Tag Archives: workout

Hoka One One Mach 2 Shoe Review

March 1, 2019 By in Gear Review, Running Tags: , , , , ,
Hoka One One Mach 2 Shoe Review

Recently I started running in two new Hoka Models. The Hoka Mach 2 and the Hoka Cavu 2.  Both of the original versions (Mach) and (Cavu) were favorites of mine last year. I was excited to see what updates they had made! The first version of any shoe can be hit or miss. Usually, a few significant changes are made for the second version depending on what customers preferred or didn’t.

So what was updated? The second version is slightly firmer but also slightly lighter. The fit remains similar, and dare I say it, even a tad big? Not big enough to go down a half size.

hoka one one mach

Fit:

The upper has been updated to include open engineered mesh.  It’s much lighter and more breathable than the previous model. Actually, it breathes extremely well, if not one of the best I’ve seen from a running shoe.

The fit itself is slightly long (almost unheard of these days in the running world!) but nothing I would adjust sizes with. I’m usually between a 10-11 wide. The Mach isn’t made in wide, so I went a 10.5.  I think if it were made in wide, I would order the wide.

Ride:

The Hoka Mach 2 uses Hoka One One’s early stage meta-rocker. What does that mean? The Meta-Rocker combines a low heel lift that promotes a smooth transition from heel to toe.  A smooth “rock.”

For those already running in Hoka, the Mach 2 feels much more responsive without sacrificing cushion. It’s a great speed work, or even racing shoe. For those running in a traditional brand but wanting to try Hoka, it provides the Hoka cushioning but without the drastic change of going to either the Clifton or Bondi.

If you ran in the first version of the Mach, you’ll notice a much softer heel but a firmer forefront. Hoka chose to do this to make for a more smooth heel to toe transition. If you strike more towards your heel but are looking for a racing shoe, the Mach is one to consider.  For me, it’s light, smooth, and been a good addition to my long run shoes.

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Ran another solo 5k today. . 19:51| (6:27, 6:22, 6:24)

A post shared by Hollie (@fueledbylolz) on

Thoughts:

I like the Mach and I’ve put just over 100 miles in it. For me, it works best as a faster long, or daily run shoe. I like more cushion for recovery and a little less, shoe, like the Hoka One One Cavu, for speedier work.

Current Rotation:

Daily Runs: Hoka One One Mach 2, New Balance 1080

Recovery Runs/Easy Runs: New Balance 1080, Brooks Glycerin

Speed Work:Nike LT, Nike Fly

Tempo Runs/Quality Long Runs: Nike Fly, Hoka One One Cavu

Races: Nike LT, Nike Fly

If you’re interested in weekly shoe reviews and running industry trends, subscribe to my newsletter. 

Questions for you:

Have you tried Hoka?

What is your favorite shoe? 

Training: 5ks and Rain

February 25, 2019 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , , , ,
Training: 5ks and Rain

Another week of training in the books. Despite not racing, I had good workouts.  To be honest, I haven’t hated “not racing” recently.

I’ve enjoyed waking up, running my own 5k, and getting on with my day. I still show up, work hard, but in the comfort of my own time. There haven’t been a lot of races lately locally anyway.  Recently, I haven’t particularly wanted to drive 90 minutes round trip. I haven’t been feeling it.

Monday: .1 outdoors/easy 60 minutes treadmill
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes
Wednesday: 6X800 with 400 jog in between
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: 5k (20:01) 6:37, 6:21, 6:26
Sunday: Long Run (14 miles)

Thoughts:

Last Monday, I was in Albany. We had gotten some snow overnight.  When I lived in NYS, I ran outdoors before, so I wanted to be “badass” and run outside again.  That was a terrible idea, and it ended like this:

The rest of my daily runs were easy.  Nothing of note.

Workout Wednesday: 6×800 averaging 6:10 pace with 400 jog in between.

I wanted to get a good 800 workout in. When I started running there was no snow, but it looked like it may snow. In the end, the snow was coming down hard, and there was a lot on the ground. By the end of the day, we had a good 3-4 inches.

As far as the workout, I felt decent. My legs still don’t feel like they have a lot of pep, but they don’t feel bad either.

Lonely 5k: (20:01) 6:37, 6:21, 6:26

I had other plans this weekend to run the Frostbite 5 Miler. Things changed and driving 90 minutes round trip wouldn’t fit in, so I ran at home. I’m not entirely sure my watch didn’t pick up, and I ran a little long, but that’s ok.

Long Run: 14 miles at 8:13 pace

It was pouring rain, 45 degrees. The East Coast racing favorite!  On paper, 8:13 pace doesn’t seem that “fast,” but I negative split and had a quality run all around.

