HomeCompression Calf Sleeves
Yesterday I was down at TriRunning stocking up on various bits and pieces before the Toowoomba Marathon.
Being in spending mode, I picked up a pair of 2XU Compression Calf Guards.
As she rung them up for me Robin C warned they would be difficult to get over my feet. The strain of pulling them on later that evening proved her right, but I managed it. Long story short, I decided that it would be easier to wear them to bed than take them off.
Entering the kitchen this morning my girlfriend greeted me with a disapproving look.
Her: "What are they?"
Me: "My new calf sleeves"
Her: "What are they for?"
Me: "To make me feel like a strong and powerful runner"
Her: "Ok, but what do they do?"
Me: "They make me feel like a strong and powerful runner"
Her (becoming less amused): "You said that already. What is their purpose?"
Me: "To make me feel like a strong and powerful runner"
Her: "You're starting to piss me off. They must do something. Did you ask what they do?"
Me: "No"
Her: "Well, you're an idiot. How much did they cost?"
Me: "Not sure. I never asked"
Her: "I just can't...."
So that is how my day started.
I've seen mates who are good runners wearing these things. Unlike them, I'm a rubbish runner. I still like to pretend though. I've been wanting to try a pair of these for a while.
There may be situations and conditions where applying calf compression has benefits. I'd bet money that 90% of the time these things are worn either as leg warmers, for a psychological edge, or because 'fashion'.
In my case I bought them without a clear physiological motivation. I hope they do something beneficial, but deep down I don't really expect they will.
Not everything has to be proved in a double blind scientific test to be valuable. If they make me feel good, I'm ok with that. I don't feel any need to buy into the pseudo-science bullshit that sports apparel companies love to rabbit on about.
Below is what the packaging touts in its copious list of features.
Key Features
- They are what they are (excellent feature).
- Techno-babble saying they are tight.
- Hey, actual features (quick drying, and sunburn blocking).
- Some nebulous claim about some nebulously defined benefits.
- Logo (another excellent feature).
- Are comfortable.
And then there is the feature mentioned on the left: "Improved Limb Position Awareness". I don't know what that is, only that it has my bullshit detector redlining.
Yep. So no real help there.
Part of me thinks my girlfriend wanted me to stumble around pretending I had some physiologically justifiable explanation for this purchase. Then she could have belittled and debunked my explanations, before finally squeezing a confession from me: Yet another wasteful impulse purchase!
Probably I should have played along.
I still think my answer was the correct one.
Maybe I'll try to phrase it differently next time.