Hoka Time

Stinson B

About a year ago, I ran a Pacific Coast Trail Run and saw my first Hoka OneOnes. I thought they looked like moon boots and thought they were very odd. I had not run an ultra yet but I had already experienced foot pain in marathons and was looking for relief. Later in the year, I ran my first 50 miler (Leona Divide) and later on ran the Bishop 50 Miler. In both races my feet took a beating but I survived.

After climbing Whitney twice in ten days, I decided to try a hundred miler and choose the 100 Mile Endurance Challenge. It was an urban ultra from Corona to Santa Monica so I would not have to deal with altitude or monster climbs and descents. But I was facing a lot of pavement and sidewalk and I was not looking forward to the foot pain.

When I got to the starting line of my first hundred, it seemed like half the field was wearing Hoka One Ones and I wished I was even though I had never worn a pair. Well I made it 60 miles or so before my feet started killing me and I finished in 28:22 despite my foot pain.

Mile 88

Now with two hundreds coming up this summer (San Diego & Angeles Crest), I decided to buy a pair. Besides saving my feet, I have heard they help with descending and that is where I lose a lot of time in races. In fact, I missed the 28 mile cut off at the Ray Miller 50 Miler (I ended up doing  Miler) a because I was so slow on the steep descents.

Since I am not near any store who carries them, I decided to buy them from Zombie Runner who got them to me in two days (Free shipping btw!). Plus I saved 10% by using the Badwater code.

My first impression when I put them on was they ran true to size. I have been wearing tens forever (all brands) and they fit like most of the shoes I have owned. Now standing in them was odd because they have a lot of cushion. My sons thought I looked funny in them and I felt taller too.

Since I had some time, I went for a 40 minute walk / run in them. Walking felt very weird and slow too but running felt great. They seemed to really help me keep the Chi Running form that has helped me stay injury free over the years. Since I only ran on the bike path, I did not get to try them on some hills but this first test run was aces. Of course tomorrow's 20 miler will be a better test.

Bakersfield ChiRunning Clinic

November 8^th 2009

Run injury-free for the rest of your life

Increase efficiency with a mid-foot strike

Increase your speed while reducing effort

Finish a pain-free marathon and look forward to running again!

Hello Running and Walking Community of Bakersfield & Beyond!

Let me begin by saying how much I have missed sharing the trails with all of you these past few years! Motherhood, however, has trumped my running world temporarily. Instead of celebrating marathon accomplishments, I just celebrated Maxine’s 2^nd birthday!

There is so much news to share about ChiRunning and ChiWalking that I could never fit it into this email. If you’d like more information on all that is going on, check out the ChiRunning official website at www.chirunning.com.

Most importantly, here are the details for the upcoming Bakersfield clinic:

Clinic Date: November 8^th 2009

Time: 9am – 1pm

Location: Yokuts Park , Bakersfield , CA

Fee: $70/individual; $130 if you sign up as a pair

PLEASE EMAIL TO BOOK YOUR SPOT

Advance Payment Preferred
Send checks payable to:

Bryn Randolph
306 Irene Street

Bakersfield, CA 93305

WHAT TO BRING:
Water, light snack, comfortable running gear, sunglasses, etc...(you only actually run about 800 meters throughout the clinic)

Limit: 12 participants


Just what IS ChiRunning?

For beginners and competitors and practiced by thousands of runners, ChiRunning combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable.

Endorsed by top runners, medical doctors, and regular people, ChiRunning is revolutionizing the sport of running.

What will I get out of the workshop?

In this workshop you will learn the basic ingredients of the ChiRunning® Technique.

I will be guiding you through many exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the ChiRunning technique feels like in your body. We will not be doing lots of running (contrary to what you might imagine), so no matter what condition you’re in, have no fear. We will spend the day alternating between demonstrations, fun exercises and technique drills…the nature of the day will be relaxed, full, and inspiring.

• The Keys to Effortless, Injury-free Running
• The Physics of Running: Run without Using Your Legs
• ChiRunning® versus Power Running
• Introduction to the ChiRunning® Form
• Posture, Lean, Lift
• Personal Check-in Tricks and Tools
• Learning to Use Your Gears
• Core Muscle Drills and Exercises
• Pre-run Body Looseners, Post-run Stretches
• Run Various Speeds While Conserving Energy
• Hill Running techniques
• Videotaping of your running form