Yesterday, we ran a great 35k. For something a little different we decided to be driven out 35k and to run home. A point to point run rather than a loop or an out and back route. The down side of getting driven out is you get to see how far you really are running. 35k seems like long way to run when you are looking out a car window.
You have to plan ahead when you are running a long distance. Nutrition, hydration and even bathroom stops all have to be considered. There is also a mental game, getting your head around running that far for “fun” can be hard.
We pretty well have the food and drink under control, however the soreness and pain can be a real mental thing for both of us.
One thing that gets’ to me is how sore my joints are when I run long. My hips are achy during the run and for a few days after. Glenis always laughs when I exclaim 2k from the end that I just want to sit down.
Yesterday, I tried out a pair of CW-X compression shorts. Wow, I should have been listening to myself when I was pitching their benefits at Running Free! What a difference they made on how I felt during the run and how fast I recovered after. I wore a pair of Stabilyx Ventilator Shorts that are designed for joint support in the hips and core area.
For those of you who are not familiar with CW-X, all their products feature patented support webs. The support web is like kinetic taping that doesn’t come unstuck until you take the shorts off. The web design provides joint and muscle support. This support results in increased stability and balance, greater efficiency of movement, better shock resistance in your joints (I think this is what helped me), better circulation and better recovery. Oh yea and you don’t jiggle! Check out their website. cwx.com
They are definitely going to be my “go to” shorts for our next “big” adventure in September. They are surprising comfortable to wear and I didn’t look nearly as bad as I thought I would in compression shorts (according to my Blister Sister). Now, I just hope that it isn’t really cold the day of our September race or I’ll be stopping at the store to pick a pair of the tights!
Blister Sister Adventure Race Team 