Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review
Jan 31 2020
Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

I don’t typically review shoes in the stability category?

Why? Because I don’t usually run in them.  Lately, I’ve found I’ve needed a shoe that is more stable for longer, easy, runs. My body feels better with it. I didn’t want anything to be stable and the Hoka One One Arahi 4 felt comfortable.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

The Hoka Arahi 4 is one of two support trainers from Hoka. The other (Hoka Gaviota) has max stability and cushion.  The Hoka Arahi 4 is lighter and more responsive. The closest neutral trainer to the Hoka Arahi 4 is the Hoka Clifton 6.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Quick Facts:

Weight: 8 oz

Heel to Toe Drop: 5 mm

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Fit:

One thing that drew me to the Hoka One One Arahi 4 over other more stable shoes was the width. While the Hoka Arahi 4 is not the widest Hoka shoe, it’s wider than most brands.

Most of Hoka’s shoes use an engineered, seamless mesh.  Compared to previous versions, the Hoka Arahi 4 uses a softer material which makes the upper lighter, more durable, and more breathable.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

Since there are no seams, the Arahi 4 doesn’t irritate your foot if you have a wider forefoot, have bunions, or just like a wide shoe. That being said, the upper of the Hoka Arahi 4 also doesn’t provide much structure.

Since many Hoka models are wide and seamless, some people feel as though their foot just free-floating around in a Hoka shoe. That’s not a bad thing, and you never want a running shoe to be too tight. A tighter shoe isn’t providing support. That being said, you don’t want to feel comfortable.

Typically in running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide. I’ve found the Hoka One One Arahi 4 size 10 to be perfect.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Ride:

If you’ve run in the Hoka One One Arahi before, this year’s model is similar. The sole hasn’t changed.  If you are new to Hoka, Hoka uses early stage Meta-Rocker. The early-stage Meta-Rocker “rocks” you forward and provides a smooth transition from heel to toe.

Unlike the neutral shoes I typically use, the Hoka One One Arahi 4 uses “J-Frame” Technology to provide stability.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

What is “J-Frame”? 

J-Frame isn’t a traditional medial post like many stable trainers. It’s the second reason I was drawn to the Hoka Arahi 4.

The support is a denser foam that starts in the midsole and runs down the medial (inner) side of your foot.  It then goes to wrap around your heel (like a J). It’s easy to distinguish in the Hoka Arahi 4 because it’s slightly darker foam in the shoe. Many brands are going towards more natural ways to support your foot rather than a giant piece of stability built into the shoe.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

Finally, the outsole of the Hoka Arahi 4 uses high abrasion rubber. The Hoka One One Arahi 4 has traction when needed, but it doesn’t have the most traction of any shoe. It’s okay for inclement conditions.

I’ve run a few different types of runs in the Hoka Arahi 4 from long runs to easy, recovery runs, and a shorter speed workout. I’ve found the Hoka One One Arahi 4 fits best for me on an easy run day that my body is tired.

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Shoe Review

Hoka One One Arahi 4 Conclusion:

The Hoka Arahi 4 is a great trainer for anyone who needs some stability. It’s light, yet responsive. The cushioning is positive for anyone looking for something with a little more.

I appreciate the use of the “J-Frame” and the natural stability versus a giant arch piece. I’ll continue using the Hoka Arahi 4 as my easy run shoe.

Current Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka One One Arahi 4, Asics Cumulus 21

Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2

Long Runs: Brooks Ricochet 2 Shoe Review, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Altra Escalante 2.0, Hoka Cavu 2

Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%,  Reebok Run fast Pro 

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.

Questions for you:

Have you run in Hoka before?

Have you tried the Hoka One One Arahi 4? 

 

Hollie 3 Comments
Fun Run Box Review
Jan 29 2020
Fun Run Box Review

Fun Run Box Review

Recently I tried the Fun Run Box.  The motto of the Fun Run Box is “For Runners, by Runners,” which I thought was cool. With a subscription to the Fun Run Box, you get a box each month filled with “Runner Things.” One thing I appreciated is that each item in the Fun Run Box is full-sized. You aren’t getting half of an item or a little bit of something. Who wants to try half of something?

Fun Run Box Review

So anyway, what is Fun Run Box?

Fun Run Box is a running monthly subscription box.  What makes Fun Run Box different is that it’s also a running experience. The monthly challenges and monthly theme box make it different.  T

Fun Run Box Review

Boxes each month come with anything from running gear, apparel, skincare, and snacks.  Then there is also a “challenge” each month from a game to a running streak. The running challenges makes more interesting than here is a box for you. Especially in the winter months, we all need more motivation.

