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About Us
Running is my favorite thing in the entire world. One part physical, one part mental, it's my sanctuary from work and life—a brief respite from the madness. When I run, I mull things over or think about absolutely nothing except my immediate surroundings, the cadence of my feet, the crunch of dirt, the smell of the pines, and the sun's warmth on my face.
But right now, I'm stuck in a 425-square-foot apartment in Portland, Oregon, with my girlfriend, four cats, three bikes, and everything else we own. I usually run deep into the mountains and deserts. Now I have the opportunity to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of my urban jungle gym, finding things I never knew existed, all while attaining the same sense of tranquility and freedom the wilds afford.
Many things are as normal and reliable as always. The spring blooms are beautiful, the rain has shifted its spirit from melancholic drizzle to spirited bursts, and a smile still warms the heart. Simple truths like these remain steadfast. While we each adapt to the shifting times, running offers an accessible and effective way to stay healthy and sane.
Here are a few simple tips to get you started.
If you can't run, walk
Walking is even more accessible than running as a means of fitness and stress relief. It's much harder to get hurt walking than running. If running feels like too much right out of the gate, start walking with intention (i.e., faster than normal) and focus on form.
Be safe
Follow the most current guidelines and best practices. Right now in Portland, I can run around streets while maintaining appropriate social distancing, but I've stopped running on trails even early in the morning since I can't maintain the recommended six feet between other trail users. It's not about what I want to do, it's about what's best for us.
Take care of your feet
Running in an old broken-down pair of shoes is a great way to find yourself injured and in pain fast. Poorly fitting or built socks lead to blistered feet, so wrap them in something nice. FITS are the most comfortable and best-fitting socks I've found over the last 20 years. A lot of small outdoor retailers and running stores are getting creative with curbside pickup and other ways to stay open, so give them a call and start running!
Take a break
Maybe now isn't the best time to dive deep into the news or podcasts when you're out? I know a lot of people who run with headphones, but the only time I do is on a treadmill and those are also off limits right now (thankfully). Use your run or walk as a time to connect with yourself and your surroundings. It's ok to bring your phone, just don't look at it unless you really need to.
Start easy
Your first run in one (or five, or ten) years is not the time to go for your fastest mile. Start with a few runs a week at a mileage you know won't break you, check in with yourself as you progress, and build mileage slowly to avoid injury.
Be consistent
Runners aren't created overnight. It's day-in-day-out consistency that builds a solid foundation, keeping you injury free and running happily for years. Routine might be something you're craving right now, so put your weekly runs in your calendar and set a reminder.
Aside from the actual run, there's a lot more to consider. Strength and mobility exercises are critical to keeping your machine maintained, so build them into your weekly routine as well. Stretching and deep breathing are two ways to calm the mind and relax, and these activities also benefit the body.
While the gyms are closed and the trails are off limits for most runners, remember that the entire world outside your door is waiting, and that world is beautiful and great. All you have to do is lace up your shoes and go. If you see me out there, feel free to wave. I'll do the same, from at least six feet away.
Your sock size shouldn’t be a guessing game. Our socks range from small to double XL, but the best way to know the perfect fit for you is to match your shoe size to the chart on the left. That way, you’ll know the size you select will give you the fit and feel you expect.
Between sizes? Go with your gut, but rest assured that your socks will still fit great. If you receive your order and find yourself wishing you’d gone up or down a size, just let us know. We’ll happily send you replacements for your preferred size.
Concerned about laundry mix-ups? All FITS® socks are coordinated by color and size, based on the colors you see on the size chart. So, you won’t have to worry about mixing up your sizes with the other FITS® wearers in your home. (But stray socks mysteriously going missing in the dryer? Unfortunately, we can’t help with that.)
Sock sizes are typically measured in inches, not by your shoe size. So, a sock size 6-8 will comfortably fit someone whose feet are between six and eight inches long. However, at FITS®, we make it easy for you to choose the ideal sock size without having to measure your foot. Simply use our sock size conversion chart based on your shoe size to select the right fit for you.
To measure your foot for socks, measure the length from the heel of your foot to the tip of your longest toe. The measurement in inches correlates to your sock size. For example, if your foot is 10 inches long, a sock size 9-11 should fit you comfortably. At FITS®, you can skip this step and find your sock size based on your shoe size using our conversion chart.
The sock size conversion refers to sock size compared to shoe size. While all companies may vary slightly on which size socks to purchase based on your shoe size, you can always measure your foot to find the right fit for you.
Because sock sizes are determined by the length of your foot in inches vs. your shoe size, shoe and sock sizes differ. The FITS® sock size to shoe size conversion is as follows:
Knowing this makes it easy to choose the ideal sock size based on your shoe size without measuring your foot.
Sock sizes typically don’t correlate with age. For kids, age can be a general indicator of what size sock they’ll need, but everyone is different. An adult sock size 9-12 fits anyone whose feet are approximately nine to twelve inches long. For kids’ sock sizing, check with the company to find exact details to ensure your little one gets the perfect fit.
Got more questions about finding the perfect sock size for you? Let’s talk.
