Drymax Socks to the rescue!

A while back I began hearing about Drymax socks. I've been on the hunt (for some time) for socks that make me happy so I made a mental note to try them out.

Then as the Portland Marathon approached, it looked like rain was in the forecast. I remembered about Drymax socks and the good things I'd been reading about them and I scurried out to buy some.

Well, I had no luck purchasing them at the last second before the marathon. (My fault!) But, the good folks over at Drymax blessed me soon after with a few pairs to try out.

First of all, my feet are cold much of the time. When fall weather sets in I really don't mind the cooler weather, after all, the autumn colors are beautiful. However, it isn't long before the reality of wet, cold feet set in. It only takes one misstep before I'm having to finish the rest of my run in a sloshed shoe. Once the shoes and socks are wet-- I'm miserable. But, this is the Pacific Northwest--if you want to be a runner you will run in the rain.

I want socks that can handle moisture. I've tried numerous fabrics and brands and I've had some favorites--but none have held up to the wet test! Wool has been "okay"--but not super comfortable. In fact, after a wet run I've taken off my shoes and my wool socks would actually feel somewhat dry but my feet--wet and miserable!

I do love these socks. I've had a chance to wear them in some wet weather. I finished one run with completely soaked shoes but my socks still felt dry and my feet pretty comfortable. Pretty impressive!

I like the trail running sock, although it is just a bit too bulky for the fit of my regular road running shoe. I think "dense" describes the sock, it is really only slightly padded or bulky, but this is a sock to use with a shoe with more foot volume (as more trail shoes allow for, generally). I am planning on doing more trail running soon and I especially like how the ankle is padded to protect. I also like how snug they fit at the top to keep debris of all kinds getting down in your sock. And honestly, I like how the colors of the sock help me find them quickly in the laundry amongst a houseful of people's socks!

The Lite-Mesh running sock is perfect for my road running shoes. Though I can't understand what the little wing thing on the heel of the "no show tab" sock is supposed to accomplish. I don't see the purpose of it. A wing to keep the sock in place? I could do without that feature, I prefer the ones without it.

So far, they've come out of the wash in perfect form. (Still in the right shape and still fit snugly.)

I am kind of in between sizes in drymax because I wear a size 10 running shoe but I have a narrow shallow foot. Drymax sent me some medium size socks (womens 7.5-9;.5) and some large sizes (10-12). I find I can wear either size and surprisingly I have no preference between the two sizes.

By the way, the folks at drymax didn't ask me to write this review --I'm just sharing it with you because I really do like these socks.

There were also a pair of longer crew type thick socks in the package and these are my favorite socks for throwing on with tennis shoes and jeans for everyday. I guard these as they go in the laundry lest the men in my household discover them and steal them! (selfish I am)

I'm pretty spoiled now, all my other socks neglected.

Wow what a Thankgiving week!

This has been quite a week. My Mom and her husband were scheduled to leave for a two month trip to India, so we had an early Thanksgiving meal early this week before they were to fly out. The next morning, he was scheduled to have a heart stress test done, just as a precaution before leaving because he has had a lot of ongoing health problems and had recently recognized he had some chest heaviness.

So he gets the tests done and never leaves the hospital because they find 4-5 blockages in the heart. Bypass surgery is immediately scheduled, and while he is having surgery the terrorist attacks break out in Mumbai , which is where they were headed!

Obviously, even though there is some bad news here, there is also a lot to be thankful for! First, he recognized ( and admitted) he had some symptoms. Second, the problem was caught before he had a heart attack. Third, they did not get on that plane and head for India during this time of turmoil. And lastly, he is now recovering from that surgery and doing as well as could be expected!

As for workouts this week, I'm trying to increase my running mileage without getting over ambitious about it, which is hard because I'm so ready to be running more. (Patience)
I guess it's helped that I've had only a limited amount of time lately that I could get out and run. Of course, my options will expand soon because I have a headlamp on order from REI.

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving!

crossfit and the runner

Louis Hayes has asked me this: "Just curious: what "benefits" have you experienced? as I'm sure it hasn't been long-distance running benefits..."

It's true Louis, the benefits have not necessarily been in long-distance running benefits, at least not directly. In fact, when I run after a crossfit workout my legs feel fatigued. But, that doesn't mean it isn't good for running!

I've been a runner since I was 13 or so...a few breaks taken for pregnancies (6), and I'm 44 now. Typically, a "workout" for me, over the years, has consisted mostly of --well, running.

In recent years I've done swimming and cycling. I've also (inconsistently) lifted weights. But mainly, I'm guilty of "one-dimensional" fitness.

My point is, because of my love for running, and my body type (5'5" and 109lbs. give or take a couple), I have probably,(surely), lost muscle mass and strength over the years.

I also have been prone to a few chronic type injuries off and on. To name a few--ITB syndrome, plantar fasicitis and piriformis syndrome.

So what do I hope for in cross-fitting as far as running goes? The first one is core strength. You need a strong core for endurance sports. Fatigue sets in later when your strong core keeps your technique good. Good technique tends to produce efficient running. In other words, I'm looking for some muscular endurance not just aerobic endurance!!

