I’ve worn compression socks for 3 out of my 4 marathons, and I’m pretty sure I’ll wear them in October for the Chicago marathon too. My favourite compression socks are Pro Compression, so when they contacted me about hosting a giveaway for you guys, I was all over it. To win a pair of Pro Compression Marathon socks (you don’t have to run a marathon in them!) either comment below with your sock of choice or tweet about this post (using @charliedwatson and @procompression in the tweet) and you’ll have a choice of their snazzy colours! Open to UK and US residents, competition closes 1st June 2015.
As well as wearing compression socks, I also own a couple of pairs of compression leggings. I really like the 2XU- and although very unattractive to put on, they feel nice and snug once you’ve pulled them up fully! Plus I’m obsessed with patterned leggings at the moment, so these Alpha Printed leggings from Under Armour fit the bill of being functional and fashionable.
But some of you are probably wondering what the benefits of compression are for running.
Why wear compression for running?
Compression gear is designed to circulate your blood back to your heart and lungs more efficiently, replenishing the oxygen and nutrients in your muscles more quickly.
Wearing compression socks, sleeves or leggings can;
- Improve recovery speed and minimise muscle soreness, which is why a lot of people wear them during or after running to help reduce the effects of the long run on their legs.
- You’ll lose less energy from your muscles vibration, mostly through the quad and calf.
- It raises blood lactate accumulation, meaning that you’ll be able to run harder for longer before lactic acid becomes a real problem and you experience cramps.
- Improves anaerobic and aerobic threshold.
- Decreases injury risk, the force of the impact from the ground up the legs is lessened, this reduces the stress. They can also help support and stabilise areas of previous injury.
- Compression gear gently squeezes the muscles helping keep them warm to allow them to work more efficiently.
Don’t forget to enter the competition to win a pair of Pro Compression marathon socks or sleeve of your choice, you can also use the code PRO15 for 40% off. I’m planning on placing an order really soon so email me (charliewatson88@hotmail.co.uk) if you want to club together on postage 🙂
As someone that naturally runs on their forefoot and overloads their calf, I would LOVE to win a pair of these!!
That’s a really helpful post Charlie! I’ve been umming and erring whether to get some for a while as my calves are my main problem with injury and tiredness too! They do really cute colours too – I love the orange boom ones! I’m so glad I found your blog! 🙂
I’m big compression sleeve fan and have tried several brands to find the best for me. Always wear sleeves for races and most training, usually pink! Love the bright colours of these, especially the ones in your pic! Always on the lookout for new ones to try! Great blog!
This year in particular I have taken up wearing compression socks for longs runs and wore them for both Brighton and London marathons, and you can really see the benefits!! I’m hoping to enter an autumn marathon later this year, and the Pro Conpression socks in Neon Yellow would deff be my choice! Abi x
These are awesome! I love the neon yellow swirl ones that you’re wearing in your race pic 🙂 I wear compression socks after a long run but have never tried during – mainly because my socks are actually flight socks; I wouldn’t want to run in them!! 😉
I’ll be doing my first marathon in Paris next year, and my main problem I have at the mo is really tight calves so I’m looking into compression socks when I start the training! The bright blue ones definitely! 🙂
Are they shipping to the UK now? Love the one pair of Pro Compression socks I have but the last time I checked, they wouldn’t ship outside of the US. I need a pair of the lime green or the classic stripe ones!
Hi Jen, they do ship to the US- I’m planning on placing an order so feel free to email me charliewatson88@hotmail.co.uk and I can add your order to mine to save on shipping if you like!
I’m a big fan of compression sleeves/socks after training, but haven’t worn them during a run- would love to give it a go with some colourful Pro Compression ones! I love the Aqua Swirl ones 🙂
I’d love to try compression socks for my next long race. The Orange Boom socks are so snazzy!
I only recently bought a pair of compression calf sleeves after getting an injury. I wish I’d bought them sooner, I can certainly tell the difference between running with and without them. The calf sleeves I bought were just plain black so it would be awesome to own a bright pair. I love the Marathon Long Sock in Neon Pink!
Never tried compression socks– so the Aqua long socks look like a good punt! 🙂 Happy Running
I’m loving the Orange Boom! socks http://procompression.com/marathon-orange-boom/
I love my 2XU tights too. I’ve run in RMR compression socks, but would love to try done PRO compression ones
Err … let’s discuss the Pro Compression “Marathon, Orange Boom!” socks, surely those colours will make your legs go faster! Surely!!!! I love compression socks for post run but now I think I might have to try during and see what difference it makes!
Loving your blog! Another great post. I’ve recently got my boyfriend into running and convinced him to sign up for the Edinburgh Half Marathon this year and Full Marathon next year (with 4 other half marathons in between). He has varicose-veins (he is not an OAP I promise) so compression socks would really help him out. I would LOVE to win the BRIGHTEST possible pair you could find for him. 🙂 Thanks! Abbie
Haha great reason for wanting them! I might order Tom some too!
I’ve been pondering trying these. It’s interesting that none of the Kenyan athletes seem to use them but they seem to offer benefits to European athletes. Must be different rubing and training styles? I’d go for classic marathon black stripe. Go faster stripes!
I’ve been pondering trying compression socks recently. Everyone seems to be using them. it’s interesting though how among the elites, the Kenyans don’t seem to use them as much. I wonder if it’s a different style of training that means they hold less benefit for them? I love the Neon swirl but I think in reality I’d go classic and wear http://procompression.com/marathon-classic-stripe/
Hi Charlie love your blog! Great to see a girl like me not taking life too seriously and loving running…really inspiring! My favourites are orange bloom!
