Looking like a soccer weirdo

Because of my recent problems with tight calves I decided to try to wear over-the-calf compression socks. I got them last week for 15Euros so I assume that they are not the hard core $60+ compression socks that Paula Radcliff would wear. But if nothing else, they will keep my calves warm and hopefully prevent tightening.

I do not have a full length mirror so you have to imagine me putting these two pictures together:





And these are my new running beauties:)


Those socks are really tight fit around my calves which makes it difficult to actually put them on. It took a few minutes laying on my bed in different weird positions and breaking a sweat before I got them on. But it seems it was worth it. No tight calves today! Really, it is not just psychological, I swear. But I do not know whether it was socks working magic or just my calves have finally stopped protesting that I run again. I shall see tomorrow whet I run with regular ankle socks.

I did my long run today. Wanted to do 15k exploring the other side of a highway. I went there on bike already and I knew that there is a nice loop I could do. But at 6k into my run I saw a huge dog several ten meters ahead and no other person in sign. I am very scared of dogs (but less than of parrots) therefore I turned around. From there I had to improvise and I think I did a pretty good job because I "created" a different pretty nice loop. The only downside(or upside, don't know) is that I ended up doing 17k. At 5:06 average pace. Not bad, I felt really good (maybe because of those compression socks:)) I picked it up a little at the end therefore 5:06 pace, because it was raining slightly and I was getting hungry. Europe changed to summer time this past night and there was no way I was getting up one hour earlier to get breakfast. So I missed it and ate only 2 kiwis before heading out.

When I got back to my room, I did couple stretches and when I was taking shower I realized that I forget to do pick-ups during my run as part of my resolutions to get more speedy. Crap! Next time (if I remember).

I start Push Ups Challenge again tomorrow and am dreading it!