Compression socks

I am in love.

Ok, maybe that's a little strong but I love my new socks, compression socks that is!

I caved and asked Albert pick me up a pair at the Expo when he picked up his race bib (he ran in the Seattle Rock n Roll yesterday). Maybe it's coincidence but the past two runs I have done my legs, well, calf's, have felt great; like before! Hooray! I have worn my socks both times and now don't want to run with out them! It could be completely mental, who knows, but I am sold on them. They are crazy expensive so I may only have one pair for awhile but so far I swear by them. It's almost like I've been cured!

Ok, again, maybe a little extreme but it's great.

Sure my calf's ache a little still but I don't feel like giving up a mile or so in like I was. I feel good during and after my runs again and believe it or not I want to go run. Yes, my allergies are still driving me mad so thats still a bit rough but my legs are much, much, better.

These socks are by no means, the most stylish things I've worn. Knee high socks, that are bright pink (see picture below) and apparently glow in the dark but I love them! Yes, I know you are jealous, especially with the glow in the dark part and no I have not verified they actually do but the packaging claims they do. I would much rather be "laughed" at for a brief moment by passerby's than get laughed at (or negatively talked about) a lot for not wearing them, not running and getting "fat".

Yes, most people do, at some point, talk negatively about "fat" people; its just a sad reality in our society.

That, for me, is what I have found it comes down to. If I don't run, I gain weight. Period. In my 30-something years of living, I have yet to be able to get the whole eating well thing down. I can do it for a week, or if I am lucky, a few weeks but then it's right back to not so eating well. :/  Scientifically, there may not be any proof or anything else showing that the compression socks help someone run better, or longer but they have helped me run better so I will continue to wear them.

**Summary of what compression socks supposedly do, from running.competitor.com (http://running.competitor.com/2012/12/shoes-and-gear/do-compression-socks-really-work_62611):

With manufacturers claiming compression socks and tights increase oxygen delivery, decrease lactic acid, prevent cramps, and minimize muscle fatigue, the wonder garments have been the hottest new item in athletic circles. But, whether or not the socks and tights deliver as promised has been an open question – one even researchers don’t have a clear answer for.


Here's to a lot my running that isn't so hard in my future! :)

Running

Running has been so hard for me lately and I'm not sure why. Its frustrating. At first I thought it was because I had gotten so out of routine and my body wasn't used to it but I've been back at it for a couple weeks now and it has not gotten any easier. I used to be able to run 3 miles without out much trouble. Now, most of the time 3 miles is rough. My legs just get so tired that I am pushing myself to finish without walking all the way home. I am hoping part of it is due to allergies and that once the "season" is past I will be good again. But then I realize there is a good chance my allergies have nothing to do with my legs getting so tired. :/  If it continues to be this hard I wonder just how long I will keep convincing myself to run.

Every once in while I try to remember how I got through allergy season last year but then remember I had started running after Antonio's birthday; so it hasn't even been a year yet. I am trying to stick with it, at least through the allergies to see. I've thought about compression socks but I am not sure that they will help. I've heard they help with "tired" legs but I am guessing that is for running long distances and well I am not sure I want to spend the money for them not to work. So we will see. Fingers crossed something works because the running has helped me lose weight and somewhat keep it off! That is what has kept me running even though its been super rough!

Fingers crossed it gets easier!