Compression socks for IM?

BeckyH

I thought I had recalled reading somewhere the compression socks were not intended to be worn over the course of an ironman... anyone wear them the entire race? I have worn them for 70.3s, but not yet for an IM, wondering if you're not supposed to... feedback please!

Paul Hough

Evidence exists that compression socks can help with recovery or maintaining blood flow on a long flight, but there isn't a shred of evidence that they do anything for you in an actual race, other than make people look foolish. Again, no evidence for performance benefits on healthy people ... zero, nada, the null set, a big goose egg, etc. However, they do help pro's earn a paycheck when they wear them in order to help sell them to the unwashed masses. Wear them the day after, but not for the race unless you are getting a placebo effect.

akline01

I agree with Paul regarding compression socks making people look foolish. However, last September (2011) after being a heel striker my whole life, I started making the change to the midfoot/forefoot strike. When doing this you find out really quickly that you have some calf muscles that have never before been utilized while running. After a few weeks I bought a pair of compression socks to help reduce some of the strain on my "newly discovered" calves. Fast forward 11 months to today. As an experiment, I've alternated all of my longs runs between using/not using compression socks over the last 8 months. I never use them for runs under 60 minutes. Placebo or not the compression socks help me significantly. All of my long runs with compression socks are faster and my legs feel better both during the run and afterwards. I really wish this wasn't the case since they do look ridiculous. I will say they probably won't do anything for heel strikers since the calf doesn't get involved much with that gait. I will be taking the extra minute or two to wear them during IM Wisconsin in 2.5 weeks....and maybe Photoshop them out of the race photos later. ;-)

GMAN 19030

I'm with Aaron here. I've alternated long runs one week with, one week without and my legs felt more fresh with the compression sleeves. Could there have been other reasons in play? Sure but I ain't changing a thing.

Cary Blanco

I use them for recovery after an event or while flying.

Woody Freese

2 x what Bob and Aaron said. Placebo effect or not, I have found the sleeves to provide support for my calves during longer runs. Looking silly? Not really sure they look any more or less silly than most of the gear we use? One word - aerohelmet :-)

John Withrow

I wear compression calf sleeves for every long run. For IMNYC, I wore 2 pairs 2XU (size Small) with Zoot (size 2) over top of them. I mention the size because I'm 185lbs. I like them TIGHT. I put them on in the morning when I woke up, wore them under my wetsuit and for the entire race. In T2 I also put on compression quad sleeves up under my tri shorts for the run. It was a hilly run and I really think the compression helps me. I don't care if it's placebo or real, I think it helps so I wear them. And I don't give a crap how silly anything looks. Function first for me. I also wear the sleeves instead of the socks because I like my own socks on my feet. I race Ironman in Injinji toe socks.

Paul Hough

http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2011/07/01/does-compression-clothing-really-work/

Dave Tallo

Effective or not, I think the question might have solved itself ... as I understand it, compression socks or calf sleeves are not permitted at IM events. 

John Withrow

Dave- that is not true... You may not be allowed to wear them during the swim leg of non-wetsuit events, but you can surely wear them during the bike and run if you choose to...

akline01

You can wear compression socks during bike and run at  IM events....just not the swim if wetsuits aren't allowed.  Obviously I'm not sure who would wear socks during the swim anyway and the rule probably deals more with the compression sleeves that have neoprene (and are bouyant.)  There was a brief period of time in 2009 when socks/sleeves weren't allowed due to complaints about ages not being able to be seen on calves but that rule/ban changed shortly after it was implemented.

Dave Tallo

Thanks .... I stand corrected!

Scott Alexander

I wore full compression socks at IMFL2008 (put on in T2) and sleeves at IMAZ2011 (under wetsuit, on bike and on run) - both CEP brand.

In my n=1 experience, they definitely help on recovery but not during the event.

I wear them for any flight over 2 hours, period, and love them for that purpose.
On my weeklong+ cycling camps, I use full compression tights (Sugoi) every night, and they help my recovery for the next day greatly.

Paul Hough

@ Aaron - It was definitely brief.  The ban on compression socks (I'm only talking about the bike/run legs) was put into place right before Kona 2 or 3 years ago (hard to believe that much time has passed). The ban did not last much longer than the VIP access program and was rescinded before the race started ... mostly due to pressure by the manufacturers. I don't think the ban was ever in effect for ANY ironman ever ... again, talking only about the bike/run legs.

William Jenks

At KS this past June, they were VERY explicit about no compression wear of any sort in the water. This was a non wetsuit swim. They also were explicit that you could put it on again once you were out of the water if you wanted to.