Thoughts:

In all, I had a good week. I’m not racing as much, but I don’t mind. As I look more into the Spring, I’ve realized this might be more of a stepback season for me. I’ll still run and race, but I’ll see where it takes me.

Finally, the second newsletter comes out today. It’s all about different models of racing flats.  The newsletter has moved towards the running industry trends, while my blog remains about my personal life.  You can subscribe here.

Posts from the Week:

Saving Time with Sweat Earth

Tools to Recover

Hiking Anderson Lake County Park

Questions for you:

How was your week of training?

Training: Just Showing Up

February 18, 2019 By in Running Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment
Training: Just Showing Up

Last week was another quality week of training. I’m slowly building mileage up. There are a few things I need to also do improve (ie eat a bit healthier as well as strength training) but not for now, I’m happy to start building the mileage up.

Monday: Easy 60 minutes
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes
Wednesday: 3X1 mile repeats (6:30, 6:40, 6:10)
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: Lonely 5k: 19:52 (6:27, 6:22, 6:24)
Sunday: 14 mile Progressive Long Run (Albany, NY)

 Thoughts:

One of my major goals this spring is to just show up.  Whether that means going to a race, or running a hard 5k myself, I’m looking to building speed. I’m not in the best shape ever, or even great shape but I know I have to push myself to get there.  Speed is relative, and while a 20 minute 5k is a PR for some, it’snot for me. If an Olympian ran a 17:59 minute 5k they would feel out of shape, and that is a dream for me…so it’s all relative.

Monday and Tuesday were challenging because of the weather (snow and ice) but I was able to get out there and get a great workout in.

Workout Wednesday: 3X1 mile with 2 minutes rest (6:30, 6:40, 6:10)

I’m happy with my effort on Wednesday.  It was extremely windy and my legs felt meh at best but I was able to just get it done. You can see the direction the wind went.

Lonely 5k: 19:52

The only local 5k was in Newark, Delaware. I had contemplated driving the 50 minutes there and back but I also knew we were going up to New York state in the afternoon and it was too much driving for me.  So I ran my own 5k and it went well. Granted the weather was better, but I ran 40 seconds faster than a sanctioned race last week.  Ha! My splits were 6:27, 6:22, 6:24.   Truthfully, I felt like I was dying the last mile so I was surprised to be under 20.

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Ran another solo 5k today. . 19:51| (6:27, 6:22, 6:24)

A post shared by Hollie (@fueledbylolz) on

Long Run: 14 miles averaging 8:05 pace

While in the greater Albany, NY area I ran 14 miles on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Trail. Not all of it was clear from snow but there was enough that with a few out and backs, I was able to get a good long run in. It was 10 degrees but it never felt “too bad”.  I felt good during the entire run and was able to pick it up with the last half averaging under 8 minutes.  Since leaving New York state over 5 years ago, I’m amazed at how low my tolerance for cold has become.

Posts from the Week:

Hiking Los Robles Trail and Open Space

How to Run with Your Significant Other

New Balance 1080 Shoe Review

Finally, for those who don’t know, I’ve started a newsletter. Throughout the next few weeks, my blog is going to go back to my life, race recaps, diners, and hiking.

I will still post shoe reviews but my newsletter will be where I’ll post content relevant and interesting like running industry trends, etc. It will remain free with the hopes to get sponsors on board to sponsor the newsletter.  I think the newsletter will benefit people more than my personal life because it will have more information that is relevant to you (the subscriber). As someone who works in the industry, I have a much bigger knowledge base of shoes, gear, and industry trends. Thank you to everyone who has already subscribed and shared, it really does mean a lot!

You can subscribe here.

Questions for you:

How was your week of training?

How do you bust out of a running rut?

Training: Grinding and 5ks

February 11, 2019 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments
Training: Grinding and 5ks

My training last week went as needed. I got in a speed workout, moderate long run, and heck even a race.  For the most part, my runs felt decent, but I have a long way to go, fitness wise.

Monday: Easy 60 minutes
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes
Wednesday: 6X800 with 800 jog in between
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: Cupids Chase 5k (20:32)
Sunday: Long Run (14 miles averaging 7:59)

 Thoughts:

My easy runs were just that, easy. There was nothing of note.

Workout Wednesday: 6X800 averaging 6:30 with easy 800 jog in between

This workout went by slow. So slow.

At the first rep, I told myself I couldn’t do it. At the second, I said omg 1/3 of the way. By three, I was like ok halfway…both four and five seemed just to blur away and then six I was like hurry the F up, you’re almost done.  It’s not as fast as I was this time last year, I know I can get there.

