The Most Expensive Running Shoes ($500)

Goodmorning awesome Runner! ☕️ Matteo Here!

Welcome to the The Running Week!

In today’s email:

1. The Most Expensive Running Shoes

2. How to Prevent A Heat Stroke When Running in the Summer

3. My Last Race Recap – New PB?! 🏁

4. Road to Sub 1h20 Update.

Let's dive right in!

The Most Expensive Running Shoes

After publishing last Monday's newsletter where I talked about the "Most Expensive Running Shoes" I received hundreds of emails in response from Runners from all over the world who wanted to know the name of the shoes...

🥁🥁🥁 Drum roll…

Here’s The Most Expensive Running Shoes:

As you can see from Li-Ning's official website these running shoes to date are sold at a price of $500:

My First Thoughts

With these shoes I ran ~60km, when I laced it up and walked in it for the first time, I could feel the new, more aggressive toe spring, it felt like I was stepping off a ledge, and the shoe was tilting me forward!

This sensation was not present in any shoe I have tried before! And honestly i really like it.

My first run was an speed workout (18km ON/OFF), here you can find my workout on Strava.

The first thing that I noticed was how much softer and bouncy the forefoot felt due to the extra cushioning and thanks the full-length dual arc carbon plate and bionic plantar technology (Li-Ning's proprietary technology).

This shoe is a mix between Nike Alpha Fly 2 & Adidas Prime X, and for the moment I really like them…

But are they really worth 500$?

Hmmm…

They are racing shoes, lightweight, and with cutting-edge technology, but I wouldn't pay more than $300 for them.

I'm curious to see how long these shoes last and how they perform over long distances. I'll keep you up-to-date!

How to Prevent A Heat Stroke When Running in the Summer

Summer is a great time for running.

It’s the ideal opportunity to shed winter’s layers and hit the outdoors.

But when the temperature rises, running becomes a huge physical undertaking, and intense running can be quite dangerous.

But first things first, what is heat stroke and why it occurs?

Heatstroke, the most dangerous form of heat-induced illness, occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system is compromised by excessive heat.

During the condition, body temperatures increase above its normal range, which is a degree or two of 98° F or 37° C.

Signs include nausea, confusion, seizures, disorientation, and often a loss of consciousness or coma.

How To Prevent Heat Stroke When Running

When it comes to managing and dealing with heat-related issues in runners, prevention is the best course of action.

After all, prevention is better than cure.

Here are the measures you need to protect yourself from heatstroke when running in the heat:

1. Stay Well Hydrated

• Drink plenty of liquids before, during, and after your runs.

• Top off your hydration stores with 8 to 12 ounces of water before your run.

• Drink small sips during running roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, especially when running long in the heat.

• Toss in four to six ounces of water about every 15 to 20 minutes while running, then keep drinking fluids until your urine is clear.

• Weigh yourself before after your workouts. Shoot for 16 ounces of fluid for every pound of weight lost.

2. Dress Right

When the mercury rises, you need workout clothes that can keep you fresh, dry, and comfortable.

Go for high-performance fabrics that will wick the moisture and sweat away from your body.

High-performance fabrics have tiny channels that wick moisture away from your skin to the outer layer of the clothing, where it can evaporate faster.

Some of the best fabrics include Drymax, Coloma, Smartwool, polypropylene, and other high-performance athletic fibers.

3. Be patient

In order to prevent exertional heat stroke, it’s key to gradually acclimate yourself to running in hot weather.

It takes roughly two weeks for your body to adapt to the heat.

This is what’s known as heat acclimatization, and it consists of a series of physical adaptations that help your body better manage heat stress, cooling itself more efficiently in the process.

During that period, your working heart rate decreases, your core body temperatures lower, and sweat rate increases.

Instead of pushing the pace, scale down your running distance or intensity for the first few weeks.

My Last Race Recap – New PB?! 🏁

As I told you in the last mail, I had signed up for a half marathon to test my fitness.

For this race, I decided not to look at the Garmin stats and set the screen with just the timer so as not to be affected by all the data (pace per kilometer, heart rate...)

I felt good and started out way too strong, the first few kilometers I did at ~3:30min/km – I wasn't interested in doing this race with a strategy, I just wanted to test my limits to see where I am in my preparation for the sub 1h:20.

After the first few kilometers I slowed down the pace and after the 10th kilometer I was left alone so I decided not to push hard but finish the race keeping the pace of ~4min/km.

A beautiful course, amazing support and a chance to dig deep and test my physical strength. I’m really happy with the way I kept digging deep despite being a lonely race for much of it.

I finished the race in 01:23:30 – Sooo… New PB baby!!

Plus I ran the 5km in: 17:50” and 10km in 37:01” and both are new PB for me!

Currently PB (update):

• 5km (3.1Miles) → 18:30” - 17:50”

• 10km (6.2Miles) → 37:50” - 37:01”

• 21.1km (13.1Miles) → 01:24:14 - 01:23:30

I finished the race in 12th place overall & 4th category but…

Something happened that should never happen.

About halfway through the race 2 guys passed me taking a shortcut:

Such a thing had never happened to me and it left me speechless (as well as disgusted by this behavior) - I just sent an email to the race organization with all the evidence that these runners took a shortcut.

I will keep you updated on the development of this situation, I expect at least an apology.

Anyway, I'm happy with my new personal bests, I feel good, the preparation is going well, and I'm pretty sure that this winter I'll be able to go sub 1h:20!

Road to Sub 1h20 update.

Last week's training block was ~58km (race week):

1. Monday: 30’ Easy

2. Tuesday: Rest

3. Wednesday: 40’ Easy + 4×800m (3:30min/km)

4. Thursday: 50’ Easy

5. Friday: 30’ Easy + strides

6. Saturday: Race (Half Marathon)

7. Sunday: Rest

I just signed up for a 10K race on June 25th (not sure if I will participate yet) and it will be another good test of my fitness – after that race, in July i will move to Spain (Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias - Anyone there?) but we will talk about this in the next emails…

Just for Laughs 😂

That’s all for this week’s edition of the newsletter!

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See you again next Monday!

I’m incredibly grateful for this little newsletter and community of The Running Week. Thank you.

PS. Let's connect on Strava, here’s my profile!

Matteo, your new running friend.