I was thrilled to win this giveaway. To be honest, I've been intrigued by the idea of compression socks but was not sure they would be worth the investment.Back in March when I ventured to my first half marathon sporting my oversized windbreaker and baseball hat (not even a sporty ventilated one), I kept seeing people with arm warmers, leg sleeves and all kinds of other get-ups I hadn't really seen as a newbie into the the actual 'racing' world of running. I remember coming home and actually googling some of the stuff because I didn't know what in the world half of it was supposed to be for. I kept reading good things about compression socks both for recovery and running, but wasn't sure if I believed it all!
The information on CEP's website (why CEP? page here) shows some great information on the benefits of their compression socks and has a great explanation of what and why compression works. When my socks arrived, I was thrilled because it was on the Friday before I was supposed to run my first 20-miler. Of course, that was the week that I ended up skipping it due to my shin and achilles pain so I ended up resting. When I read the information on their site about achilles tendon support and helping to prevent shin splints, I was certainly hopeful since that's exactly what I was suffering from!
Instead of running the long run, I did try out the socks on my unexpected rest day hoping they'd help my legs. They certainly felt great on my legs but that's about as much as I could report on them without more time to test.
Fast forward to this past week when I finally completed my 20-miler. Although I debated about wearing the socks for the run, I was a little hesistant about the possibility of blisters. I somewhat particular about socks so I didn't risk it, although I have read good things about them for running and due to their design they shouldn't cause any blisters.
Once again, after the run, I put on the socks. They felt great this time as well. My legs were achy after the 20 miles and I have to say they did feel better with the socks on. By the next day, my legs were feeling back to normal. Is it the socks? Well, I don't really know but I will say that now that I have them, I love them and plan to continue using them after all the long, hard workouts.
I'll also be trying them on a run soon...I'm definitely interested in seeing if their claim of 5% performance increase can hold true!
Thank you CEP!
Do you want to try a pair? The folks at CEP have offered to provide a pair to one of my readers. Please visit their website to learn more about their products and the benefits of them. Then, come back here and leave a comment on why you would like to try one of their products. I'll accept entries (one per person) through Sunday, September 12th and winner chosen at random will be announced early next week.
YAY! Not sure why but I've never broken down and BOUGHT me a pair!!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try them because they are super stylish and I'm sure they'd get my hubby all excited on date night.
ReplyDeleteOKAY-my legs hurt super bad after running outside due to all my "softer" treadmill running. That's why I want/NEED. ;)
I'd like to try a pair because they help with cramping....plus I think they are cool looking. :)
ReplyDeletei love compression socks. i recently purchased a pair. not the CEP, but a 'lesser/cheaper' version and i love em!!!
ReplyDeletei love them bc i do feel like my legs are fresher when i run in them (granted, i only wore them 1 time)
I would like to have a pair of the pink compression socks. I am training for my first half marathon and I have started having some achilles pain.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try a pair for recovery after long runs since I had a good experience with a compression sleeve on my calf after a calf strain while training. Plus, I think they'd give my wife a strong new reason to make fun of me.
ReplyDeleteThey're very cool looking and I'd look like a 'real' runner wearing them. Plus I'd like to see if they really help with blisters since I seem to be a blister magnet. And my calves always feel tight so maybe wearing these babies in conjunction with stretching would help.
ReplyDeleteCEP is friggin awesome!!! glad you are loving yours too
ReplyDeletei would wear them just for the coolness factor!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try a pair to help with muscle soreness in my calves.
ReplyDeleteI run in both the socks and with the sleeves, so I'd love to try some of their compression apparel.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try a pair for running in. 5% performance increase?! I want to wear a pair for my next half.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these as I have heard so many great things about the compression socks and am kind of like you where I wouldn't probably buy them, but would love to know first hand if they can help me. Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYES! I want a pair! I was just thinking yesterday how NICE compression socks would have felt after my LONG run!! I have compression sleeves that I wear WHILE running to help with my shin splints, but I'd love to have some compression socks to wear the day after I run!
