CEP Socks Update

Earlier in the month in the post "Not Just for Grandma Anymore!", I reviewed CEP Compression Running Socks as a means for quicker recovery. CEP running socks are the first scientifically proven compression running socks to maximize power, boost energy, and speed recovery time. CEP Running O2 Sportsocks maximize muscle oxygenation and boost energy with CEP's compression technology for all-day benefits. The company says that you’ll run with less effort, increased speed, decreased recovery time, reduced fatigue and optimized performance.

I tested the socks for recovery purposes and was extremely pleased. To read that review [click here]. Derek, the president of the company encouraged me to try the socks while running too. So that's what I did this past week. I ran an 9-miler and a 5-miler wearing the socks. Both times I was pleasantly surprised with how good they felt. It's hard to describe, but your legs, the calves especially, just felt solid. I suppose that's due to the compression. My calves, especially the left one tends to tighten up, especially on longer runs. I experienced no tightening on the 9-miler.

The 5-miler I ran was a very last-minute kind of run. My daughter has been home sick for the past three days, so I haven't been able to run. On Thursday, however, my 13-year old daughter offered to watch her little sister, if I wanted to run. I wasn't sure which to be happier over, that my 13-year old offered to watch her little sister without any prompting or the fact that I was able to run. Both were great! So, I yanked on my CEP Socks and running shoes and flew out the door. I decided to make this a 5-miler a tempo run so I could get back to my nursing duties. Man, I'm not sure if it was the adrenaline rush from being able to run, or the socks, but between the two, I was quit speedy! I felt the same support as on the long run.

After each run, I took a quick shower and put the socks back on for a couple of hours for recovery. My kids tease me about my new black "dress socks" that I wear around the house (my CEP Socks are black). I really did have strong reservations about wearing "socks" when running and how effective they'd be, but I'm a believer now.

The chart at the left shows you the benefits of wearing CEP Socks and how they compare to the competition.

If you're interested in getting your own pair, now is the time! CEP Socks is offering the readers of RunnerDude's Blog a special 10% discount. The company has a great 30-day money back guarantee, which is great so you can test them out and see what you think with really nothing to lose. If you'd like to take advantage of the discount, just click on the special RunnerDude CEP Sock button on the right-hand side under the "Runners Market." While you're at the Runners Market area, also check out PaceTat, The Stick, and RoadID for some other really cool and useful running products.

Good to the Last Drop!

A buddy of mine swears the cup-a-Joe he downs before running helps his performance. I too am a coffee aficionado and you probably wouldn't want to be around me before I've had my morning cup. So I did a little digging into coffee and running. Turns out my buddy, Gary, is a pretty smart dude.

I came across a Running Times article that shares a couple different theories on the subject. Some experts believe that caffeine improves endurance by increasing the enzyme activity for fat metabolism. By using more fat, a long-distance runner's glycogen stores last longer allowing him/her to run farther. But caffeine also seems to help runners of shorter distances. So what's the deal? Other experts credit the enhanced performance on caffeine's stimulation of the central nervous system, which increases alertness and concentration. Some cool studies have shown that stimulation of the central nervous system can effect the perception of effort, so drinking that cup of coffee may make a given pace seem easier than a on day you didn't have your java infusion.

But coffee is a diuretic, right? So should we be concerned about dehydration? Caffeine can cause dehydration, but guess what? Research shows that caffeine is less of a diuretic in people who drink caffeinated beverages on a regular basis. Wee Doggie!!

The experts do warn, however that you should only consider using caffeine if you're already in good shape, eat a good diet, and don't have any medical problems such as high blood pressure.

My digging also opened my eyes to the world of coffee-house running groups. My running group, the BlueLiners, tops-off its weekly long run by meeting for bagels and coffee and evidently other groups all over the country do too. The Joe Coffee Running Team , the Washington Running Club, the Mebane Running Club, and the Tucson Grinders, are just a few of the many groups across the country that begin or end their group runs at a coffee house.