At the end of March I bailed the EcoTrail de Paris, I had an awful day! One week later I was in the English Lakes with the prospect of running 30 miles or so over the Lakeland 50/100 mile route.
Let’s put things into perspective! The EcoTrail is a a lovely race, it has some hills but in comparison to the English Lakes, it’s flat! Therefore I was really hoping that the previous weeks ‘bad race’ was a one off!
The Lakeland team really do a great job. Not only do they provide the recce’s at a very affordable price but they also provide so much more… The night before the run we had a series of lectures, Marc Laithwaite from the Endurancecoach discussed nutrition and Gaynor Pryor talked about how she was first female in the 100 mile race in 2011.
On the morning of the recce we awoke to a light frost and some blue skies. Thank goodness! The Lakes can be a tough place when the weather turns nasty. We arrived at our meeting point at Waterhead just before 0800. This allowed me some time to record some audio for Talk Ultra. I spoke to last years winner, Terry Conway, I also spoke to a few ultra novices. It’s great to get a variety of feedback.
Our day ahead was covering Pooley Bridge back to Ambleside. Depending on which race you are doing, this is roughly the first 30 miles of the ’50’ or mile 55 to 85 in the ‘100’ give or take! It’s a stunning part of the Lakes with wonderful views, good runnable trail, some tough climbs and a day when the sun shines, it’s just a pleasure to be out running.
Always surprises me with a recce how some runners just fly off at the start…. Guys, it’s not a race!! The whole purpose of a recce is to run the course taking good mental notes of where and how to navigate, build up some time on your feet and also meet and talk to some like minded people.
The gradual climb out of Pooley Bridge soon had us running some great single track as we by phased Ullswater on our right and headed down to what would be a checkpoint in the race. For today’s purpose, we had no checkpoint. We crossed the road, through gates and then jogged through the valley to start our first big climb of the day.
We walked, talked and discussed the race ahead in a few months. The Lakeland is a tough route and get your pace wrong and you’ll pay for it! Today’s weather was proving quite hot and you could already see some struggling.
Over the climbe we then had a period of good running before heading down to Mardale. Terry Conway had caught up and we chatted. Turned out the day previous he and some Irish friends had run the first 52 miles of the course; nice! He had no visible signs of his body showing what his previous day had entailed. I guess that’s the difference between being a winner and a participant!!
Around Mardale is beautiful and today with the sun out and blue skies it looked incredible. It’s tough underfoot in this section with the terrain constantly changing. It’s rocky and rolls up and down. At Mardale head we had a checkpoint and an opportunity to refuel. It was very welcome! I did my best to consume a malt loaf.
The climb up out of Mardale is a long steep one. The path snakes it’s way to the top helping to reduce some of the gradient. From the top it’s a long run down over rocky terrain. This is when you are really glad you have Hoka One One on your feet. The full suspension mountain bike of run shoes. Yes, they make that much difference.
At the bottom a right turn and over a bridge and another rocky climb… This time the path was blocked by a 4×4 stuck precariously with its wheels spinning. At the top of the climb another 4×4 getting ready to help winch the other guy up… I wondered why? And then thought to myself, they probably had the same thought… Why are they running?
We dropped down to Kentmere and a final checkpoint before the last long tough climb of the day. A few runners started to suffer here. It had been a long day, a hot one and this climb sapped the calfs and hamstrings. At the top the decent ahead is very technical and I guess it’s like running down a quarry. It’s all rocks and they just vary in size and sharpness. Again, the Hoka’s are a dream on this stuff and it’s noticeable how much less impact you get.
Some trail now and finally road. A right turn, a left, up the trail and now we are parallel to Windemere and on the final run in to Ambleside.
We covered just under 30 miles and it was a stunning day. You cannot beat the Lakes on days like this! What was also nice was the easy and relaxed pace of the day. No pressure just running, chatting and meeting new people.
That evening we had some chill time and a great meal in Ambleside.
Monday, Niandi and I headed back out on the trail and started on the remaining section of the Lakeland route heading out to the Langdales. We didn’t run far, 90 mins but it was great to get back on the trail and it was good for the legs to feel fresh.
Looking forward now to the full 50 route recce in June which will take place over two days. Day one will be about 50k with remaining 30k done on day two.
Hoka One One
Endurancelife Weekend – Flete
Imagine a weekend on the southern coast at the Flete estate near Plymouth. Open fields, a bunch of endurance addicts, evening lectures, a camp fire, plenty of food, some sun, yes, some sun!