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to win a pair. I have an old lady (read: beige) pair that I got at Walmart. I'd love to compare the two ... lol.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try compression socks and this post wants me to try them even more! I'd love to have the support for my shins that have been pretty weak as of late. And who wouldn't want to feel great after a 20 miler?! Sheesh, I felt like crap for weeks after mine.
ReplyDeleteSuper giveaway! I want these socks because I am reaching the peak of my marathon mileage (50+ miles a week) and my muscles need every bit of recovery that they can get. Plus I just really love knee socks.
ReplyDeleteCEP socks are the bomb! I am still lusting after a lime green pair!
ReplyDeleteI need every advantage I can get if I am going to run a 2:59 marathon this spring -
ReplyDeleteI also like the socks in green!
I would by them because I like what the site said about how they help with recovery!
ReplyDeleteHm, wow, interesting. It's like support hose for runners. I am thinking about trying them because, after all, I know from experience that support hose prevent leg fatigue while standing and moving at work. I'd try them running to see if they worked the same way during a race or long run!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you are feeling better and that these seemed to work for you! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try these! I have heard such great things about them! I'm in the middle of marathon training and my legs could definitely use the boost!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try these (especially either pink or lime green!) They would be awesome to wear after (or during) long runs!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try compression socks. I have never bought them because I didn't want to spend the money, but I would love to have something to wear after my long runs. sometimes my legs just ache. I love the black and the pink ones:)
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I have never tried compression socks but I know other runners rave about them. I would like a pair so I can wear them after my long runs to see if they really do help w/ the recovery!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a nurse and because I'm on my feet all day, I've used cheap-o compression stockings over the years with varied results. I would love to see how these fare after a long day in the clinic and a nice evening run.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the CEPs for the same reasons as you--prevention of shin and Achilles problems, and that 5% boost would be SWEET!
ReplyDeleteThis is my last stab at a CEP giveaway. If I don't win this one, screw it, I'm buying some. haha
I won a pair of sigvaris recovery socks and love them! I've heard some great things about CEP too! Like you, I've been googling running gear like crazy since i'm new to all the racing too! :) Glad you like them! Can't wait to hear how they work on a run!
ReplyDeleteI'm really curious to try a pair of compression socks.
ReplyDeleteAfter my serious calf cramps on my last long run, I really debated about dropping some cash on some of these bad boys...instead I took my monkeys to the beach:) I really would love these to see if they help!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to try a pair! I am training for the marine corp marathon and would love to wear these - especially since it's oct. 31st and then i can wear the socks with a skirt - no pants for me!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try these, so far I've used ice baths for recovery after runs, but feel like this would be a more comfortable way to reach that goal!
ReplyDeleteI love CEP compression! On day #122 of my running streak I am wearing them everyday so I really need a new pair in green. I already have pink but I will quickly wear them out at this rate!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like them and in time with more use you will love them!
I looove my compression socks. I don't know if I "believe" in them yet either haha, but they are comfy!
ReplyDeleteI have some Recovery Sock compression socks, and I'm curious to try CEP. They measure the size based on the calf muscle and Recovery's don't. I wonder which would work better or feel better. Cool giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try some of CEP's compression socks! I am also newer to running and could use every help and advantage possible! I really want some pink or green ones to run and recover in. Please let me win!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of a different brand of compression socks, but they're getting worn out and losing their compression. They make such a huge difference though. I'd love a new pair to help with my recovery!
ReplyDeleteI am training for my first half, and I'd love to try CEP socks. The pink are really cute! Also, I like that this company has a long history of Medical compression wear, not just for Athletes. Makes me think, they might know a thing or two about what they are talking about.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try a pair. I am running a half in a few weeks and could really use some help recovering quicker.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try a pair to help with recovery after my first marathon in November.
ReplyDelete