Well...
Tomorrow is the big day! Tomorrow morning I will ride 84km from Grand Bend, ON to London, ON and then Sunday morning get up and ride 76km back to Grand Bend. I have been MIA for the past couple weeks...Lots of Physio and Massage...things seem to be getting better and that makes me happy...
Last night I drove to Port Huron, MI and purchased two pairs of Asics 2150's...in the US they are $99.00 plus 6% sales tax for Michigan...in Ontario Canada they are $159.99 plus 13% sales tax....even the hour and a half drive and the $27.00 I paid and duty and gas...I still saved almost $100.00....I know that things in Canada are more expensive but man...SHOES are brutal...soooo there you have it...
I am really looking forward to this weekend for many reasons....I am also excited that after this weekend I will really be stepping up the Marathon training....it is crazy to think that Chicago is only 78 days away!
Happy Weekend!!!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
CEP Compression Sock and Sleeve Review!
*Disclaimer...I was sent a pair of Compression Socks and Sleeves to review...I did not pay for these articles nor do not work for this company and this review is truly unbiased....
I had written a post earlier on a generic pair of Compression Socks I purchased at a local running store...they were great the first day after I wore them while driving home from the Flying Pig Half Marathon...my legs felt better than expected....probably because I had something on as opposed to nothing...after that the socks never felt the same...I did a few runs in them but never really noticed any difference in my running...I actually thought that Compression Socks were a "fad" and I would not be purchasing another pair anytime soon...
Later, I was contacted by a representative from Medi USA, the company that owns CEP compression Socks...They are one of the leading medical compression sock companies...
The socks I originally purchased were a "One Size Fits all" Circumference and they came in S,M or L...probably my first mistake and probably why they fit great the first day but not after they had stretched out and been washed! I definitely learned that they were not tight enough to be "medical grade". They needed to be tight enough in order to penetrate your deep veins and target your arteries.
So the wonderful Jamie from Medi USA asked for my leg circumference which determined the size range to get targeted compression...a few weeks later I was ROCKIN' the PINK socks...
PS. You can also see these bad boys in the latest edition of Runner's World!!!
CEP claims that you can have a 5% better performance running in their socks and use 6% less energy while doing it. That's 10-12min in a marathon! (Believe me...I need ALL the time I can get!!)
Here is what they do...All of this info was found on the CEP Website
1. Arteries with normal blood flow - Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs and muscles. Veins transport de-oxygenated blood back to the heart.
2. Arteries extension - The patented compression of the CEP compression sportsocks expands the diameter of the artery: Functionality
3. An increased arterial blood circulation and supply of oxygen to the musculature - The arterial blood circulation increases by approximately 30% while at rest and by approximately 40% under physical strain. The special and patented pressure profile of the CEP compression sport socks* is a decisive element in ensuring these results.
The Conclusion:
Benefits of CEP:
Advantages & Features:
...and the Sleeves:
*Excuse the large feet and nasty toes....If you look closely at the leg without a sleeve you can see the compression marks....
CEP compression sleeves are the first truly functional compression sport sleeve with a patented pressure flow technology that provide a scientifically proven increase in blood circulation and a consequent increase in performance. CEP sleeves provide more oxygen, more energy, an improved metabolization of lactic acid, and faster recovery so you can return to training quicker than ever.
So.....WHAT DID I THINK????
I first tried the Socks on a few of my 6km Tempo Runs....
* They had a great fit....I actually loved the Sock Portion of the pink socks...as someone who often suffered from blisters...not a single one...pretty darn awesome...I also noticed that after tempo runs I can sometimes have a tendency to have a bit of tightness near my Achilles....none of that with CEP...
Then I tried them on some of my Longer Sunday Runs....
*I was really worried about feeling too hot in them as we have been experiencing a Heat Wave here in Ontario....When you first put them on they are pretty darn tight however it is amazing the ventilation that you get in them...I wore them on some of the hottest runs and did not over heat...
*I liked that I had an extra bounce in my step...my calves felt super supported and my legs were less tired...I especially liked running in them the day after my tempo run...
*After a run I did not take them off right away...I would stay in my socks for as long as I possibly could in order to help with recovery...I do believe that this helped...
*I also wore them around the house after my 20km run...I did notice that my legs were fresh for when I did a 40km bike ride...
*I am not going to lie....I got a lot of comments and felt pretty darn special wearing pink socks around the trails here...
*The Sleeves...may have become one of my new favourite things....I love that I can wear my own socks...and that they are white...the pink can only match so much of my wardrobe...
*I found the sleeves extra great while biking...I plan on wearing them in my 150km bike ride this weekend with the Pink Socks as my recovery socks the next day!
All in All I am really thrilled about CEP Compression Socks and I know that I will use them for both performance and recovery!!
Thanks again CEP! You ROCK!
Have any of you tried CEP or any other compression wear??? Thoughts???
