Compression Socks

I have decided to bite the bullet and buy some compressions socks. I knew of 2 brands right away; InVigorators Sock and CEP Compression Socks. Those are thanks to two other blogs I read and they had reviews.

Then I started looking around. One of those two blogs also reviewed Recovery Socks and SIGVARIS Athletic Recovery Sock.

Now I'm very confused. They are, of course, all different prices.

Store links:

InVigorators $24.99 (66% nylon, 20% cotton, 14% spandex)

CEP Compression Socks $53.99 (85% Polyamid, 15% Elasthan)

Recovery Socks $34.90 (wicking material)

SIGVARIS Recovery Sock $29.21 (cotton, not good for running, post-run only)

Now while I can't say that I will or won't run in these (I'm not afraid of looking funny while running, thus the mix-match loud outfits & bands around both knees), I don't think that I want the cotton ones at all. So luckily, that's one off the list.

I can't make up my mind. Anybody out there have any information/reviews/suggestions?

Categories: compression socks, running accessories

A little bit of everything

I stopped Shredding. I decided that after doing 2 days of butt kicks and then hearing my right knee cracking and popping while doing them, that's not a good thing. As kilax said they would, my quads started to hurt after the 2nd day. I didn't do it on Wednesday morning since I knew I had the 7 mile run scheduled. And I decided this morning (while struggling to get out of bed) that I'll start it after my marathon on the 19th.

I'm thinking of getting one of these for my first marathon.
My medals are hanging around the spare bedroom closet doorknob, next to the cat litter boxes. Not exactly in a spot worthy of medals. I'm thinking of getting this one, to hang on the wall, to show off my first marathon. Not that the time is great or that it's a good photo (my thigh fat is doing a weird wiggle thing), but just to have it hanging on my wall. What do you guys think? Good idea or waste of money?

I'm buying a lot of random things for my Garmin & bike. Cool stuff. Stuff that I don't need. Like a carrying case for my Garmin. And a seat pack for my bike. I did buy 2 white water bottle cages that I did need. But I also bought a blue cycling computer for way too much money when I could have bought a cheap generic one. I'm looking at a Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit. But I'm not sure I would need that when I could just wear it right?? Gotta get new gloves too. Since I have white handlebars and my gloves are black, I know that they're gonna rub off and leave black marks.

Oh did you see that 2 new versions of Garmin Forerunner were released? (Yes, that's ME talked about in the article!!!!) One that will do heart-rate calorie count (remember when I thought mine would do that??) and the other that is water resistant for those triathletes out there (tempting!!). The 405CX comes in a pretty blue colour too! But it automatically comes with a heart-rate monitor so the price is a lot more than what I paid. Oh and it also comes with options for different wristbands for smaller wrists! How heavenly would that be?!
I also bought a Road ID. Well, a replacement for my current one. I put the same numbers on it; Dad (who changed his number), Brother (who also changed his number) and Work (which also changed) since the last one I bought. I changed my Motto tagline too. Last one was "Keep On Keeping On!" Which I thought was pretty neat. This time I put on "Run & Win Your Own Race." Talk about motivation and keeping it real. If you would like to buy a Road ID, here's a $1 off coupon: ThanksLindsay473840. Can be used 20 times in the next 30 days.

So Target, Wal*Mart, MC Sports, even Chilton's Sporting Goods (a local hometown store) all didn't carry my Clif Shot Bloks. I will be heading to Rockford tomorrow after work then. And will be buying many packages. They only carry the Black Cherry & Cran-Raz (which I tried and couldn't handle the taste. I also have some Cranberry Raspberry juice but don't like it.) Maybe they'll have some other flavours.

Categories: garmin, running accessories, Shred, St. Jude Marathon

With every run, you learn something new

I started my run this morning at 10:51a. Really late. But it was good weather. I wore my UnderArmour long-sleeved shirt and my UA running tights as well. The tights were a good idea. The shirt, on the other hand, not so much.

About 3 miles into it, I wanted to roll up my sleeves and only got to about half up to my elbows. Grrr. It's funny too because the other night I was looking online for some running sleeves. I first saw them on Ryan Hall at the Houston Half Marathon last year. He was wearing them at the beginning of the race but then took them off. After researching this the other day, I found out that his sponsor of Asics does not make arm warmers. So he has to buy some and then spray paint Asics on it to stay within contract. I think that's funny.

Anyway, so I was looking for them online and decided to buy them, cause c'mon when would I ever use them? Well, TODAY. D'uh.

Today's run was 10 miles. Total in 1h37'. Not too shabby I guess. The pace was around of 9:45 for the full thing. I started at 9:18. Then at turn around point of 5 miles, I slowed down to just over 10'. I ran out of Gatorade by that time. With every run I'm learning something. Anything in the double digits I must have all 4 bottles with me on my belt, 2 with Gatorade. And maybe a gel or two with my runs as well. I have to realise that this is NOT my half marathon. I WON'T be done with it in another 3 miles. I will have another 16 miles to go! I have to prepare for that extra mileage.

I'm also looking at buying this as well. For my marathon, I want to have my phone with me but I don't want to carry my ENTIRE water belt with me. It'll be too heavy and since at my marathon there are water stops at every single mile I won't need to worry about doing water between stops. So I was looking at some way to carry it with me. Cause I want my family and Brent to send me messages of encouragement along the way. Then I heard about this belt, SPIbelt, as in Small Personal Item belt. And it looks like it'll be PERFECT for me on my runs when I don't want to carry my water belt but still need my cell phone with me. My father would like me to bring it with me at all times. I got a 10% coupon as well, so I will be buying that soon as well.

Boy, this running hobby sure is getting expensive! :-)

Categories: 10 miles, clothing, Great Western Trail, running accessories