I Heart Recovery Socks

I know there has been a lot of talk about compression socks out there in the blogosphere recently, and I wanted to throw my hat in the ring as a fan. I received my pair of Recovery Socks and was so excited to try them out. I wore them one day after work for a few hours, just to see how they felt and I liked how comfy they were and wanted to see how they felt after a run. I used them after my 15 mile run last Sunday, and they felt great. After the run, I stretched and took an ice bath, then slipped into my cozy pair of compression socks. I wore them for at least 12 hours (slept in them), and I could definitely tell that they helped with leg soreness and fatigue. They are super comfy, almost like wrapping each calf and foot in a snug cocoon, which felt great after a long run. As a pharmacist, I have worn compression hose before when I have had to be on my feet all day long working so the technology is something I'm familiar with. They help to decrease swelling in your legs, and to increase blood flow. Here's what the website has to say:

Compression is not a new technology; it has been used for years in medical patients with venous and arterial insufficiency. However, the application of this technology to athletics is relatively new. There is clear evidence to support compression use in promoting recovery. Using compression socks after a race or hard workout provide a substantial benefit.
These garments will help to avoid venous stasis (blood pooling in the legs) and swelling. Compression is particularly helpful in depended areas of the body, such as the feet and lower legs where gravity has a greater effect on blood return. Improved blood flow after a workout results in enhanced nutrient delivery and removal of waste products to and from muscles. This creates a situation optimal for muscle repair, reduced stiffness and heaviness in the legs and possibly less soreness.
Several studies have demonstrated that post exercise blood lactate levels were lower with compression sock use both during and after exercise. Other studies have demonstrated that compression socks do create a major fluid shift in the body. Compression garments are believed to improve venous blood return to the heart and allow for better cardiac output (flow of oxygenated blood from the heart) thereby aiding oxygen delivery to working muscles and increased endurance.

Oh, and the best part? They come in black, silver, white or pink. I give them my highest recommendation. I really think they are a key piece of equipment to have in your arsenal of running gear. Check out their website http://www.recoverysock.com/ for more info on the technology and products. They also have excellent customer service so I'm sure they'll take great care of you if you place an order or have any questions(I'm not on their payroll, I promise, I just love them so much I think every runner needs a pair!).