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Posts Tagged ‘compression socks’

Compression Sock Review

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Blip.tv video.

After a few weeks of putting my compression sleeves through the ringer, I put together a little review of my reactions so far.

  1. Compression sleeves are way better than compression socks. You dont have to worry about snagging toe nails and you get to wear your favorite running socks all the time.
  2. I did have a little heat issue when running with them in the sun, but decided I liked wearing them more post-workout anyway. Still not that big of a deal.
  3. Awesome for post workout recovery. It has definitely had an impact on my ability to get back on the road after a hard workout.
  4. Perfect to wear while sleeping, doing yoga, and bumming around the house after a hard workout.
  5. Wearing nothing but boxers and compression sleeves is the new hot look this fall. Trust me. Very classy. :-)

If you have any questions about them, let me know. Zensah isn’t paying me (although I wouldn’t be opposed to it) but I’m definitely a fan.

Excuse some shoddy editing and audio, I’m still working on some kinks here. Just play with that volume nob and it should be fine.

Tags: , , , | Posted in Cycling, Reviews, Running, Triathlon, Videos | 2 Comments »

Flexability Project, Pt 1

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

While the tri season isn’t quite over (although I’ve almost been training like it is) I’ve started to set a few off season goals for myself, the main one being working on my flexability. I’m also trying desperately not to regain all of the 15 pounds I lost training for the Rhode Island 70.3, but that is for another post.

One of my hopes this year was to be able to race all year injury free. Didn’t happen. I didn’t even make it to my A race without an injury. It sucks because while I didn’t ever think that I knew that much about triathlon training, it is just a kick in the pants like a recurring IT band injury that makes you realize how much more you have to learn.

So this off season I’ve decided to really work on being way more flexible. I have been a lot better about it this year compared to last year, but after finding the big knot in my left ass cheek that was likely caused my IT band issues, I still have some things to work on.

I especially started thinking about during the Olympics when Usain Bolt destroyed the 100 and 200 and everyone was talking about how few strides he had to take to do it. Some commentator basically broke running fast into stride length and turnover. Increase either and you will be a faster runner. Here are my initial plans on having a little longer stride, and hopefully staying injury free.

Step 1: Start going to yoga regularly. I got myself a sweet yoga mat and have already taken two classes at the studio up the street and have never sweated more standing in one place. I even rocked my compression sleeves like a total dork at my class tonight. I had been getting sharp cramps in my calves at work during the last two days while sitting at my desk at work, so I figured they might help. So far I’m a huge fan, but have a full review on them coming later. Hold tight.

Step 2: Massage. My own stretching routine clearly had some gaps, but I’m hoping that going to a massage therapist that knows a thing or two about keeping athletes’ muscles in check can help out there. I know, it just dounds like I’m making some excuses to pamper myself, but if it works and I get to have some masuse rub me down for an hour so who am I to complain?

I probably won’t know how this whole project will tun out until the middle of next season, but hopefully if it is something that I keep up with regularly, then next yearI’ll be able to go a whole lot faster a whole lost more comfortably.

Tags: , , , , | Posted in Running, Training Log, Triathlon | No Comments »

New Triathlon Gear! Compression Socks

Friday, August 29th, 2008

I was greeted yesterday after work with a sweet package in the mail. My compression sleeves finally arrived!

Unless you have been under a rock recently, you’ve probably noticed that compression socks are the cool new thing on the triathlon scene. At first, I was pretty skeptical about some of the claims: reduced fatigue, increased blood flow, etc.

Eventually I just heard about one too many blogger buddies, pro triathletes and tri magazines jumping on the boat and raving about them and I had to dive in too.

I ended up getting Zensah Compression Sleeves. I’m really picky about my running socks, so something that just goes down to my ankle lets me still wear my own super comfy running socks is perfect. Unfortunately they only make the pink version in size small, so I couldn’t rock my metrosexuality and had to go with the always fashionable black.

I have do admit, I do sort of feel like an 80′s aerobics instructor with leg warmers, but thankfully missing the spandex thong, but don’t worry. Taking pictures of myself doing ninja moves in my bedroom totally adds some man points back to the situation.

Problem: Solved.

Don’t knock my ninja skills. You know you are jealous.

I did a sprint interval workout on the treadmill last night and ended up wearing them to bed last night to see how sore I may or not be in the morning. Although I probably would have been more sore if I did a long endurance run and the results don’t mean much, I woke up with my legs feeling pretty good.

My calves felt nice and tingly and fresh this morning. Not that pins and needles/ I just sat on my own leg and it went numb kind of tingly. A tingly like maybe these things did actually help keep up blood flow in my legs. Cool gear!

Overall, the jury is still out how much they exactly help, but hopefully they’ll come through strong on a nice long run this weekend.

At the very least, it is a cool new piece of gear to test out and play with. I’m going to be doing a lot of running this fall to hopefully get a lot faster, and even maybe do a late fall/early spring marathon soon.

Who knows, maybe I can manage to get myself a charity spot and run the Boston Marathon next spring?!

Tags: , | Posted in Running, Triathlon | No Comments »