Things lately have been really good. Life in general is going well – I’m happy and enjoying life. Work is going well. And running is still going well.
Running: This year has been so good for my running. Whatever I’ve been doing has clearly been working because not only have I been consistently running but I’ve been running strong. I feel in a very positive place – I can only hope this lasts!
Last week I ran another fast 10k (42 mins flat – my official PB is 42:50) on a random lunchtime run.
The colder weather definitely helps me to run faster and the 10k route I take is super flat so this helps. I should probably do a 10k race and give it some welly to make it official (as I’ve now beaten my official PB twice on a training run). But at the same time, I don’t want to enter a 10k race this side of Christmas before my next marathon… aaaaand I hate 10ks. Though I do have Stubbington 10k mid-January. Not really a goal in my head though if I’m honest. I’m just happy to know I’m a bit faster.
parkrun Alphabet Challenge: After completing the challenge, Kyle surprised me with a very lovely present. He had a hoodie made with all the corresponding parkruns typed out and the date which I’d first done that parkrun (as for some I’d done multiple times). He even put a heart on Netley because it was my home parkrun. And he made sure to choose parkruns that were meaningful to me where I had multiple choices for the letters.
I also liked the front. It was a very thoughtful and lovely gift. I wore it with pride at Netley parkrun the week after I got back from Zary. Everyone was impressed 🙂 It’s a niche challenge, I grant you, but I’m so proud of myself and it’s so nice to have something to commemorate it.
Compression socks: I was recently sent some compression socks from Rymora Socks. I’m a big fan of compression socks.I wear them for the majority of my long runs and have worn them for every single marathon. There’s some science to support that wearing compression socks after running can help speed up recovery (increase the blood flow and reduce stiffness) but in terms of during the run, the jury is out.
However, I personally like to wear them during long runs as I find it reduces cramp and I feel more supported. This might all be a placebo but I like to wear them. I think it helps.
Anyway, the compression socks from Rymora are good. They’re tight and provide decent support to my calves. However, they are not as tight or give as much compression as my favourite pair from CEP. I think the cost reflects this (CEP are upwards of £30 whereas Rymora are around £10). That said, some people prefer less compression. They’re also A LOT easier to get off after the run – which with my CEP socks can be an absolute nightmare.
The Rymora socks are a little long for me as well. They come just over my knees. But nothing that a bit of rolling down doesn’t solve. All in all, a very affordable option for a “milder” pair of compression socks.
Metal straw: I’m not the best at avoiding plastic, I will admit that now. I buy a lot of squash and fizzy drinks throughout the month. It’s hard to reduce something like squash that I really enjoy because asides from just having plain water, there’s not much else I can do to jazz it up that doesn’t involve plastic. Yes I could use bits of fruit but it really isn’t the same for me. I could get those little squirty things for flavour enhancing but they’re not as good either and I go through them quite quickly.
But I have bought myself a metal straw. Kyle and I go to the cinema a lot and we always buy a drink from their fountain machine thing. So we bring our straws with us. Yes this is SUCH a small thing, but it helps in a very small way. We also use them at work if we buy a Subway drink. It is a tricky thing to clean though!
I used to use straws in my morning coffee as well. I always have a coffee on the way to the gym (I make at home) and a straw helped me drink it while I was driving without having to avert my gaze from the road (I would use one straw for as long as possible FYI – I didn’t use a new one every day!). Now I use my metal straw. Though I’ve burnt my lips a few times!
I know I need to get better and I annoy myself for what I’m like. I do like to think I’m good in other ways though. I don’t use baby wipes, I don’t wear make-up, I use the “hard” shampoo from Lush, I buy loose fruit and vegetables where I can and try not to buy too many fizzy drinks in small bottles. I know I have a long way to go but at least I’m conscious of my actions. I just wish society also made things easier as well. Excuses, excuses I know.
Are you doing anything to reduce the plastic you use?
Do you wear compression socks?
Have you ever received a running-related gift?
**Full disclaimer: I was sent the Rymora socks in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own honest ones.**
Lots of small things make a cumulative difference. Next up: bamboo toothbrushes? And you can get compostable nespresso machine pods now too! We also get milk delivered in glass bottles. Very satisfying. Milkman arrives at 2am (I was feeding LK)
I use a reusable straw when I make my coffee and drinks at home BUT when I am going out and about and just happen to grab a Starbucks iced coffee I NEVER bring my own straw because I feel like the non-plastic straw changes the taste of my drink (crazy, I know). Also, has England figured out iced coffee yet? I know when I was there a year ago the only iced coffee type drinks I could get were iced americano’s or iced cold brews which are unfortunately not the same thing! 🙁
Love the hoody – well done. Just ordered some Rymora socks for Grandad. Trying to reduce plastic – using a glass bottle for water and some fabric bags to put fruit in at the shop.
That hoodie is so cool- what a thoughtful gift 🙂
I’ve never worn compression socks during a run because I find them so hard to get on and off normally, let alone with sweaty feet/legs! The science around placebos is that they work even if we know they are a placebo, so that’s pretty amazing and so worth you wearing them if you like to.
I think it’s great to use a metal straw- as I said the other day it’s just working out how to carry it around before and after (my bag is probably very dirty inside so I wouldn’t want it lose in the bag, and then after if it drips it would make the bag even worse). I also bought a set of bamboo cutlery for lunches out, but now I see M&S do that instead of plastic. I have a bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic, and charcoal floss (I can’t remember what it’s made of but it’s not plastic). One of my favourite things which I think everyone should get but you don’t see much is my fabric cup holder- instead of a cardboard sleeve it’s fabric so it easily fits in my bag and insulates my hands from the hot cup. I got it free in Starbucks a few years ago and it’s fab but I never see them sold anywhere. Like you say, it’s little things.
WHen I DO run, which is rare, I always wear compression socks. My legs are so messed up from years of soccer, running in compression gear just feels so much better!
I use the Rymora socks but agree. They aren’t as good as the CEP. A physio told me CEP are the Rolls Royce of compression socks!
I love the alphabet hoody. What a thoughtful and fab gift.