Pre-race compression socks wearing...what the hell?

Triathlon Forum
1

OK, so I just gotta ask…WTF was up with all of the people at IM Moo wearing their compression socks everywhere they went? Last year, I saw none. Then that dude at Kona wears 'em last year and now this year, it seemed like 25% of the folks wandering around Madison were trying really hard to look their dorkiest by wearing compression socks up to their armpits. I’m all for whatever works for you, but man, that definitely should be a punishable fashion crime.

Spot

2

Heh. If you didn’t see a bunch of them last year, then you weren’t looking. Yes, there were more this year, but there still were a ton last year, as well. And as dorky as they look, they seem to actually help with blood flow and keeping the legs feeling fresher for race day.

3

Placebo much?

4

Yes, and breathe right nasal strips help you get more oxygen.

And the newest entry into the obnoxious trendy sports wear category…Kinesio tape for countless applications where it makes NO sense.

Can’t wait to see what’s next.

5

OK, so I just gotta ask…WTF was up with all of the people at IM Moo wearing their compression socks everywhere they went?

That’s my exhibit A when I say a lot of triathletes (and people) are lemmings. They do things because everyone else does them.

Wait till next year. People will have a full year of seeing the pictures and videos from Kona. I’m thinking of investing in the companies that make them, on a short term buy because by the end of next year, people will on to a new trend.

6

I saw a guy at the friday welcome dinner wearing jeans with the legs rolled/cuffed up to his knees so you could see his compression socks…

7

There were also the three or four spectators wearing them on the helix. I’ve heard the sox help them cheer louder.

8

I saw a guy at the friday welcome dinner wearing jeans with the legs rolled/cuffed up to his knees so you could see his compression socks…

OK NOW THAT IS DOUCHY! I wear my socks/leggings pre-race but don’t attempt to deliberately show it off.

9

**I saw a guy at the friday welcome dinner wearing jeans with the legs rolled/cuffed up to his knees so you could see his compression socks… **

At least he didn’t wear a speedo.

10

“I saw a guy at the friday welcome dinner wearing jeans with the legs rolled/cuffed up to his knees so you could see his compression socks…”

That’s funny as hell. I’m sure he was just trying to piss off the anti compressites.

11

If they make your legs feel better, placebo or not, I say go for it! Better to feel good than look good!

Triathletes are not going to win any fashion contests anyway with the laptops on their wrists, the IM logo plastered everywhere on their clothing/body (I can’t get over how many IM race kits I saw on Sunday, looked like the brand new ones they were selling at the expo), loud race finisher t-shirts, ugly shoes (i.e. Newtons), speedos, shaved legs and headsweats caps.

12

The answer is obvious: to recover from their taper.

13

Oh yeah, don’t get me wrong…if you think it helps and you get positive feelings from wearing them pre-race, have a nut. I still think they look uber-dorky, though, when worn with shorts (especially the freakin’ black ones…for the love of pete, at least go with white). My own personal preferred way to have fresh legs for the race is to spend as little time as possible on them Friday and Saturday, and to not look quite so dorky.

Spot

14

The douche factor at races has gotten to the point where I am getting embarrassed to be associated with triathlon.

The day before the race:

  • No need to wear those dorky compression socks with sandals
  • No need to wear that spandex fairy suit to the pre-race meeting
  • No need to wear the speedo down to the hotel pool for a last minute swim
  • No need to ostentatiously hammer around town on the bike 12 hours before the race
  • No need for your m-dot tattoo

During the race:

  • No need to yell at volunteers if the run course isn’t marked well

After the race:

  • No need for whiny excuses
  • No need to loudly announce your intention to do a 3-hour ride or 90-min run to “cool down”
  • No need to parade around in soiled clothes for the next two hours waiting for your age group award
  • No need to show up at the massage without taking a soap shower and cooling down first
  • No need to wear the finisher medal for the rest of the day
15

Yes, and breathe right nasal strips help you get more oxygen.

And the newest entry into the obnoxious trendy sports wear category…Kinesio tape for countless applications where it makes NO sense.

Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Breathe Rights help snot run down my face freely…

16

My question too at IMKY. It was hilarious. If you walk around so much before your race that you feel the need for compression socks. Then stay off of your feet.
S

17

After the race:

  • No need to wear the finisher medal for the rest of the day
    Or the day after, or on the plane flying home, or out to dinner that night or to breakfast the next morning.

Cracks me up to see people wearing their finisher medal the next day on the plane home.

18

After the race:

  • No need to wear the finisher medal for the rest of the day
    Or the day after, or on the plane flying home, or out to dinner that night or to breakfast the next morning.

Cracks me up to see people wearing their finisher medal the next day on the plane home.
You know, on my above list I am kind of singling out the more experienced among us. If this is your first triathlon or something and it makes you happy to wear your finisher’s medal I can’t really criticize that too much. You’re still a dork, but there is some level of acceptableness there and on some level I’m happy for you. But boy, when I see some obviously fit guy gallivanting around town the day before in some ridiculous socks, sandals, and two piece tri-suit I just literally cannot comprehend what is going through his mind … it just makes me cringe.

19

funny… but true…

20

It has to be said, this is my first year of triathlon. Would I proudly wear my finishers medal from wherever … yep. For about an hour or until I got changed out of my sweaty stuff.

I’m afraid that, although there could be (on some far away planet) some form of acceptability for newbies to do all of the above I’m afraid its not us. We, and I am talking about most of the newbies I have met and spoken to, think it’s all the uber experienced guys wearing the stupid clothes and medals outside of competition and the general feeling is “… I hope I don’t turn into someone that feels the need to wear that …”

So, at what stage do you become tri-dork? Some research required! Is it the equivalent of the teenage years when common sense fails to prevail?

I also think that desperately digging out and old finishers top or other “I do triathlon, honest” item of clothing and floating about the place on competition weekend wearing it is a bit tired. The wearers seem to be trying to throw some form of message out there but I have no idea what it is. You don;t have to be wearing something with triathlon on it, it’s not compulsory.

Maybe the tri-dorks are trying to impress non athletes by letting them know how fit they are. Wearing the stuff to denote that they are triathletes. I am sure they would be shocked to hear exactly what a non triathlete really thought …

there … abuse over! :slight_smile:

… now, where is my one piece tri suit, I need to go to the bank …