Winning Back What I Lost

930PM: So very hot, even at night. Warm + 2x (4 x 800m) w/ 90 secs rest.

930PM: Progression run.

930PM: The heat never ends. Still 90+ when I started out. Hamstring cramped up on me the last 4 miles. After reading maybe a thousand reviews, professional and non-professional, I finally ordered some Hoka One One Rapa Nui's. A big guy like me just needs more cushion for these long runs. I'm dropping weight consistently, 2-3 lbs/week, but even at my typical racing weight of 170 I find that my legs get beat up on the longer distances on the road. We'll see if this is a game changer as far as recovery and being able to safely add more miles w/o injury. BTW, I found the shoes at Boulder Running Co. for $99 & zero shipping, $30 less than normal retail. Never ordered from them before but so far the cust service has been great. They shipped out that day which I thought was impressive. Should be here on Monday.

930PM: Not as warm tonight. Felt pretty good and my easy pace was almost 1 min faster than it has been during this heat wave. Need to transition to working out in the cooler AM but I've been saying that for weeks.

945PM: Not as warm as it has been. First run in my new Hoka's that arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. I only have one thing to say- I wish I would have purchased these shoes a long time ago. They are a little more pricey then most trainers, although I bought them for $30 under retail w/ no shipping, but the fit and cushioning is next level.

They obviously don't make you run quicker but they do make it more enjoyable. Soft enough to eliminate the fatigue that I've grown accustomed to with my other trainers but firm enough awhere I can still push off. As I sit here immediately after a 6 mile run I really don't feel as if I've run tonight. My Kinvara's are certainly much lighter, about 4 oz. lighter, but my legs begin to feel the onset of fatigue after 4-5 miles. I've learned to work through that fatigue over time but now I feel like I won't have to. If I can just get to my normal racing weight I'm sure this effect will be felt over much longer distances. All that and Hoka is releasing a new model next month, the Clifton, which weighs 2 oz. lighter than my Rapa Nui's. I already know I'll be purchasing a pair in a few weeks.

And that is the impression I got straight out of the box! How good will they feel once they've broken in?