o the NHL in 2011. Whats more, if the Devils cant rebound from a disappointing 2013 campaign and get back into the playoff picture, then Jagr could be on the move again around the trade deadline, w

What I love most about running is that all you need to get started are your two feet and a heartbeat. Its one of the most travel-friendly sports since theres minimal gear to pack and you can check out the sights and sounds of a new city while getting in your cardio.But as Ive started running more (and as I enter my thirties), Ive begun to feel fatigue in my arches, calves and knees during and after my run. Ive stretched and massaged but realized it may be time to step up my gear beyond functional and fun sneakers -- its time to upgrade my socks as well.Compression gear functions as a base layer thats extra snug in specific areas. It supposedly helps increase blood flow and reduces lactic acid build-up -- which in turn could diminish my fatigue and speed up my post-run recovery. Ive worn other compression gear like leggings and shorts in the past, so when PRO Compression, a sock-specific company, sent me a few pairs, I was excited and curious to see if it could be the cure to my runners fatigue.The detailsThe socks I tested out were the PRO Compression Marathon Elite socks, the top-of-the-line model which retails for $55. They offer graduated compression, meaning the compression decreases as you move up the leg and closer to your heart. (The idea is that it helps push blood flow back towards the heart -- resulting in better circulation and an easier recovery from exercise.)The socks also have calf support and extra padding in the heel and toe for comfort on long runs. Theyre made of a blend of materials that are meant to wick sweat and smells.The testTo get the best overall impression of the socks I wore them during runs for a few months throughout the summer -- with shorts, under tights -- and in all kinds of weather. I wore a size small in the Marathon Elite socks and have a 5 ? shoe size. I also tried them out post-run and on recovery days.I have rather large calves and often have a problem finding socks that stay up, but these fit snugly -- as compression gear should. The material did seem to wick away sweat and the socks didnt slip down my calves no matter how hot it was or how hard I ran.I noticed that my arches felt more supported, which meant that I could wear more minimal running sneakers with less pain. It did seem like the tight fit made my calves feel oddly energized, but Im not sure if some of that was a placebo effect from wearing the socks.I was most impressed, though, with how the socks felt when worn during recovery. If I wore them post run (and shower), my calves felt hugged -- as though they were being massaged. They felt so good after one run that I wore the socks out to dinner because they felt too comfortable to take off.Worth it?At $55, these socks are priced right in the middle for compression running socks. Ive worn my pairs multiple times and theyve stood up to plenty of wear and washes. If you find yourself getting calf and foot fatigue or soreness from running -- or want to ease your recovery -- the PRO Compression socks are a decent, comfortable investment that Im happy to recommend. Daniel Murphy Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Chi Chi Gonzalez Jersey . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/1154t-eric-young-jersey-rockies.html . 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Jagr, 41, has been a productive offensive player since returning to the NHL at the start of the 2011-2012 season, scoring 89 points in 118 games. His puck possession numbers have been strong too, ranking 41st among forwards that played at least 1500 five-on-five minutes over the last two seasons. Hes slower, as one might expect from a 41-year-old winger, but hes still a 240-pound winger who can protect the puck and control play in the offensive zone. Criticism of Jagr, at this point, is most likely going to centre around his failure to score a single goal in 22 playoff games for the Boston Bruins, setting a single-season playoff record for the most recorded shots on goal (58) without scoring. He created chances, had 10 assists and was among the Bruins possession leaders in the postseason, but that zero in the goal column is an ugly number for a player who leads all active players with 681 career regular season goals, to go along with 78 career playoff tallies. While Jagr is a far cry from the dominant offensive performer that he was from 1991 through 2007, when he scored 1471 points in 1111 games (his 1.32 points per game the best in hockey over that span), he remains an effective scoring forward and has an opportunity to play a significant role with the Devils. When Ilya Kovalchuk abruptly retired from the NHL earlier this month, that left the Devils with a big opening for a scoring winger and while Jagr isnt capable of playing 24 minutes a night, like Kovalchuk has for the past couple seasons, Jagr can play 18 minutes a night on one of the top two lines as well as the power play. For whattever it may be worth -- maybe nothing, maybe slightly better chemistry -- the Devils power play will include a couple of Jagrs Czech countrymen, Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky.dddddddddddd With Jagr in the fold, the Devils have a decent group of top six forwards, including Elias and free agent additions Ryane Clowe and Michael Ryder on the wings, with Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique occupying the top two centre spots, though Andrei Loktionov could warrant a look in a scoring role too. Once the Bruins had traded for Loui Eriksson and signed Jarome Iginla as a free agent, there wasnt a fit for Jagr on Bostons top two lines, so he moves on, to his fourth team since returning to the NHL in 2011. Whats more, if the Devils cant rebound from a disappointing 2013 campaign and get back into the playoff picture, then Jagr could be on the move again around the trade deadline, where he would at least bring a draft pick in return, which is significant to New Jersey since they are required to forfeit their first-round selection as a penalty for the initial contract they signed with Kovalchuk. Thats a fall-back position, because the Devils would rather have Jagr play a role in getting them back to the postseason, but that asset management cant be ignored as a factor in getting Jagr inked to a one-year deal. With Kovalchuk gone and the free agent frenzy having died down, the Devils made the best of their situation. We dont have the salary numbers on Jagr yet but, because its a one-year deal, the investment shouldnt be problematic and gives them a reasonable replacement for Kovalchuk who may be 11 years older but, because of that, doesnt require anywhere near the same kind of financial commitment. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '