Why Runners Use Compression – CLOSED CONTEST
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I spent mine with friends and headed up to Toronto at one point for a Chris Thile concert. It has been a wonderful weekend of relaxing and resting up for my next race!
Speaking of recovery, I wanted to chat today about my secret weapon when it comes to race recovery – compression.
Before my race, I knew that I would need to wear some compression gear for the race as I was struggling with a bit of an injury and needed some compression and I wanted to accelerate my recovery.
Enter CEP Compression.
If you have never used compression gear before, here is what you need to know:
Compression socks are specialized hosiery items designed to provide extra support and increase blood circulation.
Why on earth would you need them?
The key to understanding compression socks is their graduated pressure application. Throughout the day, your body pumps blood to your extremities as evenly as it can, but gravity often causes blood to pool in the lower limbs and feet causing circulatory problems and at the very least fatigue and leg cramps. This is why it feels so good to put your feet up at the end of a hard day.
This is where compression socks come in. Compression socks use strong elastic to put a stronger pressure on the leg and compressing the surface veins and muscles which increases arterial pressure causing more blood to return to the heart and less to remain at the feet. A good compression sock, like CEP, will increase the flow of blood over 40% allowing more power in performance and a faster recovery.
Easy right?
I notice a huge difference between long runs when I use compression socks and when I do not. In the first days following my marathon, wearing my socks was the difference between walking normally and not.
Plus they are an awesome colour!!
CEP Compression socks are a bit different.
They are designed in Germany and backed with over 60 years of science and production. They increase blood flow up to 40% and their graduated medical grade compression that tightens at the ankle reduces the diameter of the veins and pushes de-oxygenated blood back to the hear.
When I received them at the expo, I was told that they would:
- Improve athletic performance – I qualified for Boston.
- Enhance muscle recovery and tissue repair – I was able to run again in 3 days after the marathon.
- Reduce swelling from any injury or surgery. – The socks, coupled with ice, I noticed a huge difference.
- Stabilize muscles, tendons and joints.
- Alleviate shin splints, Achilles injury and Plantar Fascitis. I had achilles tendonitis going into the marathon and although I had some pain, I was able to push through with the help of a supported and compressed ankle.
The morning of the marathon, I was all ready to go sans the socks and I had the burning question of how to put them on as they are not used as a regular sock.
I will spare you a visual essay of my efforts and redirect you to CEP Compression’s how-to video:
Cool huh? I am a huge believer in the benefits of compression, but any long time reader knows I am obsessed with quality, so they have to be medical grade, like CEP Compression, for me to wear them.
I would LOVE for you to give them a try and let me know what you think. CEP Compression has kindly offered to give a free pair of compression socks to one of my readers and all you need to do to enter is comment below on the main reason why you want to try/currently use compression gear?
As always, additional entries if you:
Like Laces and Lattes on Facebook.
Like CEP Compression on Facebook.
Like Laces and Lattes on Twitter.
Like CEP Compression on Twitter.
Winner will be selected on November 18th. Good luck!
I am getting ready to start training for my first full marathon. Well, I guess I am on the lead up. I ran a half marathon last weekend in Myrtle Beach, SC and will follow up in less than two weeks with Divas San Juan. When I get back, it’s training time for the Little Rock Marathon. I’ve heard how much compression can really help and know that I don’t want to be get through the training and the race with everything in tact while enjoying the journey along the way.
I truly believe in the healing power of compressions.. I run with them on every long run (of over 20 km)..and keep wearing them the entire day. I even ran the Scotiabank Half on Oct. 20th wearing my beloved compression socks!
I had to severely curtail my running career, and ultimately just my basic running/fitness routine because of shin splints. Nothing I tried worked: new shoes, rest, ice, slow-running and run-walking. I was ignoring the “compression” part of RICE, so I went to my running store in Princeton and bought a pair of CEP night-running compression socks. My first run in those made me feel like I was 18 again, and my shin splints have largely disappeared because of these compression socks. I wear them whenever I can now.
I ran the Runner’s World Hat Trick two weekends ago. (5K/10K Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday.) I wore compression socks all day Saturday after the two races to speed recovery for Sunday. My legs felt AMAZING Sunday!
I have a pair of compression socks, but they are not by CEP. I’ve heard such great things about them and would love to try a pair for myself. I follow you and CEP on Twitter already 🙂
I’ve never used compression socks before, but notice my legs are tight even after 1.5 miles! I definitely want to try some!
I’ve just started researching/dabbling a bit more in compression gear, and I’d really love to see how it impacts my performance – and i haven’t tried CEP Compression although I’ve heard such good things!
I already like your page on facebook, and i like CEP Canada as well 🙂
Plus I’m now following you on Twitter and CEP (@EverAfterEsther
I use them after my workouts because I’m prone to bad shin splints and these really help! I only have one pair at the moment though.
I liked you on facebook and twitter as well as CEP Compression on facebook and twitter.
Good information. I was talked into buying a pair of compression socks at an expo. I could not believe the difference in how I felt the next day after wearing them for my half. I partially believed it was just mental, but I don’t run long distances without them. 🙂 Your explanation makes sense and now I know why they help. I have different 2 pairs and I’d love to try CEP.
I have bad shin splints and compression socks work magic when it comes to keeping the pain from the inflammation down.
I liked you on FB & Twitter.
I liked CEP on FB & Twitter
When I run long, compression socks truly help in the recovery. Last season I didn’t have shin splints, which I credit to my “getting worn down” compression socks.
would love to try CEP. I”ve heard great things about them, but have yet to try them.
I have heard so much about them…but never bought would love to try
I use compression because it helps me with recovery. They have helped with cramping in my feet as well.
I Liked you on FB.
I Like CEP Compression on FB.
I follow you on Twitter. @CVermule
I follow CEP Compression on Twitter.
They’re really great for recovery. I’ve used them for the last few years.
Congrats on your BQ!! I do wear compression socks now and then and a true believer in the compression gear. I would love to BQ one day as well and chasing that dream with every run. I just ran the STWM full as well and wonder if I would have done better if I had worn compression socks. I’m a huge fan of CEP and love all their colours.
I liked you on FB
I like CEP Compression on FB
I follow you on Twitter @ainrunningland
I follow CEP compression on Twitter
The reason I try compression sock because it help my calf. Whenever I do a hardcore running my calf are in pain afterward so i like using it for the recovery.
I also did all the extra entries. 🙂
I would like to try compression socks to help with leg recovery after my runs