Endurancelife for the second year once again arranged a superb weekend. They even managed to secure some dry weather amidst a very wet April and early May. Ironic that parts of the UK are in a drought.
Based on the Flete estate, the surroundings are superb. Stunning coastline, sandy beaches, quiet inlets and of course the opportunity to camp on site. The weekend is a mix of events all geared at fulfilling new desires, testing new boundaries or fulfilling the needs of the dedicated.
I arrived on Friday via train with Niandi. Lacking a car at the moment made logistics a little awkward, so we managed to find some cheap accommodation in Plymouth and along with ELA ambassador James Adams we shared a hire car for the weekend. The plus side for us was that we had a warm bed for the evenings but I can’t help but think we missed out on some of the fun.
We arrived on Saturday at event HQ just in time to see the ‘Raid’ get underway. A multi discipline event that involves mountain biking, running and kayaking. Being the dedicated endurance athletes that we are, Niandi, James and myself got a Laver bread sandwich and coffee and relaxed on the grass. Laver bread was a new one on me, made from seaweed you wouldn’t expect it to be too tasty but it sure was. Especially when you add a fried egg, some mushrooms and spinach. Oh I do love sport as it does allow you to indulge in endurance eating too.
Neil Bryant arrived and asked if we had planned to take part in the Aquatrail. A swim, run, swim run and so on event. James did go through the comical process of trying a wet suit on but thought better of it and with the exception of Neil we decided that spectating would be the best option. Not before we had another Laver bread though first…
Late afternoon, what looked like a bunch of tall seals lined up on the beach ready to do battle with cold water and trail running. As they entered the water you could hear a few screams as the cold took the breath away. Out to a buoy and back to the beach they then ran off around the coastline taking in two more swims and run sections to eventually return back to the start point and repeat the process a couple more times. For nearly everyone this was an introduction to Aquatrail and although they had been told that it would involve 2k of swimming and 10k of running I don’t think many had anticipated how hard the event would be. Certainly as they came out of the water at the end of lap one the cold water was having an effect but many battled on with cold hands and feet to a successful completion of the first Aquatrail.
Back at camp we sat around the fire and listened to stories and music. A wonderfully chilled hour as the sun started to disappear on the horizon.
With darkness the first evening of Live More Lectures started. Stories of crossing Oceans rowing, climbing to the summit of Mt Everest and running the Bob Graham Round in the English Lakes. Stories to inspire and motivate. The three of us left the camp close to midnight not leaving much opportunity for sleep before the early Sunday start to take part in the Coastal Trail Series.
Niandi and myself ran the marathon and teammates Oliver Sinclair, Neil Bryant and James Adams ran the ultra. Having run nearly all the Coastal Series, Flete is the one race I hadn’t run so I was interested to see what lay in store. From the off, the eventual winner flew off at break neck pace and never eased up. We only saw him again at about 5k into the race when all the front runners missed a left turn due to a misplaced course marker (very unusual). The early miles had a couple of tough climbs but then the middle section had some great single track. At checkpoint 2 I dibbed in with my Sportident and ran straight off leaving my two running partners. Slowly opening up a gap I remained in 2nd place right to the end to take a very satisfying 2nd place. However, the top 3 place was not that easy to come by! the final 6-8 miles of the Flete course are pretty darn tough. The climbs are vertical and seriously hurt the calf muscles and hamstrings. Over the final climb and on the run in to the finish we had a river crossing which was just what the legs needed. All that cold water on tired muscles. Perfect. In the Ultra, Oli was second and Neil 3rd making a good haul of the top places for the Endurancelife Team.
The sun was out and recovery for the next few hours was paramount. Of course that meant some chill time by the fire, another laver bread and plenty of fluid… no, I was good, no alcohol. Well, not until later when I treated myself to a glass of red!
The evening lectures soon came around and we kicked off with tales of going to the North Pole. Our final talk of the evening was by Deborah Searle who had achieved stunning feats by rowing solo some 10 years ago. In the middle was me! Yes, me!
When I had been asked to talk I was left with a dilemma. I felt that in comparison to rowing the Atlanic, climbing Everest or going to the North Pole my achievements were insignificant. But I have one strength, I feel that I am an ordinary person who could inspire other ordinary people to also achieve and push boundaries in a simple way. Since the passing of my Dad in 2009 I had never spoken in public about my 8 marathons in 8 days that had become such a test at a very trying time. So, putting myself under the pressure of literally breaking down in tears in front of a packed room I put some demons to rest in my talk. I managed not to break down (just about) and I hope that I got across a simple story of running that anyone could undertake.
