CEP Compression Review
Disclaimer: I received a pair of CEP Trail Merino Socks as well as a pair of Compression Socks for Recovery as a part of Influencer Day at The Running Event (TRE) which I was able to attend as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Day 5 of the 11 days of TRE Product Reviews! If you've been following my marathon training updates, you know that I've been having some issues with inflammation and soreness in my right IT-Band as well as my right shin/calf. Having never run in compression socks before, I was excited to get a few pairs at TRE and have definitely been putting them to good use!
I've run in compression tights before but putting the socks on for the first time, the first thing I noticed was that they're significantly tighter which I'd imagine makes them more effective while running. From CEP, I received a pair of Trail Merino Socks as well as their Compression Socks for recovery, both of which are full socks that run to just under my knee.
Trail Merino Socks
I've worn my Trail Merino Socks on quite a few runs already, especially on days when my shins were particularly tender. Although compression socks certainly aren't a miracle cure, I've been using them to help me to continue training while also working through a few aches and pains.
During exercise, one of the goals of the compression socks is to decrease muscle vibration during exercise which in turn can help to decrease some of the typical soreness you may feel during or after a workout. The socks are also designed to help increase blood flow to and from the heart during exercise. This helps not only with performance, but will also speed up recovery after a run.
As I said, compression socks won't necessarily fix an injury, but by wearing them while also working on rehabbing some slight shin-splints and a minor IT-Band flair-up, I've been able to avoid sidelining myself completely to recover. The compression socks have made a huge difference in how my legs feel during my runs and an even bigger difference in mitigating soreness after a run.
Compression Socks for Recovery
As I mentioned, I'm very new to compression socks, and one thing I learned from the folks at CEP is that you're only supposed to wear compression socks during activity. Wearing their performance socks during day-to-day life can actually restrict blood flow since your legs are being constricted while your heart isn't pumping nearly as hard as during activity.
That's where the compression socks for recovery come into play. CEP Compression Socks for Recovery are slightly less constricting than the performance socks but still use graduated compression to help increase blood flow to the muscles in the lower let. Just like during exercise, the added blood flow helps get oxygen to the muscles to speed-up recovery.
Final Thoughts
What I've found to be the perfect combination is to wear the Trail Merino Socks on my morning run to help keep my legs fresh mid-workout. Then, once I'm home and cleaned up for work, I'll throw on the recovery socks to help maintain the increased blood flow throughout the day.
This has made a significant difference in my training because it's kept me from being sidelined from running while my legs recover. I've still got my rehab routines and am working on strengthening some support muscles to help alleviate the tenderness in my shins and IT-Band, but wearing compression socks has allowed me to keep up with training while my legs continue to recover.
I'm actually wearing the recovery socks as we speak and wore them probably 2-3 days last week. I basically take them off just long enough to wash!