Morning Team,
In today’s post, for the first time in 25 years of running, I’m prepared to recommend a brand and model of running shoe.
Having run in well over 100 varying models and brands, only now, after a thorough road <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/klklk.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2446 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/klklk.jpg" alt="klklk" width="298" height="169" /></a>test (about 200kms including a race), I’m up for a plug. And, I must concede, I harboured serious apprehension about even trying them in the first place. But now, almost oddly, my personal running interests and quest for miles have been renewed.

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I SHOULD ADD - I am not sponsored and I will not be selling these shoes.

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But first, I’d like to confirm and make absolutely clear; I strongly believe the #1 component to improving one’s running experience is to consider fine tuning their most ideal technique. In saying that, enjoying increased pain free (faster) miles will usually also lead a runner to their unique best form.

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Born to Run....
Well before the 2009 iconic running book Born to Run (Chris McDougall) was first <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/rujg5fh577f.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2444 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/rujg5fh577f.jpg" alt="rujg5fh577f" width="181" height="279" /></a>published I had immense interest in the efficiency of running bio-mechanics. My initial interests came from mounting personal running related injuries – a result - of what I would later determine my own atrocious inefficient technique.
To cut a long story short, I worked on re-programming and consequently improving my running form, to; reduce injuries, increase running enjoyment, and ultimately improve results.
Finishing the book had you believing, and confirming, certainly for me, that if you were to run either barefoot, or at a minimum, using a thin protective layer, you’d be left with no option but to “most” efficiently land &amp; load your body weight underneath your hip – while transferring your weight through the ball of your foot.
As a consequence, your body would be well balanced. This would promote a natural elastic <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/nnjnjnnn.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2448 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/nnjnjnnn-300x136.jpg" alt="nnjnjnnn" width="300" height="136" /></a>recoil effect through the plantar fascia (arch) and Achilles tendon. Sort of like an elastic band and it’s energy snap back. Also, it encouraged a lighter and faster (leg turn over) footfall.
Shortly after the book’s phenomenon success, most commercial running shoe brands came out with flat &amp; thin soled models with minimum heel drop. It seemed the days of the chunky air bedded heels were over.
Before we knew it we had 100kg (born again) runners hammering the bitumen landing on the balls of their feet like 55kg Kenyans. Most people buying these shoes lived in concrete and bitumen worlds, and sat down for up to 95% of their waking day. Their hips and knees were near fixed at unnatural right angles.
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<span style="color: #008080;"><strong>The result: threaded Achilles &amp; calves (including medial shin inflammation), knee pain - particularly ITB inflammation, and quadriceps (thigh) overload.</strong></span>

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Righto – here’s my plug!
My first impression of the HOKA One One range was .......you have to be kidding!!!!!!<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bon.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2436 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bon.jpg" alt="bon" width="282" height="179" /></a>
They looked massive, clown-like, and only if you were over140kg+ would you remotely consider them.
My New York running protégé Gus Worland (at 115kg) started using them after he was challenged with knee pain using a more conventional style shoe. They worked for Gus and he is still using and loving them today.
I noticed the winner of the recent Cairns Ironman racing in them. Hmmmm, there’s no way he’d concede an inferior, potentially career ending product for sponsors coin – well, not shoes anyway!
So I laced up a pair of Hoka One One Clifton 2’s - armed with reservations.
OMG! It truly feels like you’re gliding on clouds. After literally 10 metres it was clear something was remarkably different.
After my first 2 runs, while the extra-ordinary cushioning and shock absorption offered a <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/one-one-shoes.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2450 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/one-one-shoes-300x188.jpg" alt="one-one-shoes" width="300" height="188" /></a>very positive experience, I almost felt like my knee and ankle may have been working a little too hard to stabilise my landing and transfer of weight. Sort of like you’re on a cushioned wobble disc! However, after about 20kms, the sole seems to harden up, the inner sole mould to my foot, and as a result offered very stable support.
Running down hill is just insane. Whereas, in recent years with aging knees I’ve been gun shy on descents, finally I feel I can stretch out without wearing the excessive cost of reverb through my knees, shins and quads.
It’s been my post run recovery that has perhaps offered the most noticeable change. My post long or hard run residential stress has reduced by 50% - this is an enormous effect (on my aging parts). I am actually psyched for my next run. In fact I caught myself running daily, something I haven’t done in 10 years.
Now, as for the chunky fat heel! While I’m aware it’s there, the shoe is designed with a <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/IMG_72161.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2439 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/IMG_72161-300x169.jpg" alt="IMG_7216[1]" width="300" height="169" /></a>convex rocker sole, so I don’t have any inclination to use it. Meaning, almost innately, I feel if I were to land and load on any area other than my forefoot, it would be immediately counter-productive – and corrected by the shoe.
What about speed? I picked up the pace to test its rebound effect. Again, it hits, rebounds, and springs just as quickly as any other minimalistic racing shoe I’ve used.
So what’s the catch? Well, I guess the look! and the stigma that you’ve got a bed mattress below your feet. I’ve been running in the Clifton 2 model which is their most racey and lightest shoe @ 215g. It doesn’t look too dissimilar to other brands, but is crazy light for the bulk of shoe.
The Wash Up!
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<strong>If you’re perhaps; 1) returning to running from a (forced) break, 2) you’re a little heavier than you used to be, or 3) you’re about to bang a stack of mega miles into your legs, I suspect the Bondi or Constant models would be more appropriate.</strong></blockquote>
If you can get over the almost gimmicky look, I think you’ll find that after just one run you’ll experience a huge “ah har” moment! It really is an encouraging and pleasant experience.
I know this is a serious plug but I just can’t see how you’d be disappointed. The cost incidentally is on par with most other brands.
Bring on the miles!
BP

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<strong><a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bbbj.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2451" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bbbj-300x211.jpg" alt="bbbj" width="179" height="126" /></a></strong>
There’s a ton of joints in Sydney you can pick them up


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