Product Review: RecoverySox and TravelSox

This is incredible delayed, but better late than never. I will return to your regularly scheduled blabbing tomorrow, so just bear with me here.

As I know I've mentioned a LOT, my main point of injury is always my shins and lower legs. Every time I train for a marathon or do too much speedwork I get shin splints and super sore calves. I stretch and ice and use the foam roller and try to run on soft surfaces... in other words, I've tried everything. At the peak of my training for CIM I realized there was one other thing I had yet to try: compression socks. If you don't use them yet yourself, I'm sure you've at least seen them on the Olympic runners or on the Ironman coverage. I am in no place to go into the science of it, but it's all about stimulating blood flow in your lower legs. Several companies make some meant to be worn during running, but I never got around to purchasing them.

Well, right before the marathon, I was contacted by the company that makes RecoverySox and TravelSox, and they offered to send me some pairs to try out. Of course I want free stuff, so I said sure. I was already well into my taper, so I didn't end up wearing them at all while running. Instead, I used them for their other purposes: recovery and travel.

I wore them after some of my runs during the taper and I liked them! It felt good to have them kind of gently squeezing my lower legs. Other than that, I can't say they performed any miracles... my legs still hurt like hell. But, to be fair, I'd run myself ragged for months and I doubt a pair of socks was going to make a dent in that. It didn't hurt though, and also... look how sexy!

So, kind of 'meh' on the RecoverySox, but I actually was really excited about the TravelSox. See, my mother-in-law in San Diego is an avid triathlete and also a nurse. She always gives me great advice about training and general health stuff. I love having someone with medical training in the family! Anyway, she has always really emphasized to me the risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis, or blood clots in the legs. This is scarily common in young athletes who travel or are otherwise sedentary immediately following intense or prolonged activity. If the clot breaks loose and travels to your heart or brain, you can die. Yikes. My mother-in-law has seen many cases of this and has known people who have had this happen (the blood clots, not death). I know you are supposed to move your legs around to keep the blood flowing, but compression socks are another way to keep yourself safe. Since I knew I was going to be flying home only hours after the marathon I wore the TravelSox. And as you may have guessed, I neither developed DVT nor died! Yay!

So that's my review! I hope you enjoyed it. If you are interested in buying some, check out the links above. Thanks for reading! :)