Training for my first Half Marathon

knk1553
knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm not new here, by any means, I've actually been logging consistently for over a year and was on and off for 6 months before that. I've done it all, tons of cardio, various heavy lifting programs, and about 2 months ago I committed to my first half marathon. I'm running it with my roommates on Nov. 3rd and its a very beginner friendly course.

However, I'm looking for more runner friends (most of mine are lifters, which don't get me wrong, I LOVE lifting, but I also have found out I love running) because I do have a lot of questions as a first time runner!

On to my question anyways... Compression socks, what are peoples opinions on them? yay? nay? good? bad? My longest run thus far has been 10 miles and within the past 2ish weeks I've noticed a lot of pain in my calves down through my heel after my run as well as general stiffness in my legs. I do try to stretch, foam roll, and am going to add in a good stretching yoga on one of my rest days as I get a lot of hip pain and tightness. My shoes have around 150 miles (max) on them and I was fitting for them so I don't think thats the problem. My roommate is also having problems with pain on the top of her foot/ankle area that radiates up the side of her calf after runs and she's really stiff as well. Any tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • knk1553
    knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
    bump....
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    why do you need more friends?? you already have me.
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    Compression socks helped me. At first I wore them for all my runs since I almost always had calf pain/tightness. Now I only wear them for my long run once a week, and keep them on for at least a few hours after the run. I've tried Zensah, CEP, and 2XU and the 2XU's are definitely my favorite with CEP a close 2nd. The Zensah socks felt thinner and stretched out within two months.
  • knk1553
    knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
    why do you need more friends?? you already have me.

    Yes, yes, Danny I know you are the #1 friend to have :)
  • BAMarsh
    BAMarsh Posts: 72 Member
    I have compression socks and only ever wear them after a run. I know a lot of people run in them, but I never have.

    Anyway - they help a lot - keep the swelling down, help rejuvenate your muscles after a long run. I also find soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts is a miracle worker. I had a 9 mile run a few weeks ago and my legs ached horribly after - 15 minutes in the Epsom bath and they were much better. It helps draw out the lactic acid that's a result of running.

    Then the compression socks after that continues to help - I usually wear them all day after a long run.

    Oh - and do be sure to measure your calf and order the proper size - they will be tight, they will be a PITA to put on and pull off - they are supposed to be. So don't size up thinking looser is better.

    :)
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I personally think compression socks are voodoo. But my training partner swears they help her. Give it a try. If it helps you, it doesn't matter what the reason is.

    How much are you running a week? Keep in mind this may not be true for everyone, but when I was only running 20-25 mpw for my HM training, I was having general aches and pains, some tiredness and regular fatigue. Once I increased to 30-35 mpw, that stuff went away. In fact I've never had more energy, and running no longer feels like exercise. It feels like transportation. I don't know if this is normal.
  • AMNimlos
    AMNimlos Posts: 34 Member
    Compression socks can definitely help lower leg issues because they bring more blood (hence oxygen) and help remove lactic acid faster (because it speeds up circulation in the legs from the compression -- it squeezes the blood basically), and both of these can reduce pain and help repair muscles. Honestly your best bet is just to give them a try! What works for one runner may not work for another, but from what you've written it certainly wouldn't cause any damage.
  • knk1553
    knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
    I personally think compression socks are voodoo. But my training partner swears they help her. Give it a try. If it helps you, it doesn't matter what the reason is.

    How much are you running a week? Keep in mind this may not be true for everyone, but when I was only running 20-25 mpw for my HM training, I was having general aches and pains, some tiredness and regular fatigue. Once I increased to 30-35 mpw, that stuff went away. In fact I've never had more energy, and running no longer feels like exercise. It feels like transportation. I don't know if this is normal.

    Right now its about 20-25 miles a week just based off what hte program is with 1 day of crosstraining (generally the elliptical for 30 mins - 1 hour) a week.

    I don't mind my long runs, but after them for a good hour I seriously feel like I can't move or walk and am SO stiff and that night if I don't take advil I can't sleep because of the aching. I'm generally a pretty achey person, but it just got worse after my long runs hit 9+ miles.

    I do believe I am going to try them, and I did buy epsom salts to use as a soak after my long runs, just the last time I used them I passed out cold for a couple hours, its like not only do the draw the lactic acid out of my muscles, they draw out all of my energy as well.

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