Thanks Faye 🙂
Very helpful! I like the lime green ones! I have one pair of compression socks but I only wear them for recovery. They are a little too long on me and cover my knees : / so I’m looking to try a different brand and Pro Compression might be it.
I pop calf sleeves on post-run/ride/swim and I’m convinced they help 🙂 Mine are *super* dull though, these look lovely!
I wear them to support my ankles (and keep me warm) on the hills, and then overnight after tough stuff to aid recovery (my BF is a lucky man 😉 x
Forgot to say! My favourites are the Marathon, in Lavender! x
I’ve wanted to try compression socks for a while so great to hear your opinion on them. I think the lilac ones would go nicely with my favourite shorts!
I love compression for recovery or on long runs. I’d love those lavender calf sleeves!
I have pro compression socks and I love them! They’re great for recovery. I have them in red and blue but would love to add another color. 🙂
I finally tried out compression socks this year after some of my marathon training runs- not entirely sure how much they physically helped but they definitely made me feel better! Would love some more though…!
Loving the socks in Aqua or Yellow Swirl or the sleeves in Lime. I have one pair of sleeves in black that I love wearing for recovery, but haven’t tried wearing for a long run or race yet.
Ooooh -the marathon aqua swirl ones are fantastic! I find compression socks save me from shin splints if I wear them for long runs, and for recovery
How do you chose a favorite sock from Pro Compression!!!!!!!!!! I’m so torn between PC Runner Neon and Marathon Aqua Swirl … decisions decisions …
I’m going to say my favorite is PC Runner Neon because they just make me happier looking at them 🙂
I’d love to win these! I’ve never had compression socks because they are usually so expensive! I love the lime colored ones
never tried this brand, but would love to!
I love compression socks! I only have two pairs, but I cycle them through to make sure that every time I hit the road, I at have lower leg protection. After my first half marathon, I became a total believer in these things.
I usually wear compression socks after a long run, but now that I’m recovering from shin splints I started to think about running with them. You post came in a perfect timing!
I would love the marathon in lavender so I can use them for the Chicago Marathon!
See you in Chicago!!!
I’m a big fan of compression too and always wear compression socks/sleeves/tights for long runs and marathons. I could definitely use some new ones and like you I like a funky pattern. Can’t decide between black with neon dots and pink argyle as my favourite!
I’m fairly new to compression socks but having bought a bright pink pair, after reading about there benefits, I’m a convert. They certainly helped my recovery after the Hastings half marathon this year @charliedwatson @procompression & they have been very beneficial after my triathlon training brick sessions too. Good read & fingers crossed, I win another pair any colour & I’d be happy.
Hey Charlie, Another great article 🙂
I’d love to win a pair of the Pro Compression Marathon socks (Black). Got my first marathon four weeks from today. I’ve used compression socks after running before but never during.
By the way, I’ve noticed you wear a small pack when running marathons, how about an article on bag options and what you carry with you (how much water or other drink, snacks, gels etc.). Unless you’ve done this already?
Dave
Sure, great idea Dave! Which marathon are you running? x
Marathon, white, red and blue stripe. Great article, sounds very interesting.
I have never run with them but I love putting them on after a long run. ProCompression socks are amazing. I’m thinking of scooping up a “grab bag” set but of course, I’d love to win some!
I run with 2XU calf tubes over marathon socks. I like their lightweighness and ease of use.
I’ve been looking for a cute pair of these, and this brand makes some cute ones! I especially like the Aqua Swirl marathon socks.
mrsbrockavich48 (at)gmail (dot)com
I am a firm believer in compression, last weekend I celebrated my 40th birthday by running marathons on back-to-back days. I wore compression socks during the events and pants between while in the car and at the hotel. I’m a big fan of Swiftwick but would love to try Pro Compression, the Black Marathon socks with the grey stripes are my first choice. Thanks and happy running!
Hey there! I’ve been a lot on your blog lately and I’m loving it! Loads of useful posts, great job 🙂
I’ve signed up for my first ever half-marathon (the scottish half marathon in september!), and would love some extra support for the longer runs I’ll have to do! And the race itself… Would pick the lavender one 😛
Dave suggestion of post would be great, and I have another one, I’m looking into getting running shoes that would be ideal for longer runs and I would love to hear some advice/tips you could have!
Great idea Ginie, have posted about what I take with me today, and will get a post about running shoes up soon 🙂 Good luck with your half marathon training!
I’m a big fan of procompression – I wore them for my first marathon, NYC last November, and I’ll definitely wear them for my next! I’d love a pair in a fun pattern, maybe polka dots or argyle.
Wanted some for Christmas and OH gave me plain black boring ones!! No idea of make!! But they work – now time to up grade to some better quality, snazzy ones …..
I’ve never used compression socks before heard good things about and keep meaning to give them a go. Brighter the better I’d say 🙂 Great blog.
Fab post and very helpful I’m in the process of recovering from shin splints and am keen to try compression socks to help recovery and rehab. I love the orange bloom socks!
I love the feeling of compression socks after long runs. I don’t wear them during running usually, only during marathons, but I do wear them after hard training runs and these days I wear them more and more to Crossfit too to protect my legs from rope climbs or from heavy deadlifts 🙂
I love the baby blue marathon socks 🙂
I’d like to try a pair in red.
I would love a pair of marathon compression socks to train in for my first marathon this fall! I wore compression socks during a half marathon last year and had less soreness than the half marathon I ran in March where I didn’t wear compression gear.
I’d love to try the black marathon classic stripe!
PC Runner, Neon, low!
Pro Compression is my FAVORITE brand – I wear them all the time and love them for overseas airplane flights too!
xoxo from London
I love to use pro compression sleeves for recovery, but you’ve inspired me to use them on the run as well!!