It was a brilliant weekend. Both Niandi and myself had a great time and it was such a pleasure to mix with some great friends, make new friends and soak up the south coast.
As per usual, the Endurancelife crew but on another super slick event with the whole team being so helpful. I would like to give some special thanks to Kate for all the help prior to the weekend and on the weekend.
See you all next year
Iznik Ultra
From the sound of the morning call to pray to the evening call for prayer, Turkey has a charm and a charisma that I have not experienced in another place. The people epitomize friendliness and an openness to help and a willingness to go out of the way to make your experience as a tourist a pleasant one.
Istanbul is chaos! The roads are blocked, the streets are frantic and amongst this is a calm and a charm that one cannot help but warm to. The Grand Bazaar I guess has lost some of the original charm of a typical ‘souk’. It shows signs of commercialism but how can one resist the urge to indulge. In close proximity one has the Blue Mosque, the Fire Tower and San Sophia. Working your way down to the Bosphorus one is greeted with ferry boats, fish restaurants and a bustle that increasingly comes to life with the approach of the night. Lights glow, the sky goes to a deep dark blue and the skyline is illuminated with Mosques. It’s quite magical.
Leaving the chaos of Istanbul and heading north for the 2+ hour journey to Iznik that included a relaxing ferry crossing was a stark contrast to the attack on my senses for the last 24 hours. Suddenly we had some calm and a time to reflect.
Our approach to Iznik was greeted by entering the north west corner of the lake ‘Iznik Golu’. Making the road journey to Iznik Village gave us wonderful panoramic views of what lay in store with the Iznik Ultra. A large beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains and fields of Olive Trees.
Iznik formerly known as Nikaia is in the province of Bursa and is some 90km south west of Istanbul as the crow flies. Iznik was surrounded by walls to protect it but now the walls are pierced in many places for roads. With a population of around 17,000 it has been a district center for Bursa since the early 1930’s. It has a deep history, Orhan 1 captured Iznik in 1331 from the Byzantium Forces and for a short period the town became the capital of the expanding Ottoman Empire. Famous for pottery and tiles, many of the Mosques in Istanbul have Iznik tiles designed by Mimar Sinan. This history was reflected in the wonderful finishers medals and plaques for the Iznik Ultra.
Our arrival at our hotel on the lake was a pleasurable one and soon followed with arrival at the race headquarters. The MCR Racesetter event team had taken over a club premises on the lake and turned into a control hub for the race. You would never have guessed that this was the first ultra that the they had organized. It was very slick and the attention to detail was immaculate. Caner (pronounced Janer) Odabasoglu , race director, the previous year had taken part at the TDS in Chamonix and he had obviously learnt a great deal from the experience. He had taken all the good aspects of the UTMB series of races and applied them to his own race. I had been helped expertly by Burcu Karakelle and Rabia Karaağaç in my pre trip preparations and they also manned the registration point. Needless to say, once registration was over they re applied themselves to the course and the smooth running of the event. Caner had not only pulled in his working team from Macera Akademisi but he had also pulled in the help of personal friends and he had mobilized the Iznik community and supporting villages and made this event important to them. They had a real pride in servicing all the competitors.
With a pre race kit check done that included a ‘typical’ requirement of : base layer, jacket with hood, first aid, elastic bandage, head torch, hat, gloves, food and the capacity to carry 1.5ltr of liquid I was able to relax and mix with other racers. I was initially surprised by some of the entrants, we had a couple of South Africans, French, Russian and even a Brazilian on the start sheet. The Brazilian unfortunately didn’t make the race due to some travel issues. On chatting, it turned out that the French guy was Jean-Loup Feneaux, the creator of AHOTU (www.ahotu.com) what I would consider to be the best reference point for all races in the world. In addition I was introduced to Ilgaz. Ilgaz is a co presenter of an ultra running podcast for Turkey. Quite amazing as he introduced himself to me as he recognized me (and my voice) from Talk Ultra. The ultra world really is a small one!
So the race!
We congregated in the Iznik centre for a pre race briefing at 0700 and then the race started, on the dot at 0730.
The previous days blue skies and warm weather had been replaced with rain but temperatures were mild. In many respects, perfect conditions for me! On the end of the count down we left on mass being told that the first few km’s although part of the race would be neutralized. They wanted to create a run procession as we left the town. It was perfect!
