Disclaimer: I received a 2XU Thermal Compression Top and a pair of 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Tights to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
Hey Readers (and Runners)! Today is day 4 of a week long series by BibRave Pro’s, hosted by 2XU. The point of the series? New Years resolutions and how 2XU gear will help you accomplish your goals for 2016.
Flat Chadd ready to tackle the cold!
Sounds kind of silly right? A compression company helping tackle yearly goals, what’s the connection? I am glad you asked! (Or assumed you did at least). Let’s find out…..
My resolution is quite simple: Complete my 2nd Marathon. Specifically the Buffalo Marathon on Memorial Day. Before I get into how 2XU fits into this, I’d like to get everyone up to speed on who I am and how my running journey started. (Especially if this is your first time stopping by my blog. If so, welcome). I’ll spare the long details and just keep it simple.
I call this the “Running For The Average Joe” blog because that’s exactly who I am. Just the Average Joe who decided to lace up a pair of running sneakers one day and stuck to it. I didn’t run track in high school, didn’t come from an all star athletic pedigree or have a burning love for fitness and running. My story is much simpler. I ran my first 5K in June of 2013 as something to do. I then convinced myself to run a Half Marathon in September of 2013 and the rest, as they say, is history. If you’re interested in learning any more about me you can start here and check out this as well.
So how does my background tie into this post? You’re asking some great questions! Remember that lack of “burning desire” I said I have for running? That lack of fire can make it easy to skip a run or make excuses from time to time. [Disclaimer: I am hard headed and stubborn so while a fire might not burn, if I say I will complete a race I will complete a race.]
As I said, my goal for this year is my 2nd marathon. I ran my 1st in October of 2015 at the Chicago Marathon. Training for that marathon was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I logged more miles than I ever had at that point in my life and had to find some running trails that were foreign to me to handle the long distances I needed to cover. It was an extremely eye opening experience having runs consume my entire day versus just being something I got done in the morning or at night. So when it comes to training for a marathon I know how difficult the road to Buffalo will be. However what made those Chicago training days slightly better? The fact that it was 60 – 70 degrees out. With nice weather it made getting out and going much easier. Buffalo training? Not gonna be the same.
My Chicago Marathon training trails went something like this…….
Buffalo Marathon training trails are going to be a little different……
A little more of a disclaimer about me: I am not a cold weather fan. I have lived in the Philadelphia area for 30 years so you would think eventually I would adapt. I haven’t. If you believe in spirit animals I think mine is anything that lives in the Caribbean. Translation? I hate the cold. So with the weather turning to below freezing it is easy for excuses to creep up and skip a majority of my marathon training. However a marathon is not something to be taken lightly. Especially one I am traveling for. I have already traveled half way across the USA for one marathon, so I know the hassle involved in traveling all that way for a race. The last thing I want to do is show up unprepared.
So I am left with two options: A) Cancel my plans and take Buffalo off my list. B) Get out there in the cold and get ready for this marathon. I listed option A because that would be an option. But I can 100% confirm that is not realistic here. I would never back out of a race I am signed up for because I can’t handle the training. So here I am, left to brave the elements.
Enter 2XU.
My excitement for 2XU is well documented. Feel free to check out my review of their Hyoptik Cold Weather Tights and traditional compression tights. I love this brand. It’s that simple and I am not going to sugar coat it. I am not an ambassador for them, I am just a guy that found their brand and had my world rocked, for the better. As I have written before: “As far as I am concerned 2XU can do no wrong”. And I whole heartily believe that. Probably the best way I can describe my feelings for 2XU is the story I tell all the time when peoples ask me about them. Rather than re-tell that story, why don’t I take it directly from my blog. Below is an excerpt from one of my blogs of one of the many situations where I experienced the salvation of 2XU. Read for yourself:
That’s right, thanks to 2XU I was roaming the streets of Chicago by foot just a mere hour after my first FULL marathon! I can tell you many stories of how I couldn’t walk for days after half marathons before I found 2XU. This is 100% accurate.
So please believe me when I tell you how amazing 2XU is. After my Chicago experience I thought I had reached the apex of 2XU. Little did I know I was just getting started. Fast forward a few months later and the cold weather entered. How in the hell was I going to put in all the training I know I had to for a marathon in 10 degree weather?? And just like that 2XU came to the rescue in the form of their Thermal Cold Gear.
Because of this 2XU thermal gear I know 2016 will be different. The 2XU thermal top and tights have helped me in ways I thought no product ever could. The first time I strapped on my 2XU thermal gear and headed outside I instantly noticed a difference. While it was cold out, I wasn’t getting that feeling of wanting to run back inside right away. Everything fit comfortably and closely to my skin while also keeping me warm.
I was finally not dreading going out in the cold!
Finding 2XU has finally allowed me a way to brave the cold elements. If I had never come across this gear my Buffalo Marathon training would be drastically impacted. I would most likely stick to the treadmill, or even worse skip runs! I have been through the grueling training that is marathon training so I know what I have ahead of me. It is going to be even more difficult than the first time around when you factor in the weather. Thankfully 2XU is going to get me across that finish line and I couldn’t be any more thankful to them for it.
Covered in so much 2XU, you’d think I was a sponsored athlete. #NoShame
While I enjoy sharing my personal experiences I also try and let the product speak for itself. 2XU has added all the scientific facts on their packaging to explain why I feel so awesome about their gear. So I want to make sure people understand the science that goes behind this gear as well. First, the thermal top:
And more on the top……
Now learn about what makes the thermal tights so scientifically awesome……
So there you have it. I will be a 2 time Marathon runner thanks to 2XU! I am confident that I would not show up to Buffalo nearly as ready as I should be if I never was introduced to this gear. I hope this blog has convinced you to give them a try, because I really do believe they will make a difference to you. Whether you are looking for pain relief after a long run or braving the elements like me, 2XU covers it all! Check out the gear for yourself, and while you are at it, use the code “Run20″ to get 20% off all their gear! Hurry, because the code expires February 29th.
Remember how I said this was a week long series? Go and check out the other posts!
Day 5: Pro Jeremy
Running for the Average Joe 
HA! We are opposites. I mostly hated the weather training for Chicago Marathon (and especially hated weather on race day). I’m not currently training for a marathon, but am going for more miles/longer distance training in general, and have been loving the winter training! Totally agree though that having the right gear can make or break your spirit when training in the elements. Great post 🙂
Loving the winter weather? I am concerned for you, lol