• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • FOOD/DRINK
  • BLOGGING
  • FITNESS
  • My Story
  • Work with Me
    • Disclosure
  • Contact Us
This Real Mom

This Real Mom

Keepin' it real in motherhood!

Home / GEAR / Compression Socks – Why You Should Wear Them on a Long Run

Compression Socks – Why You Should Wear Them on a Long Run

GEAR

I first discussed compression socks a while back (when I bought my first pair in October), but a number of people have asked about whether or not they should wear compression socks/sleeves for long runs.

During the recent Olympic marathon trials, you may have noticed a number of men and women wearing compression socks during the race. Although I am by no means an elite runner, I too, wear them for my long runs. Here’s why:

    • Wearing compression socks allows the arterial walls in the lower legs to relax. This means more oxygen-rich blood flow to your legs. This increased blood flow can result in better race/training performance and recovery.
    • Studies have shown that wearing these socks can improve your race time by up to 5%- that’s pretty significant (especially when you are looking at a half-marathon/marathon)!
    • By applying more pressure to the lower legs and shins, vibration is reduced. This translates into fewer microtears in muscle– which can result in shin splints or lower leg soreness.
    • Because compression socks increase blood flow and circulation in the lower legs, they can help reduce the build-up of lactic acid.

 PRO Compression: Marathon Compression Socks, Purple, Small/Medium CEP Women’s Progressive+ 2.0 Compression Run Socks, Black/Pink, Size III (Calf 12.5-15-Inch)

From my own personal experience, I can definitely say that I have reduced lower leg and foot soreness when I wear compression socks on a long run. I have yet to wear them in a long distance race, but I will surely be sporting them at the Anthem Half Marathon in March! Here is a picture of a pair of hot pink CEP socks that I just bought!

While compression socks can help you on your long run, it’s just as important to focus on how you fuel during your long runs. Fueling properly will make a HUGE difference in how you feel on your long run and how you recover.

 

 

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

January 25, 2012 · 21 Comments

Previous Post: « 3 Ways Caffeine Can Help Your Running
Next Post: Join the Superbowl Running Challenge! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Nicole Culver says

    January 25, 2012 at 7:59 am

    I don’t have compression socks, but have heard of the benefits of them. Next time I train for a race, I’ll be buying some!

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 4:56 pm

      I think they are definitely worth checking out!

      Reply
  2. Amy says

    January 25, 2012 at 8:20 am

    I wear both socks & sleeves, and I haven’t had any shin pain/splints since.

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      If you had to choose one, would it be sleeves or socks? Just curious, because I haven’t tried the sleeves yet…

      Reply
  3. Heidi @Bananabuzzbomb says

    January 25, 2012 at 8:56 am

    I have yet to try compression socks, but they are on my wishlist!

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      I think you will really like them Heidi! 🙂

      Reply
  4. The Mommy Salami says

    January 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Are they only recommended for long races? The most I have run is a 5K but am training for a 10K. Would they still benefit me?

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      January 25, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      Nope, you can still reap the benefits with shorter distances. In fact, elite athletes sometimes use them for speed sessions too! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    January 25, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    I just got a pair for 50% off with an Active Schwaggle deal – they came in the mail yesterday, and I’m going to try them out on my 20-miler this weekend. My calves are always, always, always sore and tight, no matter how much stretching I do, so I’m thinking these will really help!

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 5:32 pm

      Bummer, wish I had seen that deal! 😉 Good luck on the 20 miler, hopefully they help with the calves!

      Reply
  6. MCM Mama says

    January 25, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I started wearing calf sleeves to help me with a too tight/crabby calf and now I love running in them. My legs feel so much better in them.

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 5:36 pm

      Glad you love them! I think more and more people are discovering how helpful they can be. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Erin says

    January 25, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    Just bought my first pair of socks a few weeks ago – actually got the exact pair in your picture! I love them on my long runs!

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 25, 2012 at 9:24 pm

      I am loving the pink too!

      Reply
  8. Sara says

    January 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I love your blog! I have been thinking about switching to WP too. Your blog is so well-designed and professional looking and easy to read.

    Thank you for this info and for explaining how the compression socks work! Those are the exact same CEP socks I have and I love them. I have yet to try them out on a longer run too, though. I am wondering if they would help my feet (more than my legs) when they get painful on longer runs (sometimes, and I have to find out why that is!).

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 28, 2012 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks so much Sara! Switching to WP is pretty easy, I can definitely help you if you need it. I think you should try the socks on your next long run. I have found that they help me a lot. I know some people even wear them at night after a long run! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Dagmar Alvis says

    February 26, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    I have used compression socks for several month. I oftern start out my race with discomfort in feet, ankle etc. With compression socks the pain goes away after a couple minutes. However, A unique problem I have experienced is that on my long races, I always end up with a blister under my right foot:( Never had blisters before. Any advice?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Compression Sleeves or Socks? | 30 Something Mother Runner says:
    February 15, 2012 at 7:17 am

    […] Interestingly enough, there is a difference in the compression grade of some socks and sleeves, so you should check to see if your apparel is recommended for activity and/or recovery. There is also a thought that compression socks may be better for longer runs because calf sleeves could cause more blood to pool in your feet. I think I would tend to agree with this and use the compression sleeves for shorter runs and the compression socks for longer runs. […]

    Reply
  2. Shin Splints are the Number Running Injury in Beginners says:
    June 27, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    […] World recently revealed that the number one newbie running injury is shin splints. Chances are, if you have ever played sports in school, you have experienced shin splints at some […]

    Reply
  3. Shin Splints (and How You Can Avoid Them) says:
    June 29, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    […] World recently revealed that the number one newbie running injury is shin splints. Chances are, if you have ever played sports in school, you have experienced shin splints at some […]

    Reply
  4. Compression Socks for the Thirty-Something says:
    July 4, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    […] I was on a mission to buy a pair of compression socks. I must admit, when I first saw people showing up at races wearing compression socks, I thought to […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

© Copyright This Real Mom 2019. Site design by Seaside Digital Design & Marketing LLC
0 shares