Humans are capable of incredible things. They can climb to the tops of mountains, swim across Great Lakes, and run distances that test the very fabric of their being. Recently one of our LEGEND™ Athletes, Kelly Meyer, also a member of the team at West Stride in Atlanta, proved her incredible capability as she tested herself and won the Overall Female Competition at the Savannah Rock’n’Roll Marathon.
As we head into the new year, and runners and athletes around the world are setting their personal goals for 2016, we would like to share some of our thoughts on marathon training with industry tips including how compression socks & sleeves can play a major role in your training and competition. Marathon training is one of those activities that separate the weak from the strong, but also one that can take a toll on even the strongest among us. If your goals include entering this league of extraordinary ladies and gentlemen, then we encourage you to consider the benefits of wearing some extraordinary running socks and running sleeves.
Marathon training requires a lot of self-pampering. 26.2 miles worth of output is going to require some necessary intake. Dietary supplementation, a regular good night’s sleep, warm baths and ice packs. But perhaps the most crucial attention you could give yourself while marathon training is what you are wearing on your feet and legs. The same is true even if you run half marathons (13.1 miles) on a regular basis.
Running socks and running sleeves constructed with graduated compression technology are going to soften the blow that your feet and legs are undoubtedly going to receive while marathon training.
Fitness trainer and Active.com contributor Thad McLaurin cautions against common sources of injury during marathon training. He says, “Work your total weekly mileage up to 20 to 25 miles for at least a month prior to the start of your official training. If you start too soon with high intensity (pace and/or distance) before your training even begins, you’re just asking for trouble. You’ll either over train and risk injury and burnout, or you’ll peak too soon.”
When it comes to avoiding injury and leg fatigue, graduated compression is your best friend. The LEGEND Compression Performance Sock is our best selling and recommended product to use during exercise. We also offer LEGEND Compression Leg Sleeves which target shin splint and calf cramp relief through calf muscle containment. The final piece of our recommended compression ensemble is our LEGEND Compression Recovery Socks. These recovery socks feature a higher level of compression at 20-30 mmHg vs. 15-20 mmHg found in the LEGEND Performance Socks and Leg Sleeves. The benefit of the higher compression is that they push out the lactic acid that is built up during a marathon in order to help your legs and feet heal faster between runs. Our extensive line of compression running socks and running sleeves are the perfect accompaniment to your marathon-training regimen.
As part of another brand we support, the OS1st ® CS6 Calf Sleeve and the FS6+ Foot & Leg Sleeve are also excellent choices. The FS6+ sleeve improves blood circulation and prevents common runner injuries like tendonitis, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis with the aid of graduated compression and an emphasis on full-range support by dividing the foot into 6+ key support zones. The CS6 ®is a calf sleeve that applies the healthy benefits of graduated compression to the calf, across 6 zones.
With a combination of good compression running socks and sleeves and a well thought out running plan, your marathon training sessions are bound to go more smoothly. Before long you’ll be running across the finish line and loving how your legs and feet feel from LEGEND Compression Wear’s graduated compression technology.
OS1st CS6 and FS6+ are registered trademarks of ING Source, Inc.