CEP Running Progressive Compression Socks: Maximize Performance and Recover Quicker Too!

I've been a big believer in compression socks for several years now. My brand of choice is CEP Socks. I've mainly used them for recovery from regular long runs as well as to help rebound quicker from injury. Next to an ice bath, there's nothing I've tried after a long hard run that helps me recover and rebound quicker than compression socks.

After that long hard run, I'll slip on my compression socks for a couple of hours and it really does the trick. About a year ago, I experienced a severe calf cramp during a run. Had to hobble a mile back to my car. The rest of that week, each night before going to bed, I slipped on my compression socks and slept in them. Helped me recover much quicker than not wearing them. I was back to running in a few days.

So how do they work? Basically, it's your grandmother's support hose gone techno! Seniors have been experiencing the benefits of compression hosiery for decades. It helps with circulation in the extremities. Compression socks for runners and other athletes work on the same premise.

The CEP Compression Sportsocks support the arteries and the supply of oxygen to the musculature. The special and patented compression of the CEP Compression Sportsocks increases the ambient pressure. As a result the musculature in the arterial wall relaxes and a relaxed musculature increases the arterial diameter and consequently the blood flow through the arteries.

So what does all of this mean? An increase in performance. CEP reports that when wearing the socks, it's possible to reduce the running time by about 5% (i.e., about 12 minutes from a 4hr marathon). They also report that the socks help to provide an easier run because exertion is reduced by about 6% for the same running time since the muscles have to work less. And best of all (in my opinion), they provide for a quicker recovery.

They're also a great way to keep your kids in line. I threaten mine all the time that if they don't behave I'll wear my compression socks with dress shoes and a pair of Bermuda shorts the next time I pick them up from school. (He He!)

Back in 2009, I tested and reviewed the new CEP Compression Running Sock. Loved it. So, when they recently came out with the new Running Progressive Compression Sock, I had to test it out too. Basically it does all that the original sock does, but it has a slick new design. I tested the Progressive sock on runs as well as for recovery after some long runs. As with the original sock, the Progressive gave me an extra supportive feel on the runs and aided in a quick recovery.

The new CEP Running Progressive Compression Socks definitely get 5 Dudes out of 5 Dudes on the RunnerDude Rating Scale.Be sure to check out all the CEP Sock styles for running as well as other sports at http://www.sportsocks.com/. CEP Socks is a part of a bigger family of foot related websites with Aleva Stores. Check it out. Cool Stuff! Also, be sure to check them out on Twitter.

Note: While CEP Socks did provide a pair of the Progressive socks for me to test and evaluate, I was not in any way encouraged to write a positive review, nor was I paid for writing this review. This review is based on my own personal experience using the product.

Ease Back Into It

Have you been laid-up from running for several weeks due to an injury or some other life obstacle? When you're ready for your return to running, be sure to ease back into running.

Many runners eager to get back in the swing of their regular running routine, try to start back at the pace and intensity of their original pre lay-off routine. While mentally you might be ready to bounce back to your normal pace, your body probably isn't quite up to speed with your brain. Many a runner has headed out full speed on their return to running re-injuring themselves only to be laid-up even longer. So, take it slow.

If you were laid-off from running for 6 weeks or more, use the following plan to get back up to speed. If you're an experienced runner and you were able to do some cross-training while you were off, then take about a month to ease back into your regular routine. Baby steps at first. Begin with a 5-minute warm-up walk followed by a 10 to 15-minute run every other day. Increase the run by a few minutes each day. The following week, switch to running two days at a time followed by a rest day. Remember to keep all your runs at an easy pace. By the third week, you should be up to around a 30-minute run. During the next week, add another running day, making it three-days-on and one-day off (still keeping it at an easy pace). By Week 5 you should be back to running 4-6 days a weeks and you can start upping the pace and adding in some varied workouts. (Keep in mind that due to specific injuries, your doctor's return-to-running plan may be different. Be sure to follow his/her plan.)

May 2010 be an injury-free running season for all!

Not Just for Grandma Anymore!

The sports world has latched onto something seniors the world over have known for a long time—support hose or "Granny Stockings" are a good thing. Grandma used them to help with tired, aching and swollen legs—often the result of poor circulation. The blood flow from the lower legs often slows causing congestion as people age.

CEP Compression Sportsocks has taken the premise of the support stocking to a whole new level that will benefit athletes of all kinds, especially runners. The CEP Compression Sportsocks support the arteries and the supply of oxygen to the musculature. The special and patented compression of the CEP compression sportsocks increases the ambient pressure. As a result the musculature in the arterial wall relaxes and a relaxed musculature increases the arterial diameter and consequently the blood flow through the arteries.

So what does all of this mean? An increase in performance. CEP reports that when wearing the socks, it's possible to reduce the running time by about 5% (i.e., about 12 minutes from a 4hr marathon). They also report that the socks help to provide an easier run because exertion is reduced by about 6% for the same running time since the muscles have to work less. And best of all (in my opinion), they provide for a quicker recovery.

I tested the CEP Running 02 Sportsocks. The socks come in three sizes (III, IV, V) based on your calf circumference. I wore the size IV for calves that measure 15.5"- 17.5" (39-44cm). I'm not an elite runner, so I wasn't as interested in the cutting-time aspects of the socks as I was the speeding-up-recovery-time benefits of the socks. My testing of the socks consisted of wearing them for the recovery benefits after a 5-miler (sprinkled with some fartleks), a speed workout (repeats), and an 11-miler.

After the 5-miler, I wore the socks for about an hour. They're definitely compression socks and have a very tight fit, but they were not binding. Surprisingly they were very comfortable. After removing the socks, my legs did feel pretty good. Refreshed.

A few days later, I wore the socks after completing a speed workout. Even though my total distance was only about 3 miles, the workout was fairly intense. I'm usually wiped out after a speed workout. This workout was no different. So, afterward I slipped on my CEP socks. This time I wore them around the house for about 2 hours. Typically the following day after a speed workout, my legs feel tight, especially when first waking up the next morning. This time however, they felt pretty limber.

My final test before writing this review was to wear them after a longer run (an 11-miler). This run was rather hard because of the heat and humidity. It's only May, but today it got close to 90°F and the humidity was terrible. I'm a profuse sweater and I have to be careful to hydrate well on days like this. Even when I do, I still often end up a bit dehydrated. When this happens, the place I feel it the most is in my calves. They tend to stiffen up and sometimes cramp when I get dehydrated. Today was a hot one and as usual, my calves felt really tight after the run. Once I got home I slipped on the socks. Kept them on for about 4 hours. They really felt great. The stiffness began to subside. But the best surprise was when I took off the socks. My legs felt like normal, not like I had hours earlier run an 11-miler in 90° heat.

Conslusion? I love these socks!

I may just take the socks for a run soon. I have a marathon coming up in the fall and I'm trying to qualify for Boston. Shaving off some time would be awesome. Until then, I definitely plan on wearing my CEP Sportsocks as a part of my recovery regimen. I highly recommend you give CEP Sportsocks a try. Plus they have a 30-day money back guarantee!

The only recommendation I'd give CEP is to include some information regarding how long to wear the socks for recovery purposes. I suppose this would vary from person to person as well as on the distance run, but I felt like I was guessing as to how long I should wear them. Also, I just assumed I should put them on pretty soon after my runs, but I wasn't really sure. All worked out well, but some guidance on this on the packaging or on an insert inside the box would be helpful.

CEP socks are great for all types of sports—walking, cycling, running, trekking, skiing, soccer, basketball, and more. 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.