I really do feel that Hoka shoes help a lot of issues- especially with older runners. Everyone I’ve referred has loved them. They are really good for plantar fasciitis. I love my Hokas, but also rotate with some other brands. I have shoes I like for the treadmill (lower profile than Hoka), shoes for faster running, shoes for longer runs (usually Hoka) and shoes because they are cute! I have a pair of Topo that I really like, too
The Hoka Clifton model does not feel as squishy, but still has lots of cushion.
I think my sugar consumption consists of a tsp of jam or honey 6 days a week and a tablespoon of Maple syrup on the 7th day. My food tracker doesn’t pull out sugars, at least the free version doesn’t.
Recently, one of the 25-ish year old male weightlifters in the gym took up running. He experienced some pain in his shins. I suggested he go into a runner’s store and get fitted for the proper shoe for his running style and feet. But I also suggested Hoka’s Clifton model, which is the model I tried a couple years ago. They seemed to be the rage a couple years ago. Maybe they still are.
The Clifton model is what I tried a couple years ago, but felt unconnected to the street. I have running shoes for street, train, mud, gym-only, etc. but my favorite is a minimalist shoe from Topo, the ST-3.
I am only suggesting the Hoka for those here who may be experiencing some pain or discomfort when running, because of their reputation.
I also don’t consider myself a runner. I run, but I’m not a runner.
I think @MomofWildChild missed her calling as a running shoe reviewer! Maybe in her next career she’ll become a running shoe influencer. Maybe she already is.
I really wanted these https://www.hokaoneone.com/hoka-xxterra-torrent/hoka-x-xterra-torrent/1110019.html for trail hiking but they sold out in my size. I’ve always worn Brooks for trail runners but I loved the look of the Hoka. I would have worn it even as a “normal “ shoe.
I jog/ exercise in the Hoka Clifton. I tried another style and they bothered my hips. I agree about @MomofWildChild and running shoes. Several years back I recommended the Hoka Arahi to my younger D based on one of her shoe posts.
@momofsenior1 I haven’t tried the Hoka trail shoe or hiking shoe yet. I wear the Brooks Pure Grit which I like for hiking but find it uncomfortable in the car driving and they cause my foot to cramp. If it’s a long drive to the trail I have to take my shoes off, I’m ready to replace them and I tried on the Hoka torrent and liked the fit but haven’t bought it yet. I just don’t care for any of the colors they have right now and I don’t have any hikes planned in the near future.
I wore Brooks Ghost for years. I switched to the Hoka Clifton and I find it fits me better in the heel. I like a really wide toe box. I tried the Hoka Stinson and found I didn’t feel stable in them.
Also 100% disclosure- I have a family member who works for a sister brand of Hoka. I get a great friends and family discount. It makes the price hard to beat.
@deb922 My daughter calls me the Shoe Whisperer. I used to wear test for Brooks (I’m still on their list but haven’t been given any shoes lately). I like the Ghost 12 and my Christmas version (ugly sweater print) Levitates. Hoka is a different type of shoe and I would really recommend it. It takes a brief period of adjustment since it is a thick sole. @sushiritto I think the newer versions of the Clifton are better. Hoka also has some lower profile models now. I also have one pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon 2 which are lighter and lower profile that I’m liking. I have Topo Ultrafly 2 which I like, Altra Torin 4 Plush (Hoka-ish with the cushioning) and a couple others I’m trying out. Yes, I have a shoe problem. But I run every day and often do a shorter 2nd run, so I get to wear the things. I also do a thing where I drag my left forefoot so I tend to wear them out fairly quickly. I use Shoe Goo to beef up that wear spot. Part of why I haven’t retired from my job yet is so I can keep buying shoes.
I’m the opposite of @MomofWildChild. I stick to one model of shoe until it’s discontinued or I get mad at them for something. Asics Gel Lytes for 13 years. Mizuno Wave Precision/Rider the next 16 or so. Now I’m moving into Brooks Ghost.
But a few years ago I tried a pair of Hokas because I felt beat up. I wanted to like them. I really did. But they did not work for me at all. They literally wore two holes on the top of each foot. And when I ran the bottoms of my feet felt like they were on fire. I tried all kinds of lacing combos and even cut them and duct taped where they were wearing. No dice. I was impressed that the running store took them back in that condition saying Hoka would take them back no matter what.
I’m really not that familiar with Hokas. The women I run with seem to be very into Brooks, it frequently happen that several of us will be wearing the same Brooks shoes.
I like Brooks for the support they provide, but they are heavy and sometimes I would like to try a lighter shoe. I’ll be looking for a new pair soon so…we’ll see.
It’s actually a good idea to wear a couple of different models of shoes just to keep from stressing the same bones and muscles. Every shoe is a little different. The Saucony Kinvara is a lighter but decently cushioned shoe.
Beware of sugars in food. I had been using various breakfast bars and nut bars for snack, but after a high-ish A1C reading at last physical I cut back on them (and honey too). Before that I had mostly been tracking calories, calcium, protein.
No granola or bars of any kind here. I weaned myself off that stuff. We used to have lots of cereals around the house. Can’t recall when it was the last time I bought any cereal (I do keep Coach’s Oats oatmeal and Kodiak Cakes pancake mix in my pantry, so no war in carbs here, just avoidance of empty carbs).
Sodas. Back in the day, baby kid told us in no uncertain terms that sodas needed to be banned in our house. The college sports nutritionist who came to talk to her club team made quite an impression. Lol.
We’ve never had much soda around here, except once in a while with takeout pizza. (Admittedly our empty nest vice is wine, which I do in much smaller dose now). There was a time where I took diet pepsi in my sack lunch, but yikes… that’s bad stuff too.
Might not be as contaminated as a bus, train, or airplane, since a sick person is probably less likely to go to the gym than ride a bus, train, or airplane.
Today, after we took the folks to dinner and took dad back to the CCRC to sleep, we went to mom to the lovely, deserted gym. We had her use the bicycle for 20 minutes and the vibrating machine for 15 (supposed to help with balance and lymph system stimulation.
While she was doing that, I did a circuit of all the fancy exercise equipment, doing 3-5 reps with each, finishing by cycling for 10 minutes. I think I stayed in the sweet spot of pushing up near my limit with the earlier 16 minute rowing session without tipping myself over so I will be in pain and not be able to exercise tomorrow.
I’m trying to get her to use the facility’s gym, since it’s so convenient. She probably will never do it unless I or another family member goes and works out with her. At least we had the whole place to ourselves.
Part of my health club cost justification is the whirlpool/steam/sauna. Probably adds close to a 1/2 hour of time at the club. Has anyone seen any studies that show REAL health benefits of using them.? I limit myself to 5 minutes of steam and 10 minutes of sauna. I can lose 1-2 pounds of water weight so it’s one of the reasons I’ve cut back the total time spent in the sauna. My only slightly bad health numbers are creantine and other renal related. My doc doesn’t like me staying in too long.
I always figure those credit card machines where you sign with the pen have to be nasty re: germs. That and shopping carts. Sometimes I spread hand sanitizer on the cart, but usually I’m just lazy and hope for the best.
I was hoping for a little better run today, but the glutes were still a bit dead. It was a run/stairmonster (my term for the revolving staircase machine) combo. 40 min run with 2 long intervals and then 30 min of shorter intervals on the stairmonster. The run was slow, but the stairs were surprisingly strong. Then I did an upper body video workout and core.
And I always wipe down the gym equipment after I use it. I’m the one who makes puddles everywhere. I spend several minutes with the cleaner and 2 things of paper towels trying to get every crevice for the next person. I wouldn’t want to be on it after me.
