HOKA ONE ONE® | Running, Nutrition, and Running Fitness Blog

Running wild in one of the coolest jobs in sport

Ever wondered how you set up your own running company? Wonder no more. We spoke to Simon James, founder of adventure running firm, Run The Wild, about his running journey and how it has led to one of the coolest jobs in the sport.

From a young age, I’ve always felt a strong connection with running. I grew up on the south coast of Wales, exploring the cliff tops, running along beaches and the winding trails through sand dunes. That sense of complete freedom has stayed with me and I believe is at the very heart of what trail running is all about.

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I love nature and camping, and as a teenager had the chance to go on a six-week expedition to Alaska. It was tough. But from then on, I began to seek out challenges that although might not necessarily have any tangible value, do provide meaning and purpose, and continue to frame my life.

Life starts to take its toll

As many do, I found myself pursuing a career in London with long hours in an office. This included the inevitable toll it can take on your health. One day a client suggested that I should join him in a hiking challenge along the West Highland Way. Except it wasn’t a walk, my friend decided we would run it. The only thing was, the furthest I’d ever run before was eight miles. This was 54 miles!

But I did it, and something clicked inside me that day. It reawakened what I’d discovered in Alaska many years earlier. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Running all over the world

My running has taken me all over the world, even into the realms of mountaineering. I’ve climbed the high altitude peaks of the Americas and 8,000m peaks in the Himalayas. I think the message is common with runners about how running can change your perspective. I used to struggle with my weight and also depression, but running really was an antidote to those. It became very much part of my identity.

It was in 2013, as I descended from a last summit attempt from Manaslu, an 8,000 metre peak in Nepal, and in a rather hypoxic state that the vision of Run the Wild came to me. It was something different, something that encapsulated running with exploring and adventures in the wild. I wanted something that was a step away from racing and the crowds, that incorporated the feel of an expedition, and yet gave this sense of freedom.

Within a few weeks, Run the Wild became a reality and the concept of “Exploring places… not running races.” was born.

Best day job in the world

Through Run the Wild I have been privileged to facilitate some incredible running adventures for individuals and groups. I love working in the outdoors, sharing knowledge, encouraging and supporting others while teaching skills that I have learned on my own journey. The people, the experiences and the environment are incredibly rewarding. I feel very fortunate to have what I believe to be one of the best jobs in the world!

Running along balcony paths beneath sweeping glaciers, standing on the top of mountain passes above the clouds is a pretty cool place to call your office.

Photo credit: Simon James

Simon works full time in the outdoor industry, looking after the day-to-day operation of Run the Wild and working as a trail running guide. In summer, he is based in Saint Gervais, at the foot of Mont Blanc, and for the rest of the year in the Chiltern Hills in the UK. He also works with young people on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as an assessor and instructor. Simon works on charity-based projects in Tanzania as well as leading groups up Kilimanjaro. He is an International Mountain Leader, Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist as well as Leader in Running Fitness.

Antoine and Olivier united by shared ambition

Teamwork makes the dream work, as the saying goes. But what are the characteristics of a successful sporting partnership?

Friendship must be one. Trust another. Unity and compassion a couple more. Striving together towards a shared ambition certainly requires a special understanding.

For HOKA athletes Antoine Pérel and Olivier Lyoen, these characteristics form the backbone of their tandem triathlon ambitions.

The duo have made huge strides in the short time that they’ve been training and competing together, though their backgrounds could not be more different.

Following a different path

Once joking that “my longest distance is 100 metres”, Antoine Pérel has far exceeded that in recent years.

Always active in his youth, he used to dream of becoming a professional football player like his father. But this wasn’t to be Antoine’s sporting path.

Antoine was diagnosed with cone dystrophy at the age of 10. The condition is an inherited disorder of the eye and affects a person’s ability to see colour and fine detail. At first, Antoine didn’t realise he couldn’t see anymore like everybody else.

As his condition got worse, Antoine was forced to abandon his football dreams and stopped playing the game five years later.

Success in a new sport

Sporting ambition still burned inside. At the age of 16, undeterred by his failing sight, Antoine turned his attention to athletics – and with remarkable success.

For several years, Antoine was one of the best five long jumpers in his category in the world. He held the U23 age-group world record and was the French national champion for more than a decade from 2005 to 2016.

He reached the pinnacle of his career when he competed at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. But after the discipline he competed in was removed from the Paralympics schedule in Rio eight years later, Antoine turned his back on track and field.

This second twist of fate set Antoine’s sporting path in another new direction.

