Compressed and Impressed!

Tonight's run was a bit later than scheduled as I was stuck at work sorting out some crap but I was determined to run when I got home and I am so glad I did.

It was a run of firsts for me…

It was the first time I had run completely in compression wear as I bought myself a compression top to wear under my running coat. My rationale behind this was that it would keep me warm, hopefully keep me dry and generally just make me feel more snug.

As you can see I look snug in my top and comfortable too. It fits a little too well and I am just glad it don't have too many creases to show off!

Anyway the top did what it should and it kept me warm and snug on the run. It was great as it seemed to help my movement and unlike a conventional top I didn't feel any of the short move with me.

This was all well and good until I realised about 30 minutes in that the top was sticking to me as I was sweating so much. I tend to sweat a lot when running and this just turned the top in a soggy rag.

It seemed uncomfortable to run in at first but to be honest I wasn't actually that wet. The shirt was wet but it was doing as it was supposed to and wicking the sweat away from me.

When I took the shirt off I was practically dry so it did a great job.

It may have helped with my breathing too as it was colder this evening yet I didn't feel congested. I didn't feel so much need to spit out any crap en route (that may have something to do with the new drink I tried this evening which was a free sample of Zero. It didn't seem to cause me to create phlegm like Nectar does).

Another first tonight was that I passed lots of runners.

Most seemed to be running in the opposite direction and all of them acknowledged me in some way.

As I started my final 10 minutes I ran towards a guy who looked very professional, decked out in his compression shorts and orange fluorescent jacket. His pace was great and he was lifting his knees very high as he ran. He not only acknowledged me, he smiled and winked as we ran past one another.

Encouraged by this acknowledgement that someone who looked so professional had possibly thought I was as experienced as him, I decided to try his running style. I hit a flat bit and picked my knees up, running faster and more confidentially than I think I have done before. I really felt like I was going like the clappers and 36 minutes in this was an exhilarating feeling.

I found a pace at the mid point so as not to tire myself out and just kept going. I picked up my knees again and on one junction had to run part way up the road to run round the back of a bus to cross the road. This action and the momentum I had gained carried me on and my last 10 minutes felt like the best 10 minutes I have ever run. In fact I have new aches tonight in places I don't normally get them so I think I have found my next stride/pace movement to build on.

This was also the first time I headed out in my new Asics and although I told myself I would break them in they felt like my trusted old Asics immediately. I was going to run a flat route today but was so comfortable in my new GT-2170's that I carried on as normal.

There was only minor numbness towards the end of the run and I put that down to the fast pace I was covering. The pins and needles I had been experiencing in the ball of my right foot was not there so I was right to replace my trainers.

I will run again in my old ones as I am sure they are fine for a few more runs whilst I bed in my new ones properly.

Of course bright white trainers and orange laces also help to make me more visible which brings me to my final first of tonight's run…

This is the first time I have run home in the dark (it started to rain as I approached the house) and it's also my first run by moonlight. A little bit spooky but it brings new challenges and experiences which I am sure I can cope with. In fact I am happy to be running through autum as I will be prepared for winter.

Another run to mark up as experience and another one to be really proud of.

Tonight's fastest song was Dissapointed by Electronic (one of my all time favourites so that's probably why).