – it gives me actual pains and I find myself grabbing my boobs! What is that?
There aren’t many sports bras that work for me. I need one that offers the strongest possible support, and mainstream ‘sports’ labels cater for smaller to mid size cups. Most recently, I tried a brand I already love for their everyday lingerie, Panache. I’m so used to going straight to the lingerie section when shopping there that I hadn’t even considered trying their sports bras…
Wearing the right bra when running or taking part in any impact or high intensity sport is so important, and having the right one can make all the difference to your workout. The better the workout, the more likely you are to do it again. Though I have found some good ones, finding a quality sports bra that works well and actually looks good too can be a real struggle, so I was delighted when Panache sent me this super cool wired black bra (my favourite) with leopard print and neon orange detail to try out.
What did I think? First impressions upon opening the box were that it was bold and massive! But when running, it kept my boobs firmly in place, the bounce factor was minimised, it didn’t limit my breathing despite the support coming from around the band rather than the straps ( a first for me and sports bras), and I enjoyed wearing a cute bra that I wasn’t ashamed to have poking out from under my running gear. In fact, maybe I ought to focus on my abs – this is a sports bra that deserves to be properly shown off, right?
Tell me, which sports bras are your favourites? Have you tried Panache sport?
Five reasons why I love running:
- It’s part of my routine and has become part of who I am.
- I like the feeling of pulling on my running shoes and stepping outside into the fresh air with my dog.
- Running keeps me sane, giving me time to think (I never listen to music) and appreciate my surroundings.
- I improve my fitness, and I feel comfortable in my clothes (despite the outrageous chocolate consumption).
- It reminds me that I’m lucky to have a body that can do all of this, so I should use it to the best of my ability.
I’m Wearing: bra, Panache sport; top, Primark; jacket, Elle Sport at TK MAXX; trousers, TK MAXX; trainers, Nike; necklace, Alex Monroe.
Location: Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Images: Kris Miller
Thanks to Panache for sponsoring this post.
Liked this post? Read another post about Finding my Fit with Panache here.