Waiting for the opportunity

For Olivier, his partnership with Antoine is an opportunity that has been a long time coming.

From 2002 to 2008, Olivier volunteered to act as a guide to visually-impaired athletes. However, he was never called into action.

Eight years later, after a professional career that spanned three appearances at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, the call finally came.

“I stopped triathlon in 2008 because my son was small and I wanted to dedicate more time to my family,” recalls Olivier.

“I did the same amount of running but it was only in 2015 that I decided to resume triathlon. I won my age category at the French Championships, qualified for IRONMAN Wales and competed at Xterra Malta.

“Guiding Antoine is much more rewarding than continuing to do triathlon alone. I achieved all the challenges that I set myself in this sport apart from taking part in the Olympics. The ambition now is to make it with Antoine.” Olivier Lyoen

“The next year, I spent a month living and training in Hawaii with my wife and children. It was after this that the call came.”

Coming together as one

While Olivier was living in the south Pacific, Antoine was taking the first steps in his triathlon career in northern France.

In a session run by the French Triathlon Federation designed to unearth promising talent, Antoine’s potential was there for all to see. The only sticking points? He had to find a tandem, a guide and learn how to swim.

Cue, Olivier.

“I train Antoine very seriously,” says Olivier.

“We found the budget to finance travel and equipment and started competing together in 2017. Before we knew it, we’d achieved two podium finishes in Paratriathlon World Cup events and won the Open World Championship in Rotterdam.

“Guiding Antoine is much more rewarding than continuing to do triathlon alone. I achieved all the challenges that I set myself in this sport apart from taking part in the Olympics. The ambition now is to make it with Antoine.”

United by shared ambition

The fledgling duo have made great progress over the last twelve months and are currently ranked 15^th in the world. Tokyo 2020 is not such a pipe dream.

Antoine will soon become a father for a second time. Despite their stretched financial resources, Antoine and Olivier have a dream to realise.

“We are united by this project to take part and win a medal at the Olympics, much like two brothers united by name.” Olivier Lyoen

“Our relationship is very strong,” asserts Olivier. “We are united by this project to take part and win a medal at the Olympics, much like two brothers united by name who carry a family project.

“We look out for and take care of each other because we are a team.”

Photo credit: Peignée Verticale

Record-breakers forge lasting friendship across ancient lake

Lake Baikal is widely considered one of the world’s oldest lakes. Situated in the mountainous Russian region of Siberia, where average winter temperatures reach an astonishingly cool -25C, the ancient lake is at least 1,600m deep and holds around 20% of all fresh water on the planet. The area of the lake is almost equal to that of the whole of Belgium. A successful crossing of this frozen river would undoubtedly be achievement enough.

Back in March this year, Rob Trigwell was part of a three-man expedition that broke the world speed record for an unsupported crossing of Siberia’s frozen Lake Baikal. The trio of British endurance athletes took on one of the world’s greatest challenges and came out on top. In some of the harshest, most extreme conditions you could wish to find, the team completed the 639-kilometre journey in 12 days, 21 hours and 13 minutes.

As the team step up their training for another assault on the record in 2019, Rob reflects on their remarkable feat and shares the story behind the challenge, the extreme conditions they faced and the friendships forged for life on the frozen ancient lake.

Planting the seed

I’ve had a love for the outdoors ever since I was young. Having been an active cross-country runner during my school days, I naturally transitioned into longer endurance events, primarily through running and triathlons. Unsurprisingly, my curiosity for cold weather environment expeditions grew and grew.

In 2012, while I was working in Libya as an aid worker, I heard about a cold-weather race in Siberia racing over Lake Baikal. I told myself I was going to do it, but as an aid worker working in the Middle East after the Arab Spring, I ended up moving from post-war Libya to Jordan, where the influx of refugees from Syria was becoming more and more. Training wasn’t possible as we worked non-stop to support the incoming refugees. The trip was put on hold, but the idea was set.

After a number of years working in Iraq (pictured above), South Sudan and Myanmar (Rob pictured below with David Milliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee), I took the plunge and signed up to an Arctic training programme in northern Sweden with Weatherised Training, led by Scott Gilmour. After a week of pulling pulks (an Arctic sled) through the mountains of Arctic Sweden and camping at -25°C, I knew I was hooked.

The following year, I went out for the same training week, where I shared a tent with Michael Stevenson. After the week, Scott and I took a longer trip along the mountainous Kungsleden winter trail. We were skiing 16 hours a day, through deep snow and tough terrain.