The race route was marked to perfection with either floor paint or red and white ribbons every 30-100 meters. Literally, if you had run for more than a minute without seeing a marker you knew you had gone wrong! It’s very reassuring. Although the 126k route was a loop of the lake and of course, the 60k was pretty much half of the lake, it was by no means flat as one would expect. Quite the opposite! All the vertical gain was undertaken in the first 60k making the shorter race a tough one as obviously you would be pushing harder, for the 126k runners this also meant that ‘pacing’ was crucial.
The short road section lasted 4km and soon became trail and then climbing to 580 meters. The trail path was wide, rutted and in parts slippery due to the falling rain. It was possible to run/ walk much of this early section, however, I am sure those running the longer race will have walked much of this first climb. Harder steeper sections had sections of flat and then more climbing. This scenario repeated itself constantly over the first 13kms and the first checkpoint at Derbent. From Derbent village we once again re joined trail heading west and this section incorporated a whole mixture of trail. Rutted ground, soft ground, rocks and of course plenty of climbing and descending. Under foot conditions in general where very good. To our left as we ran this section of trail we had the stunning views of snow capped mountains and to our right, the Iznik Golu lake and the Yenisehir Plains. It was stunning.
The Suleymanie checkpoint at 28.5km was an opportunity to re fill bottles/ bladder and soak up the appreciation from local villagers. Caner and his team had done a superb job informing, mobilizing and involving the local villages and communities. You must remember, running is not something the Turkish people have much experience of. Ultra running is pretty muck unknown…. The Iznik Ultra is very much at the forefront of Turkish ultra running.
The climb out of Suleymaniye was steep and tough and lasted almost 2km and then a long decent to the next checkpoint at 36km at Muskule. This was a simple checkpoint and really more of timing check than anything else. A small climb and then a long steep decent to a section of road than ran parallel to the Lake. Police escorted the runners and provided safety. This section lasted almost 10k going from the 37km mark to the next check point at Narlica at 42km. This was a key check point and a larger village. The whole town had turned out to cheer everybody on.
Now the hardest climb of the course. Heading out of the village you immediately headed up on a muddy, rutted trail that lasted for 7km climbing to 750 meters. It was made even more difficult as this track was used by the farmer, therefore the route up was basically in deeply rutted tractor tracks. The rain was falling harder and harder and the course was now becoming increasingly slippery under foot. It was tough on the mind, the body and more importantly the legs. Finally at the top a flattish section of trail was followed with a long quad busting decent to the 60km finish in Soloz. The trail to the finish was technical in places and quite steep. I know that many post race expressed how difficult they found this run in to Soloz. Again, the local community was out in force. As it happened, I was the winner of the 60km race in 6hrs 01min. It would have been nice to have been under 6hrs and certainly if in future editions the course is dry and without rain, that time will drop. To run the final uphill road section to the line with the applause of the locals, the cheers of the children and the appreciation of the Iznik Ultra team will be a memory I hold forever. I sincerely feel that what has been created in this race is the start of an ever increasing and ever popular ultra scene within Turkey.
At the finish I was able to relax, applaud and watch my fellow runners come in. For many though, this was only a 60km checkpoint. Motivated by a finish line in the centre of Iznik some 67km away, they refueled and step by step rejoined the course. It was now early afternoon and the occasional glimpses of sun and warm started to disappear. The rain increased and with it, the wind.
With the climbing done in the first 60km, the remaining running should have been relatively easy and flat. The course now pretty much hugged the lake until the 76km and the checkpoint at Ornekkoy. Here, you are taken inland to the 81km checkpoint and you then remain inland with the lake to your right until Ilica at 95km’s.
Running through Olive fields, the increasing heavy rain now made the course difficult under foot. With the added difficulty of night, it was now a test of will power for the remaining runners. A welcome section of road from 100km’s to 107km’ s provided some rest with the inclusion of a checkpoint at the village of Boyalica.
The dark, the rain, the mud, the wind tested everyone, the runners and the dedicated team of helpers and check point officials. At 111km’s another section of road and then the final push with a check point at Kurukpru at km 119. With just 8km’s to go, the finish was in sight. The arrival in Iznik awaited. But of course it was now the middle of the night. The winning time was 15hrs 45m.
The next day a 10km race had been arranged that created a perfect opportunity to introduce running to a greater audience. The town came out in force and was superb to see all ages and abilities taking part. Potential ultra runners of the future…. With marching bands, local dignitaries and a superbly organized prize presentation at 1pm the Iznik Ultra came to a close.
The medals and award plaques were something quite special. Iznik, famous for its hand made tiles had produced via a local tile maker all the finishing medals and plaques. A truly great memento.
