reviews – Page 3 – French Fry Runner

PRO Compression Socks Review

I’m really excited to review my PRO Compression Marathon socks (size S/M), which I’ve had for a month or so. I used a coupon code to get 40% off with free shipping (they do deals like this a lot) and only paid $30 for them. Since compression socks can cost $50 or more normally, this was a great deal. (See below for a coupon code.) They arrived within a decent amount of time after I ordered them. I was really excited to rip the package open because I’ve been reading about compression and how it benefits recovery and even performance. Well, and I’ll be honest . . . Some of my favorite running bloggers wear them and have promoted them There. I admitted it. Feels good to get that out in the open.

Let’s move on . . .

The first thing I noticed about the socks was that they are so green. PRO Compression offers a lot of different colors, including purple and three different argyles. I thought I’d go for one of the more outrageous colors, and I was pleasantly surprised that they were the same color “in person” as they were online. I love when stuff you order online is exactly the same when you open the box. They were pretty easy to get on, and I didn’t have any bunching issues that I’ve heard other runners have. They were perfectly “squeezy”–not too tight at all–and they were a little thin. I don’t like socks that are too thick, so they were perfect. I’ve worn them both running and for recovery.

A summary of the company:

PRO Compression was born of a runner/golfer’s desire to introduce superior compression socks to ALL outdoor athletes and everyday people. For some time, runners and triathletes have been on the forefront of compression gear. However, runners and triathletes are not the only athletes who experience fatigue and weary legs which leads to a lack of focus and concentration. From marathoners to golfers to factory workers, PRO Compression socks are designed to make you better!

So, what does “compression” mean? Well, rather than trying to explain it myself, there’s a great summary of compression research at The Science of Running.

I think I might like the socks better for recovery, but that’s what I’ve used them more for. I wore them on one of my longer runs (about 7 or so miles) and felt a hot spot developing on my forefoot between my toes. I’ve had this happen with more than just these socks, so it’s not anything about the sock, I’m sure, that caused the spot. Maybe I’m just more of a forefoot runner. I haven’t worn them on other runs since then, so I’ll have to wear them again and update you all.

As for recovery, I really believe that they’ve helped my calves recover more quickly, especially after my half marathon. I wore them for several hours right after that race and the next day, and my calves and feet (besides the normal my foot-is-actually-injured feeling) felt great. My quads were a different story. I have to take an ice bath next time. Anyway, I really think they made a difference in my recovery time.

Summary

Pros: Color options, great for recovery, perfect amount of “squeeziness,” perfect length for my height (5′ 8.5″), no bunching or rubbing anywhere but on my forefoot (probably not because of the socks)

Cons: Rubbing on the bottom of my foot. No blister but a hot spot. Some people might want “squeezier” or thicker socks. Some runners have had issues with bunching or having to roll them down a little.

Bottom line: I love PRO Compression for recovery and hope to get more pairs soon as I start to ramp up my mileage for my next half marathon training cycle.

Coupon Code

Enter SOM12 at checkout to get 40% off and free shipping . . .

Enter FIT40 at checkout to get 40% off and free shipping until December 15. Thanks Gene from Run for It!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this review, and all opinions stated herein are mine. I just love this product and want to share my opinion about it.

Halloween Half Marathon Review

So, I’m taking a page out of SkinnyRunner‘s book and posting a race review. I felt that I needed to separate my experience from the race organization/details.

The Provo Halloween Half Marathon is held on the last Saturday in October in Provo, Utah. The registration fee was $65 for “normal registration.” ( I know that’s cheap for a lot of places, but here it’s kind of pricey.) The race boasts a mostly downhill course, a start line heated tent, and “The most fun you can have . . . without getting arrested.” Well, I don’t know about that. There are a lot of fun things to do around here. But I digress.

Packet Pickup: The packet pickup and “expo” went pretty smoothly. There wasn’t a line for the packet pickup, which was good. The staff was efficient, and we were in and out in like 3 minutes. The “expo” was tiny. There were only a few booths, but some were handing out coupons for $5 off race entries and such, so that was good, I guess. I don’t know what I was expecting. I mean, this wasn’t like one of the Rock ‘n’ Roll races or Boston or anything, but I thought that with all the hype, it would be larger. Anyway, not bad.

Swag: Really cool gender-specific tech T-shirt and cool finisher medal. I really like the shirt for the race. It fits perfectly. They didn’t put the year on either one, though, which I thought was weird. Other than that, we got a bunch of coupons, a packet of Emergen-C, a mini men’s deodorant, and a “$500” gift card–which just turned out to be nothing special at all. Would have been cool to get a Clif Bar or something, or a piece of candy–after all, it is a Halloween race.

Buses/Start line: The buses were fine. We got on one quickly and were driven to the start. Unfortunately our bus had to overshoot the turnoff for the start line compound (they planned it that way) and turn around and drop us off a quarter mile from the start, so we had to walk. In the cold. Not the best way to please runners. (I also heard that the later buses got lost and made people wait for an extra hour. Not cool.) They had a heated tent by the start line and plenty of porta potties. They didn’t even have water, though, in the tent, which would have been nice since it’s a large race and we paid more than other local races for entry. I know that I was regretting that I didn’t have a water bottle. The start itself was lackluster–just a couple of race timer banners to run under.