I'm also hoping for fewer injuries, increased power, strength and speed. Part of that will be achieved in exposing and (fixing) muscle imbalances through cross fit.

Crossfit also provides me with some anaerobic work even when my running for the day may be aerobic long slow distance.

What I am already experiencing. Not all these are direct benefits to running but they are awesome benefits--

• decreased body fat and increased muscle mass (I only need to look in the mirror to figure that one out)
• upper body strength (yes, really liking this one! I like getting some muscle definition on my arms and back)
• 6 pack abs (I never show them off but... I know they are there)
• grip strength in hands (can you say 'pull-ups'?)
  
• more attack power on the uphills on runs
• increased metabolism over the course of the day keeps my body temperature at a comfortable level
• dang--it's fun! (and a second dose of endorphins for me)
  

I probably need to explain the increased metabolism thing. When I do cross fit as a separate workout from my running it raises my metabolism for a few hours which keeps my body warm. I am typically cold in the winter, I rarely say, "I feel warm" when others are shedding their outer clothing. But, when I've done a crossfit workout I find myself comfortable for more hours of the day even when the weather is cool. Nice benefit for me!

An additional note, I started off doing the pull-ups as cheating pull-ups. (Jumping up to get up there each time.) I now can do regular pull-ups.

Even though I have some fatigue issues when I run close to a crossfit workout, I think there should be some progression in my ability to handle both as I continue tackling it.

Oh, and there is one more benefit I've found in crossfit that I hesitate to actually put on the list but....well, I'll let you guess at what that might be. ;)

To ultra... or not.

I'm busy getting some new music on my Mp3 player...you know it's time to do it when you're shuffling through and forwarding every song that comes on. I've been listening to a lot of podcasts and not so much music; but I'm going to be putting in a lot more miles soon and I want some new tunes. Some of my music never comes off the mp3 but I'm paring it down and mixing it up. Tonight, I'm adding some bluesy John Mayer.

Officially, 30 days in Prison is done. (I'm on "parole") I'm so glad I completed it and didn't attempt to "break out" or anything because I've really reaped the benefits of it and I truly am sold on crossfit. (I was doing a little here and there before-- but without the consistency I needed.)

So I'm going to keep at it, and next I will be incorporating some kettlebelling into the workouts. I haven't decided how many days a week to crossfit during the winter, but I think probably 3 times minimum will be the rule. Can you feel my enthusiasm? I'm lovin' it so much!

Look at my silhouette trail running...I've put on some muscle huh? In all seriousness, my friend Steve painted this and asked me jokingly, if it would pass as a trail runner. (My watermark is over his signature...sorry Steve.)

Lastly, I'm trying to decide if I want to run an ultrarun early next year, (and it's time to get going on that if I am), or whether to run the Eugene Marathon in May. (I will most likely not plan both.) Trail running and ultra running appeal to me--but the increased miles are tough on the body unless you get a lot of it done on soft trail surfaces and I'm concerned about how to fit that in.

It's hard to get longer runs done in the winter when the days are short and on top of that, schedules are tight around our house right now. Add to that-- the abundance of Pacific Northwest wet weather and...well, you really got to want to get the job done you know?

Well, I'm looking for a headlamp to buy because it looks like some runs will take place in the dark ....I'll see ya on the roads!

Thanks for stopping by On The Way.

Old school race shirt

I just gotta show you this "almost vintage" race shirt one of my friends gave me last week. It surely is not politically correct which... makes me old I guess.

I love this shirt. I don't want to be politically correct on election day anyway. I should put it on.

Still in prison.

Wow, day 20 already!! I thought we just got started!

Today's workout looked like this: 10 rounds AFAP (as fast as possible) varying reps:

side plank (L): use 10 sec hold

side plank (R): use 10 sec hold

mountain climbers: 20,18,16,14,12,10,8,6,4,2

(By the way--mountain climbers are the one exercise I'm having a problem with--as my right hip flexor does not cooperate. But I got it done.)

Yes, I'm still doing the prison workouts. (and running...a little) If you are a runner--especially a marathoner-ultra type I highly recommend adding this type of stuff into your week. I know David Ray over at See Dad Run. Run, Dad, Run would say the same. He regularly does a boot camp.

It's true that I love running enough to do it beyond what is required to be contributing anything to my health. But obviously, I want to be (functionally) fit too!

Health and fitness are much more that endurance training. Endurance training, by itself, can actually do harm. The truth is, this cross training stuff develops more "real world fitness" than running exclusively does. And, as I've mentioned before, if I want to run, I must work at having a broad base of fitness in order to avoid injury.

I takes a little extra time to plan these kind of workouts into a schedule that is already packed with running--but that is what I intend to do. I think a minimum of two--preferably four, cross training sessions a week will help me all year long.

Before I go, I got the new model in the Asics GT series this week--the GT 2140! They are awesome. The fabric in the inside of the tongue is very cool. (I ran in the 2120 and 2130 so hopefully these don't do me wrong.)

Thanks for stopping by On the Way.