I have raced all over the world and I have raced for many years. I have rarely scene a race so expertly organized or put together. It was the attention to detail, the course marking, the staff, the local community, the friendliness, the awards ceremony and the prizes that all came together to make this one of my fondest racing experiences. For this to be the MCR teams first event was quite incredible. I cannot praise Caner and his team enough.
Moving forward, this race will increase in popularity, it will bring in runners from around the world and will become a race to add to a runners ‘bucket list’. All I can say is that it deserves all the praise it can get. I for one will be back in 2013, no doubt
Notes:
Traveling from the UK to Istanbul is possible via Easyjet from London Luton.
Depending on available time, I would recommend a Thursday flight with an overnight stop in Istanbul. Stay in the Old City near all the sights.
Transfer from Istanbul to Iznik takes approximately 2 to 3 hours and includes a ferry crossing. Traffic in Istanbul is chaotic so be prepared.
Iznik is well serviced with hotels and many are on the Lake just a few minutes from race registration and the race start.
The first 60km are hilly and many may find poles useful.
Trail shoes are essential.
In training, practice going uphill and in particular train on hills putting as much emphasis on going down as going up. Many found the running downhill is what tired them the most.
Temperatures are usually quite warm but for this years race conditions became difficult, Particularly those running in the 126k.
Check and make sure you have mandatory kit. You will be checked pre race and during the race,
PLEASE VIEW ALL THE IMAGES of Turkey and the race here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iancorless/sets/72157629440938000/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iancorless/sets/72157629851013253/
Details for 2013
Race Director – Caner Odabasoglu
Address :
Macera Akademisi – MCR Race Setter Geyikli Sokak No:4/2
Beşiktaş – İstanbul / TÜRKİYE
Istanbul
Hoka One One Stinson Evo Tarmac ‘limited edition’
Stinson Evo Tarmac
STINSON EVO TARMAC – limited edition
ONLY 50 pairs available in the UK via runwildrunfree
Hoka One One’s maximally cushioned midsoles offer superior protection, comfort and propulsion. The distinctive ‘rocker’ geometry creates a platform for optimally efficient natural running mechanics.
The oversized outsole allows for greater stability, traction and connection to the ground. Hoka’s motto is ‘time to fly’ and the run shoes within the Hoka One One range really do provide a sense of weightlessness.
The brand and the shoes have come a long way in such a short period of time. The original comments of ‘what have you got on your feet?’ are slowly disappearing and with it the brand has developed and is gaining increased popularity.
The 2012 Stinson Evo introduced a new level of trail running shoe to the market – not only did it have great grip, comfort, breathable upper, speed lacing and precise control, but it also offered ‘drop dead’ good looks. On the limited edition ‘flag’ model, Hoka One One was displayed in big letters on the side.
This was ‘the’ shoe to have!
The Evo popularity has lead to a new shoe! The STINSON EVO TARMAC.
This new shoe has all the benefits of the ‘Evo’ but now has a sole designed for running on the roads. This is without doubt a road-racing shoe….
Runwildrunfree has been chosen to sell the limited edition colour-way, as shown at the top of this page.
Costs will be £135 per pair plus delivery and the shoe will be available on or around October 1st.
As a previous customer, you are being given the opportunity to pre order a pair of these shoes. As I said, the UK will only have 50 pairs available!!!
New sole designed for road racing
If you have purchased the Evo Trail and used it, you will understand the benefits of this addition to the Hoka One One range. It is a shoe that makes you want to run fast…. !!!
Add that level of comfort and feel and transfer it to the road and you will almost certainly have a shoe that WILL help you fly to a new PB over half, full or ultra marathon distance.
The shoe comes with two insoles, speed lacing and/or conventional laces and is available in this colour way only for limited customers.
When the shoe goes on ‘general sale’ it will be available in black/grey/white or grey/pink/white.
The limited edition shoe is only available in sizes UK7 to UK12.
If you would like to Pre order, please drop me an email at:
hokaoneone@me.com
Or phone me on +44 772 581 3457
I am offering all pre orders the option to either secure a pair of the limited edition shoe and pay a deposit of £50 for October delivery or if required you can pay for the Evo Tarmac over 5 months at £28 per month. The shoes will be delivered as soon as they arrive in the UK.
