Got my bags packed up and ready to hit the road to Santa Barbara….
I decided to retire my old Mizunos WaveRider 12′s for good today. They have 515 miles on them, and with my thutt aching after the last and final run, I thought it’d be a good time to say goodbye.
When they were babies and brand spankin’ new... Goodbye, my first and second marathon shoes. And half marathon PR shoes. and BQ shoes. Would someone please stop me from being so lame?!? please, Shut me up already!!
I’ve upgraded to the 13′s only because they don’t make the 12′s anymore; I broke these in already and used them for my last marathon.
I had hoped to put about 600 miles on the shoes, but pain-free trumps 85 extra miles any day. I’ve also decided to use these for ONLY running, not cross training, walking the dog, running errands, wearing just so I look hardcore….
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A couple of you asked about the compression socks from Walmart. Compression is like stretching; some studies show it helps and some say it doesn’t. The idea behind them is to “improve oxygen delivery to muscles, speed lactic acid removal and stabilize the lower leg for greater muscle efficiency.” (I have no idea why the font is so small)
Women’s CEP Running 02 Compression Sock $59.99
HERE is an article about whether compression socks work or not from the Running Times Magazine. It basically says that there wasn’t any improvement to runners wearing them WHILE running, but they did speed recovery after runs.
I personally like them for recovery; I’ve never worn them while running but I put them on after most long runs. I even wear mine snowboarding or if I’m going to be on my feet all day. They just feel good, like your legs aren’t as tired.
Problem is they are expensive.
There are also leg sleeves that are a little cheaper, but I talked to a running store employee who said they don’t work as well as the socks do.
Zensa Womens leg sleeves $39.99
So what I use is Truform classic medical-style stockings from Walmart. I said they were $11 but I am a liar. They’re actually $19.97 at Wally’s take over the World. But they are way more expensive online which is weird.
Sweet leg, dude.
I bought the smallest and tightest ones they had, meaning they have 20-30 mmHg of compression (if you get less compression like 15mmHg, they might not work as well) which is the tightest and a size M which was the smallest size Walmart had. They feel tight but not uncomfortable or anything. You pretty much forget you have them on until you go outside in a short dress and look like a complete goober.
My husband is a complete giver; he said that he would even take a Sharpie and write “Zensa” on mine so I’d have namebrand ones. I’m also going to have him do the double C’s so I can have Chanel Tempo shorts, LV on my Louis Vuitton Target sports bras, and paint the soles of my shoes red so I’ll have Christian Louboutin running shoes!
Do you do compression? Thoughts on it? Think it works or just a money pit?
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Haha! I always tell my boyfriend I want a pair of Christian Louboutin and he always says “i’ll go buy you a black pair of heels and paint the bottoms red.” Men, they just don’t get it!
Santa Barbara would be amazing, have a fun weekend.
The old folks call these support hose! Get it Grandma :0)
i use the zensah sleeves and i like them. i think i will upgrade to the full sock eventually.
I just bought a pair from runningskirts.com and they’re super cute….which I really didn’t think I’d ever say about compressions socks. I’m going to give them a try while I run over the next few weeks!
I definitely don’t run far enough to need compression socks-ha!
However, I am a RN and I wear them to work since I am on my feet for 12 hours at a time. They make a huge difference!
I love the pink leg sleeves. Cool. I could go for those..under my pants.
As for compression tights, I just got a pair and like them. I have a sensitive hamstring and the tights really seem to help.
I would bronze those retired running shoes. Too many awesome memories to just pack ‘em away in a shoebox. Do it, do it now!!
compression definately has a benefit…it may not get you a BQ…or a bbq…but for the legs it’s very important.
if you want to free-style it…just lay down on the floor and put your legs up against the wall. watch all of biggest loser that way and you can get a lot of the same benefits post workout.
i don’t really care if they work or not because the socks feel really good when i’m wearing them!
will you save those shoes because you ran so hardcore in them? they are pretty snazzy, i love the coloring on them
I’m loving that orange-y purse! I’m not California-cool so I have no idea what it is…hey, those 13′s are good lookin’ shoes! Have fun this weekend.
I wear compression socks in all my ultras. I get cheap medical grade ones from Walgreens and cut the foot out so I can wear Drymax socks. I feel like in the long races, they really do prevent swelling and keep everything moving. I would highly recommend them for races 100+ miles.
Have a fun weekend!
i’m sentimental about my shoes too! i refuse to get rid of the pair i ran my first marathon in, i still wear them for everyday use. they are dear to my heart.
i’ve always been curious about compression socks…might try the geriatric kind from wally world. ugh, that color though…maybe i’ll put some glitter on mine.
i want you to know a few things
a) i read your blog religiously, but i’ve never commented. maybe religiously isn’t the right word, but it’s definitely part of my daily constitutional, whatever that is.
b) compression socks are the shizz. i’m a doctor (well, close enough. saying third year medical student makes me sound lame. doctor makes me sound like i look like ellen pompeo and save lives hourly) and those are the only thing that keep me from having RIDICULOUS cankles when i’m on call.
c) jane fonda is a beast. i have one of her workout tapes (oh yeah, tape. vhs) and i still do it sometimes. none of the low-impact crap people are all about now, no, jane has you jumping around your living room and thrusting your crotch in all sorts of angles.
d) thank you for introducing me to running capris. i wear them pretty much as my standard lounging around the house wear (don’t worry, only clean ones). my boyfriend, however, may not be as happy with you, but what guy doesn’t love stretchy pants? come on.
welcome to the circus and thanks for commenting! now if i ever needed a surgery (ok, botox) could you hook me up with a deal, dr mcsteamy???
i’ll work on it…i’m going to be an anesthesiologist, so i’ll be good with the needles but won’t have the botox. the good news is i’ll probably know a few plastic surgeons (hopefully most of which look like eric dane, or at the least patrick dempsey) and might be able to get you a little somethin somethin. then again, if i want to reach my goal of looking like joan or melissa rivers by 40 i might have to keep it all for myself…
Hi i will be in LA to i hope i get to meet you. I just did 3 marathons in 6 weeks so takeing it easy in LA .SHARON
I may have to wear compression stockings while I work. I stand up for 11 hours at a time and don’t want vericrose veins. I’m SUCH a giver. it’s ridiculous.
Not sure if compression socks work or not. I’ve never had an injury(KNOCK ON WOOD), so I’ve not had to think about them. I don’t think I could wear them while running. They’d make my legs hot! I’m against anything that makes me even slightly warm during runs.
I wear either the Zensah or 2XU calf compression sleeves. They really do help with the recovery.
I just did an “ode to running shoes” post a few weeks ago. I was hoarding shoes from senior year of HS (2002!) b/c of their running related memories. You can bet I’ll be holding on to marathon #1 shoes foreva! (And BQ shoes if that ever happens…let’s be honest..
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Just saw this vid on compression socks.
http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/video/clips/dr-h-answers-questions-030210/1205943/