RunGuard: Product Review And Giveaway

When I started running, I never realized I'd 'need' a variety of different gear and products. I mean, it's running. "Don't I only need the five S's? Shorts, shirts, stopwatch, socks and shoes?"

As I racked up the miles, I soon found out how much other things I needed to go run. A GPS watch, a fuel belt and/or a hand-held water bottle, GU gels or some other type of food/fuel, headlamp and other safety running gear. And the list goes on and on.

It was during training for my first marathon I learned runners sometimes chaff.

Talk about a painful lesson. Not fun at all.

I had heard stories of male runners getting bloody nipples, but to be honest, I thought it would never happen to me.

Sad to say, I was wrong.

Consequently, I sought ways to prevent this from happening again.

My first solution was to use band-aids. They worked and were effective ... when they stayed on. Depending on the mileage, the band-aids would come off due to the excessive sweat oozing flowing from my body. Then they'd flap around and eventually fall off. Plus, band-aids can get expensive in a hurry.

Earlier this year, I was introduced to anti-chaffing sticks, and it was a match made in runner's heaven!

I first tried Bodyglide back in February, and it worked well. But over the past few months, I've come to learn about and love RunGuard.

For those who've never seen and/or used an anti-chaffing stick, it looks a lot like a stick deodorant but is essentially a thicker gel. RunGuard applies easily with a few swipes, and it does not take a lot to be fully protected.

RunGuard glides on smoothly and only a little is needed. And no matter how much you sweat, RunGuard stays on and protects you throughout your run. I have used RunGuard for runs as short as 5-6 miles (in hot, humid conditions) and as long as 26.2 miles, and it has remained intact and in place. Yet, it easily washes off in the shower afterward with no greasy residue left behind.

I use RunGuard primarily on my nipples but also use it on my longish runs in between my legs - which can really chaff on long, hot, sweaty runs. Nothing like your shorts turning into a salt-lined rag rubbing against your legs. I like to run in all types of weather: heat, rain, snow and wind, and RunGuard protects no matter the climate.

Again, not once have I had any chaffing issues when I've used RunGuard.

But there's much more to love about RunGuard than just how great it works.

Unlike its main competitor Bodyglide, RunGuard is made of natural and organic ingredients, is a better value and is environmentally friendly.

1. Formulation - RunGuard and Bodyglide share five common ingredients: allantoin, aloe bardadensis leaf juice (aloe vera), capric/caprylic triglycerides, tocopherol (vitamin E) and Tribehenin.

RunGuard uses only two other ingredients in its original formula - beeswax and organic carnauba wax. Meanwhile, Bodyglide contains cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl dibehenate, ozokerite wax and stearyl alcohol. (See comparison chart here.)

In its sensitive formula, RunGuard uses beeswax, organic carnauba wax, jojoba oil (moisturizer) and shea butter (moisturizer) as compared Bodyglide for Her's ingredients of cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl dibehenate, ozokerite wax, stearyl alcohol and FD&C Red No. 40. (See comparison chart here.)

2. Value - For both its original and sensitive sticks, RunGuard cost the same: $3.95 for 0.5 ounce stick (travel size) for a $7.90/ounce cost and $12.95 for a 2.7 ounce stick for a $4.80/ounce cost.

Meanwhile, Bodyglide will run you $6.07 for 0.45 ounce stick ($13.49/ounce), $9.83 for a 1.3/1.5 ounce stick ($7.56/$6.55 per ounce) and $14.63 for a 2.5 ounce stick ($5.85/ounce). And for Bodyglide for Her comes only in an 0.8 ounce stick at an average cost of $8.01 ($10.01/ounce).

It doesn't take long to figure out that RunGuard gives you more bang for your buck as you get more product for less money. (For price comparison on the original stick, click here. For price comparison on the sensitive stick, click here.)

3. Packaging - RunGuard's packaging is simple: the lid is sealed with a simple sticker. Yet, Bodyglide comes in a plastic clamshell packaging, which is unnecessary and wasteful. Because of this, it increases cost, shipping, storage and waste.

RunGuard keeps it simple, which is nice not only to the consumer but also for the environment.

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of RunGuard. I highly recommend this product, so much so I want YOU to become a fan as well. And what better way to become a fan than with a little free product and coupon, right?

First, you can take $5 OFF an original or sensitive 2.7 ounce stick of RunGuard! Go to the RunGuard website to order, and at the checkout, use this code for the discount: RUNJAYRUN

Secondly, enter the contest below to win two (2) 2.7 ounce sticks and two (2) travel size sticks of RunGuard. There are 10 total entries you can earn today, and you can collect an additional entry every day until the contest ends by tweeting about the contest. Contest closes at midnight on Thursday, July 25, and the winner will be announced on Friday, July 26.

Lastly, the first 25 different individuals to enter the contest will receive a code for a free travel size stick of RunGuard (shipping included)!!! (Discount code will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours after you enter the contest.) (UPDATE (7-19-13): All of the free codes have been claimed.)

So there!

You now have no excuse not to try out RunGuard for yourself to see what a wonderful product it is.

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