I'm a huge fan of compression for recovery. In my last marathon training cycle I used compression religiously after long runs and my 20 mile race. I think it made a big difference in speeding my recovery between hard efforts, enabling me to run higher mileage. I've tried several different pairs of compression socks from various brands, but I've found ProCompression to be the most compressive. I also have a couple of pairs of their low trainers which I like a lot as well (Both of which I purchased on my own. Check out the coupon code below if you want to cut to the chase and get a pair of your own at a deep discount), so when they offered to send me a pair of their Marathon Calf Sleeves I was eager to try them.

Why Compression: Wearing compression socks can help increase circulation and stability. According to ProCompression, both of these can aid in performance, recovery and help reduce soreness. One of the things I learned about ProCompression socks form Eric Smith, ProCompression's technical guru, is that the ProCompression Marathon sock is a truly graduated sock. Which means it is most compressive in the lower end of the sock and gradually reduces compression as the sock gets closer to the knee. This helps aid circulation much more so than a compression sock that is not "graduated."

When I asked him about the difference between the sleeve and sock, and if one is "better" than the other for a certain application (performance or recovery) he mentioned that the choice is really one of personal preference when it comes to racing. If you have a sock you love to race in go for the calf sleeves. But ultimately the socks are best for recovery and for overall circulation because of their graduated nature.

My personal preference would be to run in the calf sleeves, they felt more compressive to me in the calf than the sock and I liked that. But I'll always choose the sock for recovery.

My thoughts on the Calf Sleeve: Although I didn't have the chance to race in the calf sleeves (as I would have liked for a good solid wear-test), I did take them out on a few occasions and was pretty pleased with the overall affect. I ran two runs wearing the calf sleeves, one was an easy paced two miler (when my knee was still bothering me) and the other was a faster paced and hilly four miler this past weekend.

I was more interested in the added benefit of the calf sleeves on the four miler because my left calf was tight and a little sore from the previous day. I'm not sure if it was the trail run (in old 12mm drop trail shoes...I usually run in the 4mm Saucony Kinvara or the 8mm drop Saucony Ride) or the fact that I was standing on my toes on a chair trying to wrangle curtain rods and sheet rock into submission for most of the day after my trail run. Either way, I noticed tightness the night before my planned four miler. I rolled and stretched a bit before bed and then wore the sleeves on my run the next day.

The compressive-ness of the calf sleeves made a huge difference in how tight my left calf felt. Without the calf sleeve the tightness was noticeable, but with the calf sleeve it seemed that the tightness subsided. I went out for my four miler feeling great. I ran a hilly route and didn't notice my calf at all.

I'm eager to try the sleeves in a race, although I noticed that in temps above 60 especially in the humidity, the sleeves feel hot. So I don't think I'll be wearing them until the temps cool down.

Do you want to try your own pair of ProCompression Marathon Socks or Sleeves? Enter my sweepstakes for a giveaway to receive your choice of sock or sleeve. See details below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:No purchase necessary. Must be 18 to enter. US residents only. Void where prohibited. Prize includes one ProCompression Marathon Sock or Sleeve of winners choice. Contest starts 7/10/14 at 5am EST and ends 7/13/14 at midnight EST.

**Want to snag a pair of your own right now? Use coupon code BLG14 at checkout to get 40% off Marathon Socks or Sleeves! Good until the end of July 2014**

--Sarah

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ProCompression Marathon Sleeve Review & Giveaway

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