Here are the benefits of the shoe
Highly breathable, debris proof closed mesh
Speed lacing for on the go and adaptive fit
Lightweight tongue
Reinforced toecap
Flexible molded TPU
2×2 EVA volume
30% softer EVA
Control bucket seating
Sticky rubber outsole
40% wider footprint
Hoka One One 2012 s/s update
Wow – all my stock arrived last week while I was in Lanzarote. Over 40 pairs of bright Hoka One One supreme running shoes. With pre-orders and orders that arrived in early March, I now only have 5 pairs left! Yes, 5 pairs left. I am awaiting another delivery this week, but as I mentioned previously, Hoka One One stock is now very low throughout the shoe range. I will update the ‘Shop’ on my site with new colour ways and available sizes.
In brief the following are available in ‘selected’ sizes:
Bondi B – citrus/silver/grey UK7 through to UK12 – only 2 pairs of 12’s left
Bondi B – white/black/citrus UK7.5 to UK11.5 – and 2 pairs of UK12.5 – no 12’s left
Bondi B – anthracite/orange/white UK 7.5 to UK13 (no 12’s) Bondi B – ladies shoe UK5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8.5 but only 1 or 2 pairs in each size
Stinson B – blue/silver/orange UK7.5 to UK13 Stinson B – white/silver/citrus UK7.5 to UK12
Stinson B Evo – citrus/black/cyan UK5.5 to UK11.5
Stinson B Evo – anthracite/citrus/black UK8 to UK12.5 – no 11.5’s
Stinson B Evo – ladies UK5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5
Mafate 2 – citrus/anthracite/white UK8 to UK11.5
Mafate 2 – anthracite/white/orange UK7.5, no 8, 8.5 to UK11.5, no 12 and 1 pair of UK12.5
Hoka One One 2012 stock
Hoka One One stock is due to arrive between March 5th and 12th.
Despite stock not even being in the UK, I am already low on some models and sizes. To be honest, some shoes are sold out…. so, if you are looking for any of the 2012 shoes I strongly suggest you pre order before arrival in the UK.
The Stinson EVO in the ‘flag’ colour option was a limited edition anyway, but I now only have left one pair in each of the following sizes UK6.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 and 11.
I will be able to order the Stinson EVO in citrus/black/cyan from UK4.5 to UK11.5 (limited availability)
or I will be able to get anthracite/citrus/black in UK8 to UK13.5 (very limited stock).
Bondi B in the ‘flag’ is available, again very limited options and sizes. Other colour options are available in citrus/silver/black
and white/black/citrus.
Stinson B has good stock from UK7.5 but from UK4.5 to UK7 are sold out.
Please contact me directly at hokaoneone@me.com for stock updates and availability.
Talk Ultra
Talk Ultra
Episode 2 of Talk Ultra is now available via http://www.talkultra.com or from iTunes.
This is an action packed show and at 2hours 19mins will be perfect for your long runs. The show includes an interview with ultra legend Gordy Ainsleigh. Gordy is the creator of the iconic Western States 100 mile race and in out interview he tells us about what it was like to run the race in the early 70’s and how the race has progressed.
We also have a chat with Hal Koerner – Hal won the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race and we get his feedback on the race and his performance.
We have a Meltzer Moment with ‘Speedgoat’ Karl Meltzer. Karl also discusses his run at Rocky Raccoon and gives us his ‘Good, Bad & Ugly’ from the ultra world.
Phil Essam discusses the Tipton 100 in Ultralegends and in our 15 minutes of Fame we have Billy Isherwood. Billy took part in the Atacama Desert Race by racing the planet after a life of drug and alcohol abuse. It is an inspiring story and one that you can read about in his book Dead Man Running.
In addition to the above we bring you news and reviews from around the ultra world.
Episode 3 will be available on February 24th.
Hoka One One 2012 due to arrive March
HOKA ONE ONE
Introduction:
Hoka One One was the brainchild of Jean Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud. Both very experienced adventure racers and runners. Nicolas Mermoud has placed very highly at UTMB.
They set themselves an objective. To create a shoe that reduced fatigue, impact and muscle strain. Hoka One One was born.
Sponsored Athletes include: Dave Mackey (ultra runner of the year), Christophe Le Saux, Ludovic Pommeret, Maud Combarieu and Karl Meltzer (31 100 mile wins)
The Technology behind the shoe:
- The sole is oversized up to 2.5x a conventional run shoe and therefore offers outstanding impact resistance. It ensures a natural stride and IMPORTANTLY they only have 4mm drop from heel to toe. They are therefore very much inline with the barefoot philosophies of natural foot strike and mid to forefoot running. In addition, the shoe eradicates any harshness from the terrain, allowing you to ‘run over’ obstacles. A good analogy would be the difference between a no suspension mountain bike and one with full suspension.