Course: Mostly downhill through a gorgeous canyon, fall colors, 1.2-mile uphill section thrown in the middle. I enjoyed the course overall. Due to some snow in the higher elevations, the course start had to be moved a couple of miles down the mountain. The beginning of the race was a pretty steep downhill grade. They had to throw in 2.4 miles to make up the distance, and they did this with an uphill out and back, which was a gradual incline, but for people who expected the race to be almost completely downhill, this was not a welcome addition. It would have been nice if they would have posted the info about the hill on Facebook. They only said they’d changed the route.

There were a few water/Gatorade stations throughout the course but no gels or anything. I don’t like gels and brought my own fuel, but something like that would have been good for the people that expected it. There was a station at like mile 12, which I thought was weird. I didn’t stop at it. That water would have been good in the start line tent. The mile markers were inaccurate and sometimes not even there. I don’t think they updated the markers when they moved the start line. I felt bad for the people who didn’t know how far they had gone (a ton of people don’t have GPS).

Finish line compound: Meh. The finish was good and “normal”– people cheering, announcer announcing everyone’s names. They gave us our medals and a water bottle (only one), and then we were directed to the food, which was disappointing. Some moldy oranges that weren’t cut, cut bananas, and chips. There wasn’t any chocolate milk or Gatorade or any other water stations or anything like that. I had to go and ask for another water bottle. They also only had three massage tables, which were closing by the time we got there. Now, I know that the massage therapists can do only so many massages, but I think more therapists would have been better. Just because some people finish in three hours or more doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get a chance for a massage too. Bag check was fine. So, overall, meh mainly because of the food. I need chocolate milk!

Overall: I think the course was pretty, and I’m definitely glad I ran the half, but I don’t think I’ll run it again. I like it when races pay attention to the smaller details (and larger ones like mile markers and chocolate milk), and I don’t think this one delivered for the amount of money we had to pay.

Rating: This is my first rating of a half, and I really have nothing to compare it to, so I’ll make it my baseline. I’ll give it a 7/10 for organization and 8.5/10 for the run itself.

Road ID Review

I recently ordered a Road ID and got in the mail this past week. I was so excited to get it and even more excited that I didn’t have to shove my driver’s license in my bra anymore! Woo. I think having any kind of identification is important, especially when running or biking alone. I live near a running trail where women have been attacked, and if I bring ID with me, I’m also bringing peace of mind.

My Road ID (and all I assume) came in a nice metal box, which is a nice touch. I ordered their Wrist ID Slim (in orange with an extra purple band), which I love. I was able to fit all my vital information on the stainless-steel tag, which is laser engraved. It’s not uncomfortable to wear and I didn’t even notice it on my run this morning. I love it and am sure I’ll never go running/hiking/cycling without it.

Their mission statement:

Our mission is twofold: One, to educate outdoor enthusiasts (runners, cyclists, triathletes, skiers, snow boarders, kayakers, walkers, and anyone that doesn’t spend all of their time on the couch) about the importance of wearing ID. Two, to provide these athletes with innovative identification products that they will want to include as part of their gear.

Their top 10 reasons you should wear ID:

If you can’t speak for yourself, Road ID will speak for you.

Road ID enables First Responders to immediately contact family members and friends.

Road ID enables family members to provide additional details about your health or give consent for potentially life saving procedures.

Road ID enables hospital staff to locate vital medical records.

Road ID can communicate medical conditions or allergy information to medical staff.

Road ID can prevent serious delays in treatment by saving crucial time during the “golden hour” of medical treatment.

It’s far better to have Road ID and not need it than to need Road ID and not have it. It’s not just a piece of gear, it’s peace of mind.

Accidents happen far more than you think they do. Each year approximately 450,000 of us are taken to hospitals unconscious and without identification.

Road ID looks good on and makes a statement about your athletic lifestyle – not to mention that studies would probably prove that people that wear Road ID are considerably smarter than those that don’t.

Road ID can save your Life. Period.

I love Road ID’s commitment to safety and the fact that they stand behind their products. All their products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and their engraved tags are backed with a lifetime guarantee. And a portion of each order is donated to different charities. Road ID is a great company, and I hope to get a Road ID for The Engineer soon.

Summary

Pros: Great packaging, colors great, ordering super smooth and user-friendly, tag laser engraved and easy to read, comfortable while running, company has commitment to safety and quality, etc., etc.

Cons: Medium band on Wrist ID Slim runs a little large for me.

Check out SUAR’s post about running safety HERE.

Use coupon code TAFH75GRSN for $1 off your Road ID order, and use ARR8868 for free shipping. You can also use pcGiftTW10 for 10% off all Road ID gear.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this review, and all opinions stated herein are mine. I just love this product and want to share my opinion about it.