Cupids Chase 5k: 20:32

Even though the course was long, it still stinks to see a time over 20 minutes when I’ve recently run 5k workouts by myself under 20. The day itself was cold and windy.

During the first mile, I ran with a local friend, and we split about a 6:20. There was a huge ice patch across the course, and I ran all the way around through cold, wet, grass. It definitely cost me a few seconds. I hit the turnaround at 9:45 and thought, wow this will be pretty good. I didn’t feel bad, or like I was dying. Then I ran the second mile in 6:30. The final mile went back over the ice patch, which I seemed to take the longest route possible to go around it. Instead of just heading back to the start, we turned left and did a short out and back which made the course about .1 long. We did the same thing last year, but the halfway cones were about 1.5 not 1.55. As I crossed the finish line, the shoot was deflating because of wind. Am I ecstatic about a 20:32? Not really but it is what it is. I had a great time seeing friends who I haven’t in a while.

14 Mile Long Run: 7:59 pace

I wanted a quality run without speed, or a tempo mixed in.  Adding more speed right now would be a recipe for an injury, but I also didn’t want to run easy for 14 miles.  During training, 8-minute miles never feel easy to me. I always feel as though I’m working hard.  Not sprinting, and I can hold a conversation but it doesn’t feel easy or like a recovery run. The run went by fast and I had an enjoyable time.

Thoughts:

I’m looking forward to building fitness and getting back out there. I have about a month until anything big (Shamrock) half marathon. I know it’s next to impossible to get back to a Pr by then, but I’ll consistently grind and see where it takes me.

Posts of the Week:

Collagen Waffle Recipe

Steps to Increase Mileage and Stay Healthy

Coros Apex Watch Review

Hiking Marin Headlands

Questions for you:

Would you prefer a long race course or short?

I would prefer long.

What was your best workout last week?

Tips to Get your Workout Done Early

January 31, 2019 By in Running, Running Reads, Training Tags: , , , , , , , 8 Comments
Tips to Get your Workout Done Early

Recently I received a question about running and working out in the morning.   I haven’t always been a “morning runner,” but since graduating college, I’m a morning runner 99% of the time.  There are only a handful of times a year that I run in the afternoon. (In 2019, there were 4..and I count NYCM that started late). If I don’t run before 9 am, chances are I don’t run.  Of course, it doesn’t include races, although I did wish they all started before 9.  Keep in mind, there is no best time to workout. Do what works for you and forget about the rest.

I will be the first to tell you it’s much easier to run in the morning during the summer.  In the summer, it gets light earlier, and it’s warmer.  You don’t feel as though you’re ripping blankets off to go for a run in the dark and cold.  For me, with a constant change of schedule, it’s better for me to get the run done earlier.Tips to Get your Workout Done Early

Here are a Few Ways I Wake Up to Workout:

Turn Off Technology: 

I am known to turn my technology off around 9-9:30 pm.  I might go to bed a little later, but I stop fiddling with the computer, texting, etc.  It allows me to wind down and actually get to bed.  Tweeting at the pillowcase keeps me wide awake.  I started doing that sometime in 2013, and I’ve found it’s much easier to fall asleep. Did I miss your stellar 9 pm Instagram post? Maybe…but I’ll see it in the morning.

Set an Alarm (or 2 or 10):

I’ve adjusted to waking up between 5-5:30 am most mornings.  To be honest, at this point it doesn’t phase me.  However, it didn’t use to be like that, and I needed an alarm to pull me out of bed.  I always recommend setting the alarm.

Check the Weather the Night Before:

Mentally I like to have an idea if I’ll be running inside or outside.  Or if it’s going to be snowing, pouring rain, or windy.  Not all surprises are good ones.

Make Sure. You Have Appropriate Gear Clean:

Many bloggers will tell you to lay your clothing out, and I think that is fantastic advice, however, for me if I have appropriate gear cleaned and findable, I consider it a good day.  My life and gym clothes are not always ever “social media flat lay photo ready”.  Usually, it’s in my drawer, and I’m mindlessly grabbing things to put on. Sorry, I don’t match… I really don’t care.

Phone a Friend:

Meet someone for a workout. There have been several times that I wouldn’t have worked out if I wasn’t meeting a friend. Don’t underestimate the power of numbers.

Consistency is Key:

Sometimes we want to change but aren’t willing to give it time.  Give your new routine for at least 2 weeks.  If after two weeks, it’s not for you, find something that is!

Finally, remember this…there is no right or wrong time to workout. If you prefer a lunch or evening workout, that’s cool!  Don’t stress about it and choose that best time that fits into your needs.

Questions for you:
What time do you like to workout?
Do you have any methods to wake up in the morning?

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