Running

recommendations for socks

Much like chamois and saddles, you may find that different socks work differently depending on the shoes you are wearing - one brand / model may not be enough.

I've accepted that my feet will blister regardless and now choose socks based on how garish they are. The 1000 mile double layer ones are my favourites of the non-garish socks.

I usually wear injinji toe socks for my long runs as they keep my tootsies separated.

they still blister but generally it doesn't seem to be noticeable until long after the race (took me 3 days to notice them after my first marathon and they were pretty much covering my 3 smallest toes)

Cheers. Winner was 7mins slower than his 4th place time in 2015 so either no competition to push him or the wind was a real challenge. Happy to be just 2 mins down on my best if wind was influence on times.

Socks = 1000 milers.

Those injinji toe socks look interesting, might try a pair. Loving the colours you can get!

Toe gloves creep me out. Foot mittens all the way.

I use Injinji Lightweight + Cool Max Wrightsock for blister prevention on long runs. I found the recommendation on fellrnr a few years ago when I was trying a few ultras and it was revolutionary. The only time i can remember getting even a hotspot with this combination was at mile 90 of the Thames path after 22hours of wet feet.

http://fellrnr.com/wiki/Blister_Prevention_and_Socks

Of course it's all personal... My gf has weird toes so doesn't like the ininjis and we're yet to find socks that stop blisters over about 15k.

I have webbed feet so Injinji don't work. The innov merino socks are excellent though, cotton should be banned as a sock material IMO.

Doesn't merino get too hot though? I've used it for hiking before at it was nice and toasty.

nah merino is fine.

I have the innov merino socks and they are very comfy but I find them very warm. They beat all the other merino socks I have (including Rapha) hands down. Winter wear only.

I like the Nike ones with the chevrons >>>>>>

Need to get a load actually, I only have the one pair, and I'm sick of trying to pair up knackered Karrimors.

The correct answer though, is no socks.

You want to be listening to this guy. He is many wise.

Long days in the hills with high wet feet potential I've been wearing endura merino with sealskinz thin merino hiking socks. The sealskinz are not as waterproof as promised but the combo is v.cosy even whilst wet, so far no hot spots or blisters.

I've been meaning to ask, why is elite track running so tactical?

I mean I know each athlete will have different strengths and weaknesses for example Mo and Centrowitz are both considered to have a fast finish so a slow easy race with a sprint finish would suit them. But i expect neither of them would have won a time-trial type event, so why didn't the fastest runner in the field go hard right from the gun? In an Olympic final surely there must be 4 or 5 runners all with a realistic hope of winning on a good day so why don't they go hard from the gun? In the 5k the Ethiopians looked like they might push the race from the start but it was pretty half hearted.

In cycling the answer is the huge impact of aerodynamics and the benefits of drafting... At the speeds the elites run (~23km/h for Mo) there could be some aero benefit to sitting in the group but if it was seriously important they'd all be wearing skinsuits.

Is it all just psychological? Is it misplaced confidence in their own sprinting prowess? Have they already mentally abandoned hope for gold and are conserving every for the minor placings? In the absence of aero benefit surly the runner with the fastest 5kTT should be the victor, but they rarely appear to race like that.

why didn't the fastest runner in the field go hard right from the gun?

Because it's hard work!

It may pay off, but often only if the bunch underestimate the TT'er as per:

https://youtu.be/28_WpclPgTo

Rest day motherfuckers!

Because it's hard work!

It's a race, it's not supposed to be easy!

I don't get it either. Nor do I get why they seem to be so gormless tactically. This is my understanding of elite distance running:

• Mo Farah has the fastest last few laps in the world
  
• Mo Farah does not have the fastest PB in the world
  
• taking it out slow is a bad idea if you want to beat Mo Farah
  
• in almost every big race in the last 5 years, Mo Farah's opponents have taken it out slow
  
• Mo Farah has much golden roundels
  
  
  

I don't get it either. Nor do I get why they seem to be so gormless tactically. This is my understanding of elite distance running:

Mo Farah has the fastest last few laps in the world
Mo Farah does not have the fastest PB in the world
taking it out slow is a bad idea if you want to beat Mo Farah
in almost every big race in the last 5 years, Mo Farah's opponents have taken it out slow
Mo Farah has much golden roundels

conspiracy theories thread >>>>>

There are merino socks and there are sock that pretend to be merino. The innov have a high percentage, so can get away with being gossamer thin, the main merino advantage is that they don't feel cold when wet. #witchcraft

in reply to @ewanmac

why didn't the fastest runner in the field go hard right from the gun?

Mentally very stressful being chased down, plus not knowing how far back the pack are at any one time means you cant respond effectively to a surge.

but isn't his point that if you're the fastest and you're just going flat out then a surge shouldn't be able to catch you

during the mens marathon in rio gold winner kipchoge chastised the silver runner for trying to slipstream him and basically told him to run to his side if he wanted to stay with him. when he didn't kipchoge just opened the taps and burned him off and the silver guys race was done. if he'd let him sit behind him for a few more km chances are the silver runner might have had enough left to out sprint him for the final stretch.

Quick one for you guys. I was on holiday recently without my bike and couldn't sit still, so I started jogging at night to try and keep the fitness up a bit. I don't normally run so I was taking it easy, about 3 or 4k on the pavement (slightly uneven surface) but on my third outing I got sciatica and couldn't walk let alone run for the rest of the holiday. I did a couple of rounds of physio and she told me I got it from having tight glutes and hamstrings. So I've been stretching at home with a tennis ball and the pain has started to subside.

My question is; is my short lived running career over? I was starting to enjoy it so I'd like to give it another shot but don't fancy being out of action for that long again.