One night in the tent, we were talking about how we would fare if we did this approach somewhere flat. Baikal instantly sprang to mind. As soon as we got back, we got planning for Baikal 2018 and a possible record attempt.

Forging close friendships

Lake Baikal can be one of the windiest places in the world. The winter of 2018 also saw the largest amount of snowfall in over 50 years. Therefore, some days we faced extreme cold with heavy winds, others were tolerably warm. The expedition had an ebb and flow, very much dictated by the weather.

“Some days we faced extreme cold with heavy winds, others were tolerably warm. The expedition had an ebb and flow, very much dictated by the weather.” Rob Trigwell

Team work is everything in these challenges. It was a three-man team, with 4 pulks – the extra one carrying our tent, fuel and garbage. We took it in turns to carry the “plus 1” pulk on 2-hour rotations. On the flat, smooth ice, this was not too bad, but with the deep snow this became difficult and exhausting. It was always a relief once your turn was done.

Teamwork is also really important inside the tent. We took the cooking in turns on a daily rotations. This gave free nights to other team members to do some bandaging or gear fixes. The friendship of our team went a long way, and this really fuelled the drive and success of the expedition.

Preparing for success

I was working with the United Nations in Ethiopia in the build up to the expedition. I maintained a good level of cardiovascular fitness by getting out for runs in the morning before the Addis Ababa traffic got too bad. Runs after work, though, were a no-go because of the pollution in the city. My girlfriend and I signed up to circuit training courses in the city in the back of an expat’s garden, and worked on some core exercises.

“A large part of success on these type of expeditions is making sure you have the right gear, eat the right food and all the team know the goals.” Rob Trigwell

A large part of success on these type of expeditions is making sure you have the right gear, eat the right food and all the team know the goals. We had worked as a team and tested the gear the previous years in the Arctic, so we were feeling prepared.

I wore the HOKA Tor Ultra High with some Yaxtrax attached, which was perfect for these conditions. It provided great comfort from the iron-like ice when on your feet for 16-18 hours a day, and provided the necessary insulation from the cold.

Tackling the final stretch

In the final days of the expedition, we pushed ourselves to the limit and covered 135km in 36 hours, during which we slept for just two hours in our bivvy bags outside as setting up the tent would have taken too long.

“The friendship of our team went a long way, and this really fuelled the drive and success of the expedition.” Rob Trigwell

When we finally arrived at the pier at Nizhneangarsk, the recognised finished point, it was a tremendous feeling. I had completed something I had wanted to do for a number of years and spent the last two winters training for. Beating the record was a great bonus and another reason to celebrate with such good friends.

Rob, Michael and Scott are back in training and currently preparing for another record attempt in 2019. Follow their latest expedition on the Frozen Tracks website and Facebook page.

Photo credit: Scott Gilmour

HOKA ambassador Kilian dreams big and conquers Kona

Kilian Limmer achieved his dream and conquered IRONMAN Kona last month. But his journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. Read Kilian’s story below and find out why he proves that anything in life is possible if you dream big.

Saturday 23 June 2007. This day changed my life forever.

I am the guy in the middle of the front row in the image below. As you can see, my left eye is closed. What you can’t see is that my left orbital floor – or eye socket – is fractured and that I suffered a traumatic brain injury and concussion while playing football. I was hit by the elbow of an opponent.

After this accident, I wasn’t allowed to move my head too quickly. I was in the hospital for one week and had to use a wheelchair for the next two weeks. At home, I couldn’t read anything or watch TV because it was too exhausting for my eye and my brain. I wasn’t allowed to do any kind of sport for the next four months.

Dreaming big

I started to gain a lot of weight. As a motivation to start running and to lose weight again, I decided to register for the local 10k race in my hometown at the end of September 2009. I did about five training runs before the race and finished in a time of 54 minutes. Not so bad.

One month later, I watched IRONMAN Hawaii for the first time. I thought that the efforts of all the athletes were unreal and that this race was unattainable for me. But I started to dream of it. The race was in my head almost every day. No joke. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I registered for my first triathlon race in June 2011.

I watched IRONMAN Hawaii for the first time. I thought that the efforts of all the athletes were unreal and that this race was unattainable for me. But I started to dream of it. Kilian Limmer

But by the end of 2010, I learned that I had a congenital heart defect and needed to undergo heart surgery. My heart rate was going crazy high, up to 230 beats-per-minute, and not even during training, but during my lunch or homework. I had surgery in April 2011 and received the all-clear from the doctors to start training for my first triathlon race three months later.