With the February Challenge, it was a “Scavenger Hunt” for all things red. Each month is part of the challenge series and you never know what you’ll get. A few of the items included red running shoes, a sign with red lettering, and a dog wearing a red sweater. By competing, you could win your next box free.

Who doesn’t love a good competition?

So what was in the Fun Run Box?

So that Fun Run Box sends you the right sizes and appropriate gear, you choose which gender as well as your shirt size, calve size (for compression), and sock size. They take care of sending you a fun care package.

Fun Run Box Review

I appreciated that the Fun Run Box is catered for the season. Obviously, it’s February and colder.  The items this month included a headband, hat gloves, and hand warmers. The hat is a wool reversible City Sports Beanie.

Fun Run Box Review

All the winter gear was high quality and isn’t just cheap, clearance stuff on sale.

The Fun Run Box also came with a few new to me products, including Nuttzo organic butter.  I’ve never tried Nuttzo before but have been making an effort to eat more peanut butter, so this was perfect. I liked both the original and the chocolate power fuel.

Fun Run Box Review

The Fun Run Box also came with a “Boost Hydrate” to get electrolytes. Similar to products like Nuun. It tasted good, and I appreciated the electrolytes.

In all, I like the idea of the Fun Run Box.  I think it’s a great idea for running friends that “have it all” or that you have no idea what they would like. We all have friends like that.

Right now, Fun Run Box is offering 15% off with the Code: Welcome15.  The boxes are usually 35.99 (if you do more than one month, they are cheaper). 

You can see all the product reviews here.

Questions for you:

Have you tried a subscription box? Runner box or any box? 

Have you ever gone on a running scavenger hunt? 

Hollie 13 Comments
me running trails
Jan 27 2020
Sub 1:25 Files Week 3

Last week finished up my second week of higher mileage and gritty training. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I can feel myself getting fitter.  I can’t wait to jump into a race (either next weekend or the 8th).

Anyway on to training-

Monday: 8 miles Easy Trails
Tuesday: 10 miles easy
Wednesday: 15X.65 with 1-minute rest (total mileage 14)
Thursday: Easy 6 miles with Alexis
Friday: 10 miles with strides
Saturday: Easy 8-mile group run
Sunday: Tempo Workout: 10 miles averaging 7:16 pace (14 miles total)

1:25 Training Logs

Week 1: 

Week 2: 70 Miles

Week 3: 70 Miles

Thoughts:

This was a week for training-a good week that is.  My mileage stayed at 70, but the quality of miles increased and the my long run had more quality miles.

On Monday, I knew I needed to get the mileage in but wanted something on trails. I decided to lace up my trail shoes and head to Brandywine. Since it was a Federal Holiday, my husband had off to so it was fun to go do that.  We went super easy and it was more of an “outing” than a serious run. I wore the Under Armour Horizon BPF Trail Shoe which I ran my trail races in during the summer of 2018.

Workout Wednesday: 15X.65 with 1-minute rest

Since I didn’t feel like changing my watch to 1k repeats, I decided to make it .65 repeats. (1k is about .62 miles) but my choices were .6 miles or .65. I’m sure there is a way to change it on my Coros watch, I couldn’t figure it out. Anyway, I averaged about 6:55 pace for the 1k repeats (on roads.  There were hills and normal things you contend with while running).

The workout itself leads to about a 1:09.10 10 miler which is about 1 minute faster than I ran 10 miles on a very flat course last week. I’m proud of how this workout went.

Sunday Long Run: 10 miles Tempo 7:16 (warmup/cool down=14 miles).

I wasn’t sure how the long run would go. My goal was to run between 7-7:20 pace. I typically struggle with running this pace in a nonrace environment. My first mile was 7:44 and my last mile was 6:48.  I ran 2 warm-up and 2 cool down for a total of 14 miles. I am still in shock I was able to hold this and it was faster than both Cow Run 10 Miler and Sea Legs Shuffle. The Sea Legs Shuffle was pretty much the opposite with a regressive run LOL.  I’ve been doing a lot of long runs and workouts in Philly lately. It’s only a 15-minute drive from my house and it’s a nice change of scenery.

Next week I’m hoping to jump into a 5k and see where my fitness is at. I feel like I’m finally making progress in the right direction.

Posts from the Week:

Diadora Mythos Blushield Hip 5 Shoe Review

Naked Nutrition Collagen

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.  This week is the 50th edition! 

Questions for you:

How has your training been going?

Do you like to go somewhere new or run the same routes? 

