I thought I knew, but I had no idea… by Hannah McMahon (Lets Run Blogg

(Photo Credit James Kirby)

I thought I knew, but I had no idea…

Shopping…every girl’s favourite pass time right?!

As a keen trail runner I’m always keeping my eye out for some decent gear, shorts, tops and those super grippy trainers to get me through the mud and over the rocks because you can’t run a decent race without the right trainers (obviously!).

But shopping for underwear is a whole other ball game.

I’ve been for runs where I’ve been reluctant to jump down the trail, or over that rock, simply for fear of knocking myself out with my flailing breasts.

But my sports bras are ok, they’ve lasted me well, several years in fact, and that’s despite the rogue bits of elastic springing out from the sides. They hold me in well. I’m sure of it.

A new running top though - that’s what I need.

Browsing the display in Stokesley’s Let’s Run, I was eying up the clothing range and debating whether to dabble in the skort trend…but do I go purple or black?!

My eye swept over to the sports bras, I might as well pick one up while I’m here.

As I clambered into the changing room, armed with my skort, shorts and multiple colours of the same vest top, Shelli asked what size bra I’d like to try.

“A 34D” I confidently beamed.

I tried it on. I knew it was my size. I wasn’t about to flail around the shop asking how I looked in my underwear so thought to myself “that’ll do, it’s fine”.

But Shelli wasn’t going to let me walk out with a bra that I needed super extra padding to fill. Ok so maybe I wasn’t quite as fully busted as I thought.

She handed me an alternative, I tried it and again thought it fitted ok. But it was on the tightest setting and Shelli pointed out it was far too loose around my chest.

Same cup size, down a back size. That’s what I needed…apparently. I nodded, clearly not having a clue about the size of my own anatomy.

Shelli came back smiling with another option. Try this one she said confidently. On it went, was this too small? Too wide? Too full? I had no idea.

It fits perfectly Shelli informed me after a quick check of the straps. It felt good, I jumped around safely, without knocking anyone out. Great I thought. And that was it. I’d just had my first ever bra fitting without even realising it. There was no embarrassing measuring tape, no awkward prodding of the breasts or fumbling around.

I’m in my mid 30s and until now I’ve always bought my sports bras online with an “it’ll do” attitude. I thought that even a magician couldn’t hold my breasts still on a run.

But if magician’s made sports bras then I’ve found it, and thanks to Shelli at Let’s Run I’ve been out on the trails and for the first time forgotten about my 30Ds (not 34Ds).

My new bra is my ‘go faster’ weapon - if it’s comfortable and fits right, then surely I’ll run better…

And the bonus - my new bra is pink! Perfect.

Thanks Shelli @ Lets Run xx