I’m all about recovery when I’m in full training mode for a race because I want to make sure that every minute that I spend running helps increase my fitness. (Side note: if you’re interested in reading more about recovery, Sage Rountree’s book The Athlete’s Guide to Recovery
The socks I love for really great compression are the CEP Compression Run socks.
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CEP makes two types of socks for running, the Classic and the Progressive. There’s no difference in the amount of compression that these two types of socks provide; the only difference is in how they look. The CEP socks are great because they provide higher presssure in the foot and ankle area and less pressure in the calf which helps to return blood from the feet and calves. I have the white Progressive socks (although I’m really coveting a red pair, too). I think they look great when I wear them for races, but they also work very well for recovery. I also wore them on my flights to and from my marathon and I think that helped with circulation and my feet didn’t get swollen, and I think they really helped with my post-marathon recovery in general.
However, if you’re looking for something that’s a litle more fun even though it offers fewer technical features, the Run Love socks from RunningSkirts are super cute.
I have pairs in purple and white (which sadly aren’t currently available) and I just bought a green pair a few weeks ago, which I think will be fantastic for future St. Patty’s Day races. I don’t think these socks offer graduated compression like the CEP socks, but they are so cute and unique. Every time I wear them to races I get so many compliments and lots of women stopping to ask me where I got them. One warning: if you have larger calf muscles (like me), the hearts on the side of the socks will be more stretched out than what’s shown on the model on their website, but I still think they look fantastic. If you’re thinking of buying these socks, follow RunningSkirts on Twitter (@Running_Skirts). Every so often they’ll post information about discounts or free shipping.
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I love CEP as well…I have the full socks and sleeves.
What do you think of the sleeves? I prefer full socks because I get the compression in the foot area as well, which I’ve read helps more with returning blood back from the lower legs than sleeves, but then again, I’ve never tried sleeves before.
Nice work, lady! THat’s a lot of laps. I’ve yet to swim a mile straight. I gelrlaeny get too bored swimming laps so I hop out and do 10-15 min of aqua jogging at the end. I like my compression socks. Now I’d just like to get some compression shorts bc my hamstrings and glutes could really use it after hard runs. Hope your appt in a week goes well and you can ease back into being mobile.
I prefer the full socks…I feel like its tighter and I like the tightness around my ankles too which u can’t get w just the sleeves. I just wish there was more cushion in the foot area (I wear and love balega running socks bc it’s the perfect amount of cushion for me).
Good to know; I’ll stick with the socks. 🙂 I really like the cushioning of Balega socks, too, but I can only wear them in winter because my feet get too sweaty when it’s warmer and it’s blister city.
I love CEP…and the Running Skirt socks are too cute!!
Came across your blog via HRG. I LOVE my corioesspmn socks (and I had to get pink, too). I wear them when I run and keep them on for a little bit afterwards. I actually have three pairs, two of the expensive runner corioesspmn socks, and an ugly pair that I think I borrowed from hospital closet (I work in a hospital) that are used to prevent deep vein thromboses, haha. The latter pair I’ll put on under my regular clothes after an intense workout.
Thanks for the review – very nice, really well done. Love my compression socks. I’m a big fan of compression socks, I’ve only used them for recovery and during workouts – sometimes I even sleep in them.