This is a post about socks.
Yes, socks.
I never paid a lot of attention to my running socks. I have picked up a few pairs of special socks at running stores or race expos over time and they always suited me fine. They have a bit of compression through the arch and are made of a cotton-like moisture-wicking material. But to be perfectly honest I didn’t notice much of a difference between these special running socks and regular cotton athletic socks.
However, I recently received a few pairs of iRun Hybrid-Compression socks and I love them, so much that I won’t run in anything else.
The iRun socks are made of a smooth material and feature a compression arch that results in a very comfortable, snug fit. But I love them because they are lighter-weight than my other running socks and are excellent at controlling moisture. On long humid runs, my old running socks would get soaked through with sweat, even though they are made of a supposed moisture-wicking material (I’ll give my old socks the benefit of the doubt here as I sweat a lot). But these iRun socks with their lighter material do a better job keeping my feet (reasonably) dry.
So when I run in them, I actually notice my iRun socks. They are simply lighter, drier, and more comfortable than anything I’ve run in before.
Using Multiple Pairs of Running Shoes
If your feet are going to be logging some serious mileage, having the right pair of running shoes is a must. However, good running shoes aren’t cheap, so it makes sense to attempt to get the most mileage out of each pair as possible. One way I do that is to have multiple pairs of running shoes in use at once.
I have two pairs of my main running shoes for my regular runs. When I break in a new pair of shoes I’ll use them exclusively for treadmill running. My treadmill runs are shorter in duration and I find it easier to break in shoes over the course of several shorter runs. I’ll then designate my old treadmill shoes to outdoor running (and racing). By this time, they are well broken-in and feel great on my feet, perfect for races or long runs.
Having two pairs of shoes ensures that they get a chance to rest between runs. Shoes endure a significant amount of pounding over the course of a run: an average runner will log approximately 4800 steps on each foot during an hour-long run. Alternating between two pairs of running shoes gives each pair at least a day off between runs and allows the cushioning material to recover fulling before the next run. Additionally, if I go for a rainy day run or endure a sweaty run on a hot day, I know I’ve got a second pair ready to go and can let the wet pair dry thoroughly, again prolonging their running life.
When a pair of shoes has reached the end of its normal running life (usually at the end of the year), I’ll relegate the pair for trail running. In the winter and spring I run through the trails of the Cook County Forrest Preserve just south of Chicago. Trail running is excellent: the terrain is rolling and varied, the scenery is gorgeous, and the fresh air can’t be beat. However it’s not uncommon to encounter ice, snow, mud, puddles and horse manure on the multi-use trails, making these runs hard on shoes. So I get some extra miles of my oldest pair by sacrificing them for trail running.
USA Track and Field Gear
At the Green Bay Half Marathon Expo a few weeks ago, there was a booth selling official USA Track and Field gear. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the shirt I wanted in my size, but they gave me a coupon for free shipping from their online store (www.usatf.org/store). So I ordered it online and it came yesterday.
I love it.
Almost all my running tops are dry-fit shirts that came in the “goodie bag” from races. But it’s nice to have something other than a race shirt to run in. And what’s better than going out for a run wearing a shirt with “USA Track & Field” on the back? Especially in an Olympic year! And let’s be honest here: this is the only way I’m ever going to get to wear USA Olympic team gear. So while I won’t be settling into the starting blocks in London (or even watching from the stands in London), I can show my support for Team USA all summer on my lakefront runs.
I was surprised at the amount of items available in the USATF’s store. There’s a lot of apparel here, and most of it is very cool. Some of the items are a bit on the expensive side, but there is a lot of options on sale/clearance. The USATF online store is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for some unique running gear and a chance to support Team USA!
USA! USA! USA!