I had written a post earlier on a generic pair of Compression Socks I purchased at a local running store...they were great the first day after I wore them while driving home from the Flying Pig Half Marathon...my legs felt better than expected....probably because I had something on as opposed to nothing...after that the socks never felt the same...I did a few runs in them but never really noticed any difference in my running...I actually thought that Compression Socks were a "fad" and I would not be purchasing another pair anytime soon...
Later, I was contacted by a representative from Medi USA, the company that owns CEP compression Socks...They are one of the leading medical compression sock companies...
The socks I originally purchased were a "One Size Fits all" Circumference and they came in S,M or L...probably my first mistake and probably why they fit great the first day but not after they had stretched out and been washed! I definitely learned that they were not tight enough to be "medical grade". They needed to be tight enough in order to penetrate your deep veins and target your arteries.
So the wonderful Jamie from Medi USA asked for my leg circumference which determined the size range to get targeted compression...a few weeks later I was ROCKIN' the PINK socks...
PS. You can also see these bad boys in the latest edition of Runner's World!!!
CEP claims that you can have a 5% better performance running in their socks and use 6% less energy while doing it. That's 10-12min in a marathon! (Believe me...I need ALL the time I can get!!)
Here is what they do...All of this info was found on the CEP Website
1. Arteries with normal blood flow - Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs and muscles. Veins transport de-oxygenated blood back to the heart.
2. Arteries extension - The patented compression of the CEP compression sportsocks expands the diameter of the artery: Functionality
3. An increased arterial blood circulation and supply of oxygen to the musculature - The arterial blood circulation increases by approximately 30% while at rest and by approximately 40% under physical strain. The special and patented pressure profile of the CEP compression sport socks* is a decisive element in ensuring these results.
The Conclusion:
- Increased blood circulation
- More oxygen for the musculature
- Enhanced performance
Benefits of CEP:
- An increase in performance
- A quicker run
- An easier run
- A quicker recovery
Advantages & Features:
- Pre-exercise - muscle activation and reduction of injury risk
- During Exercise - optimized performance and stabilization, reduced muscle strain
- Post-Exercise - quicker and shorter recovery phase
- Achilles heel support - additional support of the Achilles tendon protects and prevents irritable tendons.
- Ventilation channels – create a pleasant foot climate.
- Padded sole - special support of the foot sole prevents blisters.
- Anatomically-shaped inline seams – CEP socks come with a left and right model and, as a result, adjust to the anatomy of the foot for a perfect fit thanks to medi’s three-dimensional manufacturing process.
- CellTex ® Fiber finishing - a new refinement of thread (without chemical additives) facilitates the biological activation of skin cells and provides a comfortable, skin sympathetic and climate-regulating wear.
- iPS® Integrated power system - a defined compression with scientifically patented pressure profile improves blood circulation and enhances performance.
- Shin protection
- Material - 85% Polyamid, 15% Elasthan
...and the Sleeves:
*Excuse the large feet and nasty toes....If you look closely at the leg without a sleeve you can see the compression marks....
CEP compression sleeves are the first truly functional compression sport sleeve with a patented pressure flow technology that provide a scientifically proven increase in blood circulation and a consequent increase in performance. CEP sleeves provide more oxygen, more energy, an improved metabolization of lactic acid, and faster recovery so you can return to training quicker than ever.
So.....WHAT DID I THINK????
I first tried the Socks on a few of my 6km Tempo Runs....
* They had a great fit....I actually loved the Sock Portion of the pink socks...as someone who often suffered from blisters...not a single one...pretty darn awesome...I also noticed that after tempo runs I can sometimes have a tendency to have a bit of tightness near my Achilles....none of that with CEP...
Then I tried them on some of my Longer Sunday Runs....
*I was really worried about feeling too hot in them as we have been experiencing a Heat Wave here in Ontario....When you first put them on they are pretty darn tight however it is amazing the ventilation that you get in them...I wore them on some of the hottest runs and did not over heat...
*I liked that I had an extra bounce in my step...my calves felt super supported and my legs were less tired...I especially liked running in them the day after my tempo run...
*After a run I did not take them off right away...I would stay in my socks for as long as I possibly could in order to help with recovery...I do believe that this helped...
*I also wore them around the house after my 20km run...I did notice that my legs were fresh for when I did a 40km bike ride...
*I am not going to lie....I got a lot of comments and felt pretty darn special wearing pink socks around the trails here...
*The Sleeves...may have become one of my new favourite things....I love that I can wear my own socks...and that they are white...the pink can only match so much of my wardrobe...
*I found the sleeves extra great while biking...I plan on wearing them in my 150km bike ride this weekend with the Pink Socks as my recovery socks the next day!
All in All I am really thrilled about CEP Compression Socks and I know that I will use them for both performance and recovery!!
Thanks again CEP! You ROCK!
Have any of you tried CEP or any other compression wear??? Thoughts???
