Royce Lingerie’s Impact Free Sports bra has recently completed the Marathon
Des Sables - an ultra running event (6 marathons in 7 days) - with just a little
help from one amazing woman.
Siobhann Royce (no relation!), aged 29 and a size 30D, wore the maximum
support bra over months of training and also during the 7-day race in the
Sahara Desert. We caught up with Siobhann after the race to chat about her
experience.
Royce Lingerie (RL): Thanks for contacting us with regard to testing the
Impact Free. The question most people will be asking is, simply, why?
Siobhann Royce (SR): Since running the London Marathon in 2008, I have
continued to train hard and compete in a number of races and events like
marathons, triathalons, dualathlons and ultra races, both to satisfy my own
ambition and to raise money for the fund Sophie’s Legacy (www.sophieslegacy.
org) which was set up in memory of a family friend who died of cancer, in order to raise funds for Macmillan
Nurses and Prospect Hospice. The Marathon Des Sables (MDS) challenge started as a joke...and before I knew it,
quickly turned into reality! There is no real answer to the question “why”, the answer is just inside me.
RL: Tell us about your training regime? It must’ve been pretty
punishing?
SR: The bra was great during my training. During the week, I trained
twice a day, running to and from work, wearing the Impact Free bra
(amongst others). At weekends I would have to train for up to 6 hour,
sometimes with a backpack weighing up to 10kg, so any underwear
that stays comfortable for that long, in those conditions was a bonus
and the Impact Free certianly did. I also practised Bikram Yoga and
wore Impact Free as a crop top for these sessions without revealing
too much while in more compromising positions!
RL: And how about the actual event?
SR: Myself and 3 amazing people, including my boyfriend Neil, shared the experience. Our team was, aptly,
named ‘Perseverance’.
Over the 7 day event, we ran a total 151 miles over rocky ground and through hot sand, in temperatures of up to
49C. During the experience, as a team we encountered cracked lips, bleeding noses, twisted knees and ankles,
bleeding feet, swollen hands, dehydration, collapses, heat exhaustion, hallucinations, diarrhoea & vomiting and
freezing nights in hospital tents.
I wore the Impact Free throughout the entire race. It was comfortable
throughout, despite my swelling body. The back piece with 4
adjustments means that all the different sizes seemed to work at
different times. Amazingly, I had no issues with nipple friction, which
can be a real unpleasance for ultra runners. I had absolutely NO sore
spots. That’s to be applauded. The slightly padded straps added to
the comfort further and the high cotton content helped to wick away
sweat.
RL: How Did You Feel After the Event?
SR: I got my medal on Day 7, having finished in the top 50 women. I
felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment that, despite every
part of my body screaming out in agony, I had carried on and finished the race. I also felt extremely honoured to
have shared such an unforgettable time of my life with these very special people.
RL: Would you consider using the Impact Free again if you were to take
part in a similar event (I can’t imagine you will be doing this one again...or
will you?!)
SR: Actually, I would do it again! Only because I am so competitive, I think I
could do it faster now I know the ropes! I would and WILL certainly use Royce
bras in my training from now on. I think they are fantastic.
To see more of Siobhann’s photos: www.perseverance2010.com
To donate: http://www.justgiving.com/SiobhannandNeal-SaharaMarathon2010
Organisers website: www.darbaroud.com
Royce Lingerie’s Impact Free sports bra is available
from Just Bras Lingerie Outlet
Available in black and white and in sizes
28-40 DD E F FF G GG H HH & J, RRP is £30.
Thank you to Royce for the above interview.