Hollie 0 Comments
White Rose System (Roselle) taylor ham
Jan 26 2020
White Rose System (Roselle)

White Rose System (Roselle):

Recently I was in Roselle and wanted to stop at the famous White Rose System. The White Rose System is a legendary old school metallic diner.  I’ve gone to a few older diners recently and it’s like you step into a time machine.

As I mentioned last week with the White Rose Diner, many old diners in New Jersey have the name white in them; in fact, there are about 20 old diners in New Jersey that have the name.  According to Munchmobile, when diners were first starting, “white” meant cleanliness and wholesomeness

White Rose System (Roselle)

White Rose System (Roselle) Atmosphere: A
You cannot get an older diner than the White Rose System. It’s a shiny, square, metallic diner, located in the hill. The inside is bar seating only. The White Rose System fits about 20 people and everyone sits on a stool.

White Rose System (Roselle) inside

White Rose System (Roselle): Coffee: B
The coffee at the White Rose System is no-frills only. I got a small cup that held about 8 ounces. It was good and it tasted like perfect diner coffee.

White Rose System (Roselle) coffee

White Rose System (Roselle) Food: A
The White Rose System menu is on the backboard and it’s small with no frills. You aren’t going to find healthy but you will find their famous Taylor Ham Rolls. I knew I wanted a Taylor Ham Roll with cheese, ketchup, egg, and tomato.

White Rose System (Roselle) taylor ham

I don’t typically order Taylor Hams (or Pork Rolls) so it was fun to try something different. It was a great breakfast sandwich and it was exactly what I pictured an old school diner to have.

White Rose System (Roselle) taylor ham

White Rose System (Roselle) Service: B
You aren’t getting a waitress or hostess at the White Rose System.  The manager takes your order and brings it out to you a few minutes later.  After ordering my Taylor Ham, it was ready within 2 minutes.

White Rose System (Roselle) Cost: $
For my sandwich and coffee, the cost was $5.80! That might be one of the cheapest diner meals I’ve ever had.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to White Rose System (Roselle)?
I enjoyed the White Rose System and the old school atmosphere. It was the stereotypical old school New Jersey Diner. If you’re ever in Roselle, I highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: B
Cost: $3-8 
Overall: B

You can see all 280 diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
What is the cheapest restaurant meal you’ve had?
Have you eaten at a cash-only spot? 

 

Hollie 0 Comments
Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) pork chop
Jan 25 2020
Superior Diner (Perth Amboy)

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy)

Recently Jess and I met up at Perth Amboy to catch up and eat the Superior Diner.  The Superior Diner is known as one of the better diners in the area, so we decided to stop.

We arrived around dinner time and it wasn’t too crowded.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) Atmosphere: B
The Superior Diner is an older, cobblestone building. It’s not a big, shiny, metallic building, but it stands out along the road.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) inside

The inside of the Superior Diner has plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) Coffee: A
The Superior Diner coffee was brewed hot and fresh and the waitress refilled it often. Plus, she gave both Jess and I plenty of whipped cream.  We couldn’t have asked for better coffee.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) coffee

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) Food: A
The Superior Diner menu is huge and there are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. In fact, the Superior Diner menu has the most specials of any diner I’ve been to in a while. I didn’t know what I wanted but then saw the pork chop special and ultimately decided that’s what I wanted. I’ve ordered diner specials a lot lately because they are cheaper and with more food!

Anyway, the pork chop special came with soup, salad, and the meal.

For my soup, I chose the lima bean soup. It was a red base with a little kick to it. I’ve never had lima bean soup and it was great.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) lima bean soup

The salad was typical of a diner salad with nothing unique or unusual about it.

The pork chops were delicious and were cooked well.  They weren’t overcooked and were tender and juicy — one of the better diner pork chops I’ve had recently.Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) pork chop

For my sides, I chose beets and they were good as well. Nothing unique or unusual, but they tasted good.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) beets

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) Service: B
Our waitress at the Superior Diner was friendly and our food came out fast. She was one of the better waitresses I’ve had recently. There was another waitress who was holding loud conversations and it made it hard to hear anything. At one point, she was yelling something about her cats.

Superior Diner (Perth Amboy) Cost:
For my pork chop special and coffee, the cost was $20.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Superior Diner (Perth Amboy)?
I liked the Superior Diner and it’s a stereotypical New Jersey Diner. It’s a great stop if you’re heading down the shore and I would go back.

Atmosphere:  B
Coffee: A
Food: A
Service: B
Cost: $12-20
Overall: A

You can see all 279 Diner Reviews here.

Questions for you:
Are you a pork chop fan?
What is your favorite type of soup?

 

Hollie 4 Comments
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