Hi there, friends! Thanks for all the love on my 5K post. I’m glad you continue to join me here. I sure love hearing from you!
Because I like you so much, here are some FRIENDS bloopers. ‘Cause who doesn’t love to laugh?
By the way, I’m watching that in Starbucks. Evidently people think it’s strange when you laugh out loud in a quiet coffee shop. Just a tip in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
Yesterday was a lovely day. It was sunny and about 70 degrees in NYC, so naturally I joined the masses at Central Park to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air.
I took the long way and walked 3.28 miles up to the park to study…aka people watch.
I do know that a straight line is the quickest path from point to point. But I wanted to be outside as much as possible!
So many happy people!
Once I had enough with studying the Sliding Filament Theory and way more than enough of the totally inappropriate conversation between the junior high kids sitting near me, I walked back (the short way!). When I got home, look what had arrived!
My first pair of CEP Compression Socks!
Why compression socks, you ask? According to the CEP website, this targeted compression gear aids in performance, endurance, and recovery by increasing blood flow and therefore increasing oxygen to your muscles. I don’t know about you, but I’d love a little help with recovery every now and then. Tell me one thing – am I weird/out of shape for being sore after a 10+ mile run? I’ve seen people write about a fast 12 miler one Saturday and then on Sunday another 8 recovery miles and a spinning class/dance party/hop-scotch tournament etc…and no soreness. Okay maybe not a hop-scotch tournament, you caught me. But still, is that normal? Yikes. Maybe I’m not getting enough protein. Or not wearing enough compression gear. We’ll see about that one.
I felt a little soreness from my comeback 5K (it was a little depressing to feel tight after 3.1 miles, but I’m trying to take it in stride) so I tried on my lovely new pink socks and proceeded to wear them the rest of the night.
I don’t know what the deal is, but they almost made my legs feel “soft”. And not the bad kind of soft, the kind where it feels like your calves are surrounded by fluffy clouds.
On Wednesdays, we wear pink!
Naturally I wanted to head out for a run, so I set out with a whopping two miles in mind. TWO MILES. What has my life come to. Again, I reminded myself to listen to my body, that I don’t want to re-injure myself, blah blah.
This is what I ended up with:
Again with the lack of consistency. Oops.
Now, I know that those numbers for a two mile run probably look horrible to most of you speedsters out there. But I’m actually pretty happy with them. I still felt tightness but nothing debilitating or out of the norm.
Including the walking (Is that allowed? Can I include the walking?) that brought my total for the day to: 3.28 mi + 2 mi = 5.28 miles. If I include the walk back from the park, it’s closer to 6 miles. I’ll take it.
So far I like the compression socks, but the real test will begin once I start officially training for my next half-marathon. Today my goal is to start working on a training plan that includes speedwork, hills, and running-specific strength training and drills. I really need to stop avoiding speedwork – I wish I could afford a coach but I guess me, Google, and a multitude of running books will have to do for now. But don’t worry, I will try to take my time to avoid overtraining and doing too much too soon.
Do you wear compression socks? What do you think?
Where do you get training plans from? Feel free to tell me your secrets!
Oh and I can’t forget…it’s MARCH MADNESS TIME! Let’s compare brackets! Who’s in your Final Four? I bet you can guess at least one of mine…
Can you find me in there?! I would enjoy participating in this celebration again...circa the 2008 KU National Championship. Source: KUAthletics.com
Rock Chalk!
I love my compression socks! I wish I could wear them every day but I only have two pairs. I think they really help after long runs or tough workouts!
Hi there! Thanks for the comment!
I just have the one pair for now, I may have to invest in more. How often do you run in them? (any tips for washing them?)
I want those pink compression socks! I’ve used Fitness Magazine’s Intermediate/Advanced Half Marathon plan for a while now – it was in the 2010 spring issue at some point (it is still online). I just did FIRST for the NYC Half, but with three runs a week, I kept missing some/doing them the next week, which was just silly because that is less runs than I usually do!
Hello! Thanks for stopping by! So, I started off doing a Hal Higdon plan, then one through Team in Training…but now I want a PR and am looking for a plan with more substance. I’m going to check out that Fitness Mag one ASAP! Thanks for the recommendation
ahaha!
Starbucks and Friends, few of my favorite things, can’t go wrong :]
Actually…I quote Friends like every day, some of my friends that haven’t seen the show are getting tired of me lol
Sometimes I end up being the only one laughing…alot haha !
Haha me too, my boyfriend doesnt get it…i’ll quote something and he will look at me weird, so I’ll sigh and say, “it’s a Friends quote…” ha! One of my good friends and I text each other quotes all the time. It’s kinda sad how much we know
Love Friends! And I loveee compression socks! I don’t run in them, but put them on after a long run and have noticed that I’m not as sore as I used to be. I use the Smart Coach (I think that’s what it’s called?) thing on Runner’s World and then revise the plan to work best for me (i.e., I need to have a rest day before a long run day, otherwise my long run is terrible). And…. GO UNC!
You’re a UNC fan! Not sure we can be friends
Justttt kidding – hopefully we will have a KU-UNC matchup this tournament! I’m down for making a running-related bet on the game if you are, haha!
I looked at the Smart Coach plan once too – I actually have that app on my phone but haven’t used it. I’ll have to try it out!
I am obsessed with compression socks! I have the CEP hot pink pair. I honestly think they help a lot. I wear mine when I sleep after a long run day.
I haven’t done a long run since I’ve had them, but so far I just like how they feel in general, haha. I’ll have to try sleeping in them – I wasn’t sure if you were “supposed” to or not!