C3Fit Compression Gear Review - Performanec Compression Sleeves and Arch Support Short Socks

Recently I was contacted by the US affiliate of the Japanese based company, C3Fit compression, to test out and review some of their products.  The basis of the C3Fit brand is to incorporate graduated compression, body conditioning and comfort to the wearers that improves body function and enhances fitness quality.  C3Fit carries a variety of compression gear for men and women including a variety of support socks, tights (long and short), calf sleeves and even a long sleeve top.  The first 2 items that they sent me were their performance calf sleeves and arch support short socks.  I decided to test them out over the weekend, on different days, so that I could really focus on each product individually, to give it the best review that I could.

 For my long run on Saturday I wore the compression sleeves.  Right from the moment I removed the sleeves from the box, I was already liking what I was feeling.  The nylon/polyurethane material was so silky to the touch that I knew would feel right on my calves.  The thin material was perfect for the warmer conditions of Florida and the elasticity of them would  allow for a wider range of ankle and calf sizes.  The sizing of the sleeves were great.  They started just above my ankles and went all the way up to just above the top of my calves.  Coverage of the entire calf area is important as some sleeves don’t cover enough or are too long and can cause issues with the Achilles if it goes down too far or the back of the knee if it goes up too high.  The compression itself was excellent.  I had no issues during my run with muscle vibration since the compression was not so tight to cause discomfort but not loose to where it didn’t help.  I actually kept the sleeves on after my run for a bit of a recovery since the run was long.  I definitely felt the difference after taking them off too.  These sleeves were different from what I have worn before.  Others that I have tested were either too tight where I could just barely get them on or off, too thick to where they caused heat issues or too loose to where they did not help me at all.  These were definitely the best of the bunch.  

For my shorter run of 12 miles on Sunday I wore the arch support short socks.  These socks are different than regular socks in that they promote arch support through their taping effect that reduces burden to the soles of your feet, absorbing impact and enabling movement.  They are made from polyester, nylon, cotton, acryl and polyurethane and are very soft and comfortable to wear.  I must say that as soon as I had these on, I could feel the support on the soles of my feet and arches, almost like I was wearing arch support shoes.  It had this snug feeling that once I put my running shoes on, I had to get out on the road.  My run felt much smoother than it normally does and I had no issues at all with tired feet after I was finished.  The socks even have this cushiony tag in the back so there is no contact to your skin from the back of the shoe.  This is the first arch support sock I have worn, but I am definitely looking forward to wearing these socks again on my next long run because of how they made my feet feel and I will definitely be getting more.

If you are looking for great calf sleeves or arch support socks that to do what they are supposed to do, you should try C3Fit.  It's no wonder that some of their products are certified as General Medical Devices in Japan.  You will not be disappointed.

Whispering Pines 12 Hour / 6 Hour Ultra Recap

If you live in Florida, or even outside of Florida for that matter, love running on trails with like-minded individuals in an organized, competitive and fun setting, with a low cost, you should look no further than the Whispering Pines 12 Hour / 6 HourRace.  This well organized run takes place at Whispering Pines Park in Inverness, Florida on a Sunday in the middle of February each year.  This year it just happened to be during President's Day weekend.  Race Director Terri Hayes, a long time ultra runner herself, likes to give back to the ultra running community, that she has been a part of for so long, by putting on low key, laid back, runner friendly events for people of all ages and abilities.  The cost to enter the races she puts on is, well, there is no cost.  Terri organizes these races as a way of paying it forward.  All that she asks for is a donation of any amount you are comfortable giving to help cover the costs of food, supplies and other general necessities that are associated with organizing an event as such.  Terri even has finishers awards made for all participants and after  covering her costs for food and amenities, gives the rest that she has collected to the park as a way of saying thank you for allowing her to put on this event.

                This year’s running was in its 4^th year and the second time I have taken part in the fun.  I originally ran this race back in 2015 when it was in its second year.  Terri had moved it to April that year, but has since moved it back to February.  At that time I had only run one 50k a few months prior since I was just getting involved in ultras and the trail and ultra community.  I didn’t know what to expect when I started, but I did know that I was going to run as many loops as I could with the hopes of lasting all 12 hours.  Suffice it to say, I ran 9 loops in just over 12 hours for a total of 43.2 miles.  I was so excited that I had done it.  This year, being that I have now been running ultras for just over 2 years, I knew I could run at least 10 loops or more.  My plan was to not take long once back at the pavilion after each 4.8 mile loop.  I was going to refill my handheld with my Tailwind Nutrition and get back out there for the next loop.  With my Headsweats trucker hat on and my handhelds all set to go, I did stick to the plan for most of the run, but there were 2 times that I took longer than I had planned to get back out there.  Being a part of the trail and ultra community, you get to know a lot of people and it was at these two specific times that I stopped to talk to some of my friends.  It’s always good to see familiar faces at events like this and so I always like to chat for a bit.  I knew that because of the extra time I took that I could complete only 10 loops this year.  As I was finishing loop 9, Donna Laparo, was just starting her 10^th loop as well.  Donna and me ended up running the first few loops together, before going off on our own, after stopping on the first loop due to getting a bit confused with the trail markings.  Since it was already dark at that time and headlamps were already on, she was bringing her husband with her to keep her company.  When she saw I was finishing loop 9, she waited for me while her husband went back to the pavilion.  I don’t know why this is, but for some reason, no matter how many times you run the loop during the day, when it gets dark, the trail looks completely different, so it’s always good to be able to run with someone.  Since this was going to be our final loop of the day, we decided to just walk it out.  Even though 10 loops would officially be 48 miles, when we finally got back to the pavilion, my Garmin was showing that we had actually run 49.5 miles because of that mix up on the first loop and going the wrong way.  Terri let us get in the extra .50 miles by running around the baseball field to finish the day with 50 miles. 

                By the time we were done, there were only a handful of people still hanging around, including the guy who just set the course record by running 13 loops for a total of 62.2 miles.  He had run by us a few times while on the course and he was flying.  He was a really cool guy though and he made it a point to come over and tell us that we did great.  I just love the trail and ultra community.  It was such a great day!! 

                So, in February of 2018,  if you are going to be in the area or live close by, come on out to Whispering Pines Park and run the Whispering Pines 12 Hour / 6 Hour ultra, meet Terri Hayes and become a part of a community that I think is pretty awesome.  I will definitely be there and you should be too.