Opening Line
Never put a sock in a toaster - Eddie Izzard
Numerous blogs have been mentioning the benefits of compression socks, therefore I decided to try a couple pair out. The first pair of socks I tried out were the CEP Running O2 Sportsock. In addition to post exercise benefits, the CEP sock boasts a wealth of other advantages over your typical sock. For my testing purposes I was concerned only with the post exercise benefits (especially since I am still not able to run).
The challenger arrived in the mail a few days later in the form of The Recovery Sock. The benefits of this sock are pretty straight forward and you can check them out at the website. Let's get down to it.
PRICE: The Recovery Sock is 50% less than the CEP O2 Sportsock, although CEP is offering a 10% discount at this time. Advantage: Recovery Sock
SIZING: CEP sizes are based on the calf measurement and CEP has both men's and women's sizing. The Recovery Sock bases sizing on your shoe size. Advantage: CEP O2 Sportsock
LOOKS: CEP O2 Sportsock wins this one easily. Hello, it's got orange in it. Advantage: CEP O2 Sportsock
FIT: Both socks have a close fit, with The Recovery Sock being a tad less tight. I am not a scientist, and have never played one on TV, so I cannot postulate on the advantages or disadvantages of the role fit plays in the dynamic properties of the sock and its ability to stimulate circulation, although I would expect you would not want a sock that is too loose. The good news is that neither sock was falling down. Furthermore, I am sure my body is different than other bodies, so the same size sock may fit differently on another person of like build. Advantage: Toss Up
COMFORT: I was able to wear The Recovery Sock for much longer than the CEP O2 Sportsock. To be fair, the CEP O2 Sportsock felt like it was binding or a bit tight just below my left knee, which is my injured knee. Therefore, some additional research will be required once my knee has healed fully. Advantage: The Recovery Sock
VERDICT: For now, I am going to stick with The Recovery Sock because of the comfort level and because I am only using it for post-exercise purposes. That said, I am anxious to give the CEP O2 Sportsock a thorough test once I am running again.
Up in the Morning
There is rain in the extended forecast, so I opted to forego my weight workout and take the road bike out this morning. My normally scheduled workout will wait until this afternoon. 50 minutes this morning with a 15.6 MPH average. Pretty fly for an injured guy! On such a nice morning, I would have hoped to crest a 16 MPH average, but the traffic Gods were not with me. I did OK on the main road, catching green lights at each of the three intersections. However, the neighborhood was not so forgiving.
My mode of operation is to obey all traffic laws in the presence of automobiles. To be honest, if there are no cars around, neighborhood Stop Signs mean nothing to me. However, this morning there were plenty of folks on their way to work, hence it was hand signals and stopping for the requisite intersections.
Listening to: Channel Z - The B-52's (static in my attic)
Posted prior to the 9:00 AM gong
