This Little Piggy.

This little piggy went to market to buy new running socks,

This little piggy stayed home for a recovery day,

This little piggy had a bowl of pasta,

This little piggy had none.

This little piggy went ...

Wee, wee, wee, all the way to the finish line!

New Running Socks- They had a sale. What can I say?

I amuse myself sometimes. I'm not posting about nursery rhymes but rather piggy toe covers. OK, socks.  Some women hoard shoes. I hoard running socks (my wife would say that I hoard any kind of socks but that is for another day). 

My obsession, oink oink, I mean my interest ( that's what we'll call it) in running socks came about similarly to refueling gels. There is a cornucopia of brands and styles to choose from. I hadn't ventured too far down the pigpen, sorry, road, until recently.  I used to just buy the cheaper entry level socks that caught my eye.  It's not like I needed the state-of-the-art ones that track the amount of perspiration being expelled every 1/10th of a mile along with other key data that is then relayed back to my sock app on my smartphone for in-depth analysis. That would be pretty cool though. 
 

As with other running gear, you get what you pay for though. Snort, snort. I finally realized that running is my "thing" and that I should invest appropriately in gear that I buy based on functionality, convenience and comfort. 

That said, here are my top sock picks (I won't drag this out like I did with the gels!):

Number 3: Feetures High Performance Light Cushion
These socks are great and come with some beneficial features like power bands that hug your feet to provide a snug fit that eliminates movement and blisters.  They contain iWick fibers which wick mositure away from your feet to keep them dry.  They also have a Y-heel construction that keeps the socks from sliding into the shoe.  These socks have no irritating toe seam which is great on long runs.  I also tried the Feetures Elite which have Sock-Lock Support System.  However, I found that these were way to tight and restrictive so they did not make the top list.

Number 2: Smartwool Run Light Cushion
What a comfortable sock!  These are the first pair of running socks that I've ever purchased that contain wool.  I had heard a lot of positive things about socks that contain wool but never really considered them until now.  I'm glad that I finally did.  They have just the right amount of cushioning which makes my feet feel full in my sneakers (that probably sounds pretty weird).  These socks also have banding to hug your feet which provides for a snug fit.  They also have high heel tabs which protect your heel from rubbing on your shoe.  They keep your feet warm on cold days and cool on warm days.  Go figure.  How can you not love a pair of socks that have "Feels Good" stitched into the inside lip.  Truth in advertising I say!

Number 1: Balega Hidden Contour
These are my all time favorite running socks.  I cannot wait to put these puppies on my piggies whenever I go for a run!  They have the same great features as the previous two brands of socks but they've taken them to the next level.  These socks contain a mix of wool, polyester & nylon.  This allows for all of the benefits of wool but in a softer feel.  They are so comfortable to wear it feels like I'm running on a set of clouds (well maybe not that dramatic but they are incredibly comfortable).  I have worn these socks on several long runs and a 1/2 marathon race with no blisters.  The manufacturer of these socks got it all right.  These are fantastic running socks that have everything going for them.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

New Gear.

What to do with some gift cards?  Buy new running gear of course.  I've had a few gift cards laying around just waiting for the right opportunity to use them.  Well, that opportunity finally showed its purdy little face yesterday.  Oh, darn!  Shucks!  I had bought some new cold weather running gear last month but have recently found that it keeps me a bit too warm so I wanted to get a few lighter items along with a couple of other necessities.

True Runner here I come (I'm so glad that they have come to Boston)!  I started out looking for a good windbreaker that would help cut that pesky wind while running along the Charles.  After much back and forth between three different jackets (my wife would say that it was back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and then back and forth X 20), I ended up with the Infinity Elite Series from PEARL iZUMi.  I ran today with it for the first time and absolutely loved it!  It kept me so much cooler than the Nike jacket that I previously had been using.  I even got a compliment from someone who said that they liked it so I guess I did OK. 

New Gear from True Runner

The next item on the shopping list, a new hat.  The cap that I had previously was a fleece hat and completely trapped the heat in and created "Mr. Wet" head.  I would always have completely drenched hair after running in it.  The first hat that I picked up yesterday was the one that I ended up getting.  This time only one back and forth.  It was a Nike Dri-Fit Stay Cool cap which allows the moisture to wick away.  I wore it today for the first time and loved it as well!  It kept my head warm and just a bit moist.  So much better than having a full head of wet hair like I had just stepped out of the shower.

Socks. Seems like a very simple thing.  I found out that it really isn't.  I have some Asics socks for training but felt it was time to get some new socks while stepping it up a notch (no pun intended... well maybe it was).  Who knew that it would take me forever to figure out which ones I wanted to get this time around.  After much back and forth (I won't even list how many there were this time around as you would be so bored with just reading them over and over again).  I decided on the Feetures! Elite socks.  I was told that they have more compression than most socks.  Boy, was that an understatement!  There is a lot of compression in them but felt that that was a good thing when I took them for a run today.  It took a bit to get used to them but I think that they are going to work out well.  I think that I'm going to try wool socks next (no, not the scratchy sheep smelling ones).

I finally picked up a foam roller too.  The "Original The Grid" is the one I decided on.  I've heard so much about them and have wavered on getting one but figured that I should give it a shot.  I've used it a few times and it is great.  Definitely worth picking up.

Finally, I picked up some re-fueling gels.  I'll get into refueling and all of the different gels that I've tried in a future post.

Getting the right gear definitely makes such a difference in helping to make the most out of a run.  The better equipped that you are the better you will perform and the better you will feel about what you have done.  Thank goodness for those gift cards!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!