- Within the shoe, your foot sits within a ‘bucket’ that is recessed into the sole. Not only does this offer a precision foot strike but it also offers great stability.
- Despite looks, the shoes are incredibly light. They defy gravity. The combination of lightweight and great cushioning reduce stress and fatigue. The shoe adapts and moulds to the terrain allowing you to ‘run through’ the most difficult terrain.
- A unique addition to the shoe is a ‘rolling’ sole. This helps deliver superior underfoot performance allowing your foot to ‘rock’ forward. Try them downhill…. You will fly! The rocker sole propels you forward.
- The increased footprint of some 35% bigger than a conventional road shoe offers increased stability. The wider base compensates for the height of the sole making every foot strike a confident one.
- Throughout the range of Hoka One One shoes, grip changes with each model. The Bondi B road shoe has less grip and traction to allow for speed, the Stinson B (was Combo XT) mixes between the Mafate trail shoe and Bondi B and provides a shoe that works well on either road or trail. The Mafate is designed for severe off road running and the newly modified Mafate 2 has a new upper and increased grip. The new shoe in the Hoka range is the Stinson Evo. This shoe has all the benefits of increased foot platform and cushioning but has been re-worked into a shoe that offers a race fit. It has a breathable upper, speed lacing, increased grip and reduced weight; it is an out and out race shoe!
Statistics:
- Less Impact – Increase contact with the ground by some 45% and less impact by 20-33%
- On the flat a reduction of energy consumption by -3 to 5% (oxygen+lactate blood measurement+running mechanical properties)
- Uphill -8 to 18% decreased energy consumption
- Downhill -15 to 20% reduced shock impact
- Conclusion – Better performance for less effort and increased protection
The Shoes:
Bondi B – Road shoe
Bondi B by Hoka One One 2012
Bondi B is a high performance road shoe suited to marathon runners, triathletes and ultra runners. Bondi B absorbs impact, shocks and reduces fatigue. It has 2x EVA volume and a 50% rocker profile. It has a 20mm recessed bucket situated within the midsole and provides support and control as and when required.
Stinson Evo – Trail
Stinson Evo/ Stinson B Evo by Hoka One One 2012
Stinson Evo is designed for absolute racing performance. It is the flagship of the Hoka One One 2012 range. It has a new outsole with EVA lugs to improve on weight. The surface profile has been altered to provide enhanced grip on mud and wet rocks. In addition, this grip provides superior uphill traction. The upper has been optimized to provide a precise racing fit with improved forefoot hold that balances weight and support. It has a quick lace system for rapid adjustment and the new upper has improved breathability. Revisions to the mid sole include a contoured sidewall which help reduce weight and it has a 25mm recessed midsole. The shoe has a 50% rocker profile, 2x2x EVA and recessed foot bucket.
Mafate 2 – Trail
Mafate 2 by Hoka One One
Mafate 2 is designed for tough terrain. It is designed around grip and support. The outsole has been overhauled over previous Mafate models and has a 4.5mm lug profile to offer superior grip. The upper has also been reworked to offer a precision fit and with a 30mm bucket within the midsole this provides a level of hold second to none. Lacing over previous models has also been adapted by adding an additional lacing loop allowing the runner to obtain a tighter fit if required. The shoe has 2.5xEVA and a 50% rocker profile. In addition, the Mafate 2 has a 35% wider foot platform over conventional trail shoes allowing you to ‘run through’ tough terrain.
Stinson B – Road & Trail
Stinson B by Hoka One One
The Stinson B, previously Combo XT (I am awaiting new imagery of the Stinson B, this is a 2011 model) is designed as a go anywhere shoe. It combines aspects of the Bondi B and Mafate. It has a 2.5x EVA and 50% rocker profile and has a tread pattern that is suitable for road and light trail. However, if the trail is hard, dry and rocky, this shoe realty does excel. It has a soft cushioned upper, a wider fit and it reinforces comfort without compromising support or stability. It has a 30mm recessed bucket and offers supreme protection.
In action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH91KFK7ABE
Stock & Ordering:
2012 stock is due to arrive March 5th to 12th and is available from www.hokaoneoneuk.co.uk
Analysis and Use:
Mafate by Hoka One One
First time impressions of the Hoka One One sometimes mean that potential users can’t get beyond the look of the shoe! Yes they are different and Hoka One One does not try to hide the fact. In fact, the contrary, they use strong bold colours that attract your eyes and your initial reaction on seeing them for the first time is ‘what the hell are they?’
