When I started running back in 1996, I was an ASICS girl.  When I was training for the London Marathon in 2015, I was noticing I was getting hot spots on the balls of my feet.  Graham at the Body Rehab said you should really try Hoka’s.  Pronounced ‘Oh-nee’, this is a brand developed in 2010 by two Frenchmen who previously worked at Salomon, searching for a modern trail shoe to play in on the Alps mountain paths. The wide sole is based on powder skis and mountain bike tyres.

The sole is THICK and they look like they would be a really clunky running shoe but don’t be fooled, they are super lightweight with excellent cushioning. The sole tips up at the ends, this meta-rocker geometry is supposed to encourage your natural running gait, giving you a smooth roll to lift off your toes designed to help prevent lower limb injuries. There is added stability within the shoes as your foot sits within the midsole which the brand calls ‘the bucket seat’.

I thought I would hate Hokas and would be too weird to run in, but I didn’t. I really, really loved them. They were so light and bouncy! After years of my toes poking through the end of my shoes after a bit of wear, I realised I was wearing too smaller sizw.  A measure in my local running shop, Pete Blands in Kendal, and whilst I usually wear a size 6.5 shoe, a running shoe in a size 8 was a much better fit.  Also, when training for and running marathons, your feet swell so wearing a bigger size is much healthier for your feet.

I am now on my 4^th pair and cannot recommend them enough. 

So here we are week whatever of lockdown, the elusive ‘R’ number is still around 1 and the world as we know it is a much different place. There does feel to be a light at the end of the tunnel as we navigate our way out of lockdown.

April 2020 marked my 30 year anniversary of moving up north and to Kendal. It feels like a lifetime ago and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have lived here longer than I haven’t.

Continue reading Adoptive northerner →

Not a great start to the week, luckily it was a less intense week of training. Mind was on overtime with work. Trying not to compare myself to others, seeing what everyone else is doing in the run up to london marathon.

The end of the week was better, back on track, runs completed. Felt much better and happy. Also lost another 2 inches when measured at Club, core and more.

Just need to hope that the current coronavirus doesn’t postpone the marathon!

Another week and at the half way point, current status in a relationship with a marathon training plan. As I do every week, a check of the plan and see how I can fit in the weeks ahead training.

The week started off well and managed 2 runs with Annie who I’m running the marathon with. It was great running with her and getting her out running.

Had no time to fit in my long run so one day was a double run day. It’s not ideal as the point of long runs is to build endurance. But miles are better than none.

Managed 2 of 3 strength training classes. Sunday’s was a right off due to too much gin/wine consumed the night before! You’ve still got to have a life whilst training.

Nearly getting to the half way point and not getting any easier. As I’ve said before if it was easy everyone would be running a marathon. I read somewhere you train so you can tolerate the pain, how true.

So as the image says, it takes 4 weeks to notice a change in your body. 4 weeks of training and yes I can see a difference in my body. It’s not been easy but if it was easy everyone would be toned.