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
knee pain :(
Sorry I have not been around much....I think I have been avoiding blogging only because well...I am somewhat injured...Last Monday after my bike ride I noticed that my right knee began to hurt...and not in the IT band type of way....more so the knee cap/runner's knee...this is a totally new feeling...I took it easy for the remainder of the week and stretched/iced/rolled and did my 16km long run Sunday...I also went to the podiatrist and he told me my orthotics are dead as well as my shoes and believes this could be the problem...both will be getting replaced this week...picking up the new orthotics tonight and the shoes have been ordered....I have been wearing my Birk's to work not going down any stairs....
ugh...so frustrated....two weeks ago I was feeling AMAZING and now I am worried if this could be caused by the bike as well and I have the 150km bike ride next weekend...needless to say...I am not in a good place...I have this horrible feeling that the shoes and orthotics won't make that big of a difference...hopefully will have some improvements this week with the orthotic and shoes and I will be back to my happy running self!
Anyone else out there have runner's knee? Going to wait another week before I get it looked at again by physio and one of the docs....
UPDATE: PHYSIO booked for thursday....not taking chances....
ugh...so frustrated....two weeks ago I was feeling AMAZING and now I am worried if this could be caused by the bike as well and I have the 150km bike ride next weekend...needless to say...I am not in a good place...I have this horrible feeling that the shoes and orthotics won't make that big of a difference...hopefully will have some improvements this week with the orthotic and shoes and I will be back to my happy running self!
Anyone else out there have runner's knee? Going to wait another week before I get it looked at again by physio and one of the docs....
UPDATE: PHYSIO booked for thursday....not taking chances....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Positive Self Talk
Last night at my Marathon Clinic we had Dr. Natasha Wesch a Sports Psychologist/Mental Skills Coach from the University of Western Ontario spoke to us. She was great...and it was appropriate to have her on one of the HOTTEST days of the year when it is so easy to talk yourself out of a run...or talk yourself into a bad run...
It was such a good reminder of how important it is to set goals, a positive long term vision and to creative positive affirmations...We know that half the battle with running is mental...I am a self-proclaimed "negative talker" when it comes to running...I can admit it...however I have noticed that with this training cycle and the half training cycle I am doing MUCH better than my previous half marathons and I feel better training for the marathon this time around...
Part of this is due to "Positive Self Talk" as soon as I hear the old "me" in my head I automatically start talking to myself in a different way...It can be a struggle however it is getting better...I liked Natasha's idea of doing Affirmations each morning or before runs...I have made up a fun one in my head and I am going to try and focus the next few runs on this affirmation and hopefully make it a habit...
Although I am doing well currently I want to ensure that on my Long/Hilly/Speed work training days that this continues...
What techniques have you used to help with the mental aspect of running??
It was such a good reminder of how important it is to set goals, a positive long term vision and to creative positive affirmations...We know that half the battle with running is mental...I am a self-proclaimed "negative talker" when it comes to running...I can admit it...however I have noticed that with this training cycle and the half training cycle I am doing MUCH better than my previous half marathons and I feel better training for the marathon this time around...
Part of this is due to "Positive Self Talk" as soon as I hear the old "me" in my head I automatically start talking to myself in a different way...It can be a struggle however it is getting better...I liked Natasha's idea of doing Affirmations each morning or before runs...I have made up a fun one in my head and I am going to try and focus the next few runs on this affirmation and hopefully make it a habit...
Although I am doing well currently I want to ensure that on my Long/Hilly/Speed work training days that this continues...
What techniques have you used to help with the mental aspect of running??
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Love Actually...
After running races and training cycles we always come out with lessons learned etc...I have always had a hate relationship with gels/sports drinks and general gastro issues...I had learned nothing....UNTIL this training cycle where I found Nuun and now my newest love...I actually look forward to my long runs so I can take this latest gel...
For years I stuck to the fruity flavoured gels...I thought that the vanilla,espresso or chocolate would just taste fake and horrible...As a chocolate snob I refused to try any of those as I thought I would hate the taste and be left thirsty...Well this weekend I tried..
It was the BEST...I love chocolate and have NO idea of why I haven't tried this before...I actually think it fooled my stomach when taking it because for the first time EVER I had no GASTRO issues while running...
Lesson learned...try try and try again and you will find something that works for you and your stomach...and really it might just be love actually...
For years I stuck to the fruity flavoured gels...I thought that the vanilla,espresso or chocolate would just taste fake and horrible...As a chocolate snob I refused to try any of those as I thought I would hate the taste and be left thirsty...Well this weekend I tried..
It was the BEST...I love chocolate and have NO idea of why I haven't tried this before...I actually think it fooled my stomach when taking it because for the first time EVER I had no GASTRO issues while running...
Lesson learned...try try and try again and you will find something that works for you and your stomach...and really it might just be love actually...
Friday, July 2, 2010
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