Before I saw the error of my ways, I certainly would have said that despite your success with them, you should abandon the Hokas immediately and join me and the other groovy barefoot people. But now I just say–hey, great. Whatever works, man.

I overpronate as well and have found these have helped with that because of the wide base. I also got a pair of inserts Foot Levelers (they have these in the UK as well) and the combo of the Hoka with these have done the trick

Oh hey, that is a picture of me! I assume you saw it on my blog: http://recoveryourstride.blogs… or maybe just from the race photos. Thank- you for saying I am “talented” and for having an “impressive race history”. I have been at it a long time, but I am not sure I can remotely be called talented. I just like to run. Since it is pictured here, I will just update a bit on my use of Hokas. I did have arthroscopic hip surgery for a torn labrum 2 years ago. I got my first pair of Hokas right before the surgery thinking they might be a good choice post surgery for moving around. The first pair were too tight so I would get squished toes, but I like the rocker -rolling feeling once a started running post-surgery. My second pair were too big, but they were comfortable and I got up to a 71 mile week on the treadmill using them this winter. Once I got this blue pair (and off the treadmill) my running has gone downhill. I guess running on the treadmill is not good post hip surgery ( I am now told). I wasn’t using my glutes and stuff and relied on the treadmill to pull my leg through. That is beside the point. I basically have stopped running completely for now to try to calm down the muscles around my hips and I am working on some rather deep imbalances with a professional.

I got an ElliptiGO two weeks to deal with the lack of running 2 weeks ago and I am back in exercise heaven!! I had already signed up for this race so I ran it on extremely limited mileage two months prior. It was also the worst I have felt in a race in 40 years of running (conditioning wise and my hips did not have the range of motion I was used to-plus after 2 miles my glutes tied up and I had to limp for two days after the race). I ran in the Hokas as that had been the shoe I had been used to. I also see how ridiculously big they look in the photo, but have you seen an ElliptiGO, I don’t care how I look if it keeps me moving.

I am not sure if the Hokas or this pair in particular is good for me. I had some muscle testing done about 6 weeks ago and when the doctor tested my TFL after walking around in the Hokas, it completely turned the muscle back off after she had activated it. I don’t know how valid this observation was, but I am not sold right now that Hokas are the best shoe for me. I do think, from hearing other long time runners speak, that they have done a lot for many runners towards getting them back up and running and doing more mileage. It is not the cushioning that appeals to me and my foot does not agree with shape of the Hokas, but I did enjoy the rolling motion on many runs. That is why I was interested in the review of this pair of Hokas.

I was a minimalist long before “Born to Run”. I always liked training in race shoes rather than training shoes. I have done all sorts of form training, but just briefly, I was either “born” with some rather weird stuff on my left side or my muscles have developed compensations through the years that seem to confuse doctors and therapists alike. Doctors have said I have: functional hallux limitis, tibial torsion, inverted heel, femoral anteversion, and mild dysplasia all on that one left side. I don’t get how you can be born with all that just on one side, so who knows what is really going on or what triggers my form problems and compensations to keep running.

After 40 years, running is no longer fun. A shoe is not going to change that. “Running” on the ElliptiGO is helping me get back into shape and getting that running feeling back. I am hoping it also reeducates my muscles around my hip in how to balance weight and work together properly again, so I can get back to running. My legs actually look straighter in that photo than they did a few years ago when I was running 4-5 minutes faster on this course.

Hokas are great for running 5ks. I did all my 5Ks this past season in Hokas and I was rewarded with great times and quick recovery! I also find the Hokas to be fantastic for speed training.

Have you tried running in sand? Last summer I ran barefoot on a beach where the tide had only recently gone out and got to see my footprints in the slightly wet sand. What surprised my is how much deeper I sank under my big toe, clearly I was putting the most load there by a long way.

I mention this as it might be a good way to test out how you are loading your put and where you are putting the most loads. For your wife it could be that she’s overloading the forefoot. This might occur because of landing on the footfoot and thus pre-loading the foot and calves combination so that toe off is strong and again loads the toes too much. Or it could simply be just pushing off too actively.

I suspect habitual heel strikers probably push off more strongly than they need to once they stop heel striking. When mid-foot or forefoot striking one can rely more on elastic recoil so one in theory should need such an active push off.

The cue of lifting ones feet off the ground, and leaning from the ankles while being mechanically a bit nonescensical might help those who are prone to pushing off too strongly.

The suggestion of barefooting might actually be not that bad an idea, as it’s uncomfortable to land on the forefoot and push off strongly as the extra friction hurts. I find when I barefoot my cadence goes up and I don’t push off strongly, rather I automatically change everything to getting the foot back down on the ground.

Running too fast barefoot will however put huge loads on the forefoot and do lots of damage for anyone for an injury to the forefoot. Some short, ultra slow barefoot jogs might be something to add back in. They’d have to be done with a very specifc purpose in mind – that is working on keeping the ankles relaxed, the foot evenly loaded on landing right through to toe off. Running on wet sand would add in some visual feedback to the loading.

For longer, faster runs to keep fit or for racing one would need to stick to the Hoka or similar shoe till she’s healed up.

I must admit I’ve wondered about going for a cushioned shoe with a rocker to help out with the brusied bones in my forefoot, but everytime I look at HOKA or similar shoe I just get turned off. I just adore my modest shoes and love the feel of the ground beneath me. So for now, rather than resorting to a HOKA I’m resting.

Pete Bland sports in the UK had them. I got the last pair of 11.5 US they had. I guess they did not get many of either the Rapa Nui or the Kailua and I got the last pair of 11.5 in both.

Here’s my issue – the barefoot cures everything mentality can get way out of hand. Yes, form change to a more barefoot style can help in some situations. We originally tried it to deal with her hip issues, and it did seem to help there for a bit, but once she upped her mileage after a long, slow buildup she started having trouble again. Then she developed a foot issue. Running barefoot adds stress to the foot, doesn’t reduce it. Running barefoot does not make forces go away, it shifts them around, and the foot and ankle take more stress, knee and hip less. With a foot problem that we for a time thought might be a stress fracture (looks like it was a neuroma), the last thing I’d want to do is have her run barefoot. That’s where the Hokas came in, and they provided instant relief. It’s about knowing the problem and how form or footwear can be used to reduce tissue stress where there is a problem.
Sent from my iPad

Here is a picture of a man with a very impressive race history. He has been injured recently, and has turned to Hokas to keep running. In looking at this photo, it seems that there are some aspects of form that could be improved upon, and I’m not just talking about foot strike. I wonder how many other Hoka wearers are similar to this man–talented and robust, but finally at a point where it might be a good idea to slowly start rebuilding their running technique? It may be that many people are simply too impatient and unwilling to try the kind of “goofy” stuff that people like Ken Bob Saxton, Michael Sandler and Mark Cucuzzella talk about.

All I’m trying to say is maybe try taking your shoes off a little bit, and see if you notice anything different about your form. Be aware of posture and arm carriage and all that other good stuff. Maybe make sure you try that before spending a bunch on shoes. What the hell’s wrong with that!?