When the Legs get Tired...

UPDATED: Wow I can't believe the number of stupid spelling mistakes. This is what I get for typing this on my iphone and posting before I check it on a normal computer. Jeez I didn't even spell Zensah correct,ugh!

You may have noticed during my Christmas post I got a fancy pair of Zensah "Pink" leg sleeves. My love for this product started back in May 2009. I was desperate to keep my shin splints at bay, and sooth my tight calves. I had read on Runners World some people discussing the great benefits of compression sleeves, and the more I read the more I was convinced I needed to give these babies a try. Recently, Chris has even turned into a believer (since he was wearing my old pair that I managed to put holes into and had to sew up, be careful pulling them on).


Between the Zensah leg sleeves and "The Stick", these are my go to products to ease my achy legs. I don't typically run in the sleeves (although on super cold days I have done so just to keep that area a tad warmer), but I do put them on after long or hard workouts. In addition I have been known to wear them all day at work (like right now since. I do most of my runs in the evening so if I wear them during the day I get a nice fresh leg feeling right from the start of my run.



Now "The Stick" is one of the products that you kind of scratching your head and ask, "does this really help?" for me the answer has been YES. When used before and after running I can feel some great benefits. I use to use it on only my calves, but after my recent deep tissue massage (pretty much an Active Release Therapy treatment) it was suggested I use The Stick on the outer area of my upper shins too. I get pretty knotted up in that area and doing this almost daily helps keep this area loose (I need to remember to do it everyday too). I was also pleasantly surprised when I saw Ryan Hall tweet a picture of him using a Stick like item on his calves too.

For some reason my life as a runner is pretty high maintenance (who am I kidding, I’m just high maintenance all around). My priorities have always been to get better as a runner while staying injury free. I understand all too well the desire of wanting to do something, but not having your body let you. If it takes wearing funny contraptions on my legs, and using a rolling pin then that’s what I’m going to do. Do you have anything unusual that you do to take care of your tired legs?

P.S. These are not the only two things I use for recovery. Check back soon and I’ll share a little secret product (that is on the fast track to not being a secret at all soon) that you may find at your local running store, race expo…..or heck just go online to their website and order some for yourself.