Road to recovery

I finished third in my age category in my first triathlon. That was cool! It certainly gave me the motivation to carry on. I loved this feeling of suffering and getting rewarded for it. I did my first Olympic-distance race in 2012 and my first middle-distance race to next year. This was when I decided to stop playing football and to concentrate on triathlon.

I increased my training and gave it more structure. I was lucky to become a HOKA Flyer at the end of 2016, which was an extra boost as I felt a bit more professional. My journey with HOKA began and I am so thankful for that.

My next goal was to go ‘all-in’ for the Kona slot and so I registered for IRONMAN Austria 2017. The preparation went really well and I was feeling fit like never before. The race was good, I had good legs and the run of my life ,with a time of 3 hours and 9 minutes for the marathon. But that wasn’t enough. I finished second and missed the slot by about six minutes.

But the fire was still burning.

Completing the journey

I registered again the following year and this time, came out on top. I took the lead on the run with still 21 kilometres to go and pain in my entire body. I didn’t know if there was still a guy behind me. I focused on the nutrition and the technique and finally reached the finish line with the Kona slot in my pocket.

I was so overwhelmed by my emotions. I was sitting in the finish area and cried for about 15 minutes. My parents and friends were waiting for me and I was so happy to give them something back.

“Kona was really just the icing on the cake. I wanted to feel the mystery of the island. Because Kona was the place where the sport was born – and where my journey started. Kilian Limmer

After one month of recovery, I started training for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Training went really well. My goals were to finish the race in under 10 hours and to run the whole marathon without walking. I achieved both of these goals.

But the race was really just the icing on the cake. I wanted to feel the mystery of the island. Because Kona was the place where the sport was born – and where my journey started.

Kilian finished 15th in the 18-24 age category in Kona. Kilian raced in the HOKA Hupana Slip and is already looking forward to returning to the island and racing faster in 2019. Follow Kilian on Instagram.

Meeting the night head on at exclusive Fly at Night launch

For one night only, HOKA ONE ONE took over the premium KXU Gym in the heart of west London for an exclusive event to celebrate the launch of the new Fly at Night Collection.

The night started with HOKA co-founder Nico Mermoud sharing the story behind the brand. From the over-sized prototype built to help people run faster on the mountains to the stylish and responsive Fly at Night Collection fit for the road, gym and everywhere in between. It’s been quite an evolution.

HOKA athletes Jenny Nesbitt and Adam Hickey were on hand to share some insight into the life of a HOKA elite athlete. They also told us what flying in HOKA means to them and explained more about the unique features of the Fly at Night Collection.

Jenny, who runs 90 miles a week, every day of the week, often twice a day, says: “When I first saw the HOKA shoe, I thought, ‘Wow that’s a big shoe!’ Only when I held the shoe and put it on did I discover how lightweight it was. The Fly at Night Cavu offers me the sort of support and responsiveness I didn’t feel I was getting with other brands. It also looks super cool.”

Adam, English national cross country champion and father of two, says: “I’m a firefighter as well as a HOKA athlete, so often do twelve-hour shifts before I even get to go running. My legs are exhausted before I get started! The Fly at Night Mach has the perfect level of cushioning and lightness – and has certainly helped keep me running consistently.”

Specially designed for running at night, the Fly at Night Mach features black reflective logos, a reflective heel tab on the lightweight upper, and a reflective midsole. It is a versatile running shoe with a bold, black as night look designed to help you meet the night head on.

Made for those who run but don’t just run, the Fly at Night Cavu isn’t just built for the outdoors – as the evening’s HIIT and Run sessions proved. The Cavu features our much lauded “intelligent” PROFLY cushioning. Softer in the heel for shock absorption and firmer in the forefoot for propulsion and energy return – the perfect ammunition for a workout that involved dumbbells as much as it did treadmills.

Everybody was put through their paces as they got the chance to put the Fly at Night Collection to the test. The results?

Kieran, freelance writer and HOKA convert, says: “It was fantastic to be among the first to put the new Fly at Night series to the test at probably the swankiest gym I’ve ever been to. But once we hit the floor and the treadmills for the HIIT & Run sessions, it was more sweat than glamour. With a mix of strength and condition and hill sprints, it really gave us and the shoes a thorough workout!”

Isaac, exhausted journalist and HOKA fan, says: “I thoroughly enjoyed putting the Mach and Cavu Fly at Night through their paces. Both shoes are impressively lightweight, but manage to combine that with HOKA’s trademark cushioning, which makes for a winning formula. The class itself was great, in the sense that it was absolutely knackering!”

Find out more about the Fly at Night Collection