Mafate Waterproof by Hoka One One
I had the same reaction. I saw them in a French Trail Race in 2010. A real tough mountainous event and in first place came through this lightweight athlete bouncing along and a pair of brightly coloured shoes. I took a second look…. and then a third and then a fourth look. I laughed to myself. But then I thought about it… hold on, this guy is in first place!
I stored the memory and then I saw them at another race, then I saw four or five pairs. I decided it was time to investigate and purchased a pair! Within 1 week I was sold… I was never going back!
Hoka One One at UTMB 2011
I started with the Bondi B. I purchased them on a Friday. Walked in them all day Saturday and then ran a road marathon on the Sunday. It was liberating! I bounced along with an effortless glide and energy return from a shoe that I hadn’t felt before. As the miles ticked by I noticed considerably less fatigue, a notable reduction in impact and the key factor was that I found that they made me want to mid/ forefoot strike. I would say the only noticeable change I made to my gait and stride was that I took shorter steps and increased my cadence.
Not long after I purchased the Mafate for trail running. Believe me, if you are running on rutted, hard and rocky terrain the Hoka One One are the full suspension mountain bike of the run world. What was obstacles became just glitches that I could run through the terrain without worry… downhill the shoes excelled taking away the harshness of the terrain and allowing a comfort level never experienced when running downhill before. At the end of a race or training, fatigue and ‘doms’ were reduced significantly allowing for faster recuperation and an ability to train at a higher level on repeated days.
Time to Fly - Hoka One One
Observers would look at the shoes and in this barefoot/minimalist market would laugh! However, they missed the point…. Hoka One One only has a 4mm drop from heel to toe making this a real mid to forefoot shoe. A low differential is key for enabling runners to land in a ‘natural’ way. The difference with Hoka One One is the cushioning. All other manufacturers obtain a low differential by reducing cushioning; not Hoka One One. They offer all the benefits of a minimalist approach but with superior cushioning and comfort. It has now been confirmed in many aspects of the natural run movement that Hoka One One are inline with the philosophies of a more natural run style.
So, back in the UK I wanted to purchase the shoes! Mmmm stumbling block. Due to the uniqueness of the shoe, obtaining and shoes in the UK was extremely limited. So, as the saying goes of ‘putting your money where your mouth is’ I did just that and I started to sell the shoe.
In the final 6 months of 2011 and certainly in early 2012 I have noticed an increased awareness and acceptance of what Hoka One One can offer.
All I can say is, if you don’t like the looks, get over it! Once you put them on and run in them, you won’t mind. They are an experience to behold…
Stinson B by Hoka One One
Time doesn’t stand still…
Well, the launch of Talk Ultra happened on Friday 27th Jan and one week later we have had over 5500 downloads.
Needless to say, both Ian and myself are completely blown away with the response.
This though is just the start. It has taken me months of work to get the show released, but now it is released we have to go through the process every two weeks.
Episode 1 had a few editing issues that I was aware of but we didnt have the software to solve them! Or should I say the combination of knowledge and software… To this end I spent 20 hours yesterday going through some new software and bringing my knowledge base to the correct level. My editing now has gone a little slower as it takes a while to get used to the shortcuts and to edit intuitively. The good news is though we have some significant sound improvements over episode 1.
Don’t get me wrong. Episode 1 was very satisfying but those little errors do irritate. I want the production levels to be the best!
This week we have topped the iTunes charts for sports and recreation podcasts and have had a top 10 placing in ALL podcast. Impressive and very satisfying.
Moving forward we have some great interviews coming up. Last night I interviewed David Horton, 1am for me – 8pm for him. Podcasting brings a whole new level of ‘endurance’ to ultra. Not only do I need to run long, I also seem to sleep less. C’est la vie… David Horton is a legend and his interview will be in episode 4.
In episode 2 we have the creator of Western States 100 miler, Gordy Ainsleigh. Gordy is a real character and has some great stories to tell. Boy can he talk….. 😉
Episode 3 will have New Zealand runner Anna Frost. Anna had a fantastic season in 2011 and over the winter months has been doing some really impressive challenges. Sponsored by Salomon, she is part of one of the top ultra teams. They have a very impressive line up in Sandes, Jornet and Heras amongst others.
Importantly, all our shows have Speedgoat Karl Meltzer doing a ‘Meltzer Moment’. Karl has won 31 100 mile races in his career and he is still at the top of his game. We have given Karl a free reign and in each show he will talk about the Good, Bad & Ugly of the ultra world.
Eventually, I will get to write up about some of my recent racing and training.
Look forward lot your feedback on Talk Ultra.
Keep running….. ian
iancorless.com 
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