Hollie Sick

I was excited to try the Hoka Mach 6. I'm so old I remember the original Mach and Cavu (RIP Cavu, it was so good). Anyway, the Mach has lived on. This latest version of the Mach series introduces several updates, including the most obvious: the visual. I was somewhat concerned because the Mach has received a huge visual update, and I wondered if Hoka had messed it up....

I haven't run the Carlsbad 5000 in two years. When I ran in 2021, I had just recovered from a serious case of the flu less than a month before. That might not seem like a huge deal, but because my case was more severe, it took me almost eight months to fully recover. Needless to say, my race two years ago went terribly....

I was excited to try the Root'd Her Multi supplement. It's not just any supplement; it's a drink mix, which sets it apart from most already. What makes Root'd even more unique is its availability in versions tailored for men, women, and even a prenatal option, recognizing the differing nutritional needs between each. This includes an increased need for iron among women....

How I feel about 800s. How I felt with a 40 foot hill at mile 2 of the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday. How I feel about this week in general. #howisitonlytuesday Anyway 6x800s followed by 4x200s at the track today. Goal for 800s was between 3:05-3:10 and I was there for each of them. Goal for 200s was faster and I ran them each around 5:25 pace. Good workout, although 800s are still my least favorite track workout. 🤣 got to do the things you don’t like to get better. At least I told myself that this morning.

I was excited to try Icon Meals and change up my usual meal delivery service. As someone who works full time, I appreciate meal delivery services. My favorite meal delivery services are precooked so you just have to pop them in the microwave or oven and cook. I was excited to try ICON Meals and see how they compared to other meal delivery services....

Carlsbad 5000 20:42 Goal was between 20:30-21. That course was HARD! The hill at mile 2 had me wheezing. But I am proud of this. Last time I ran this race it was an easier course but I was a month out from having the flu and I had one of the worst races. So goal was to run faster than that (21:42) and I did on a harder course. Good base for running under 20 this summer again. Plus after some miserable running conditions in the high desert, the calm perfect weather was welcome 🤗 #carlsbad5000 #carlsbad

Carlsbad 5000 lg I ran this two years ago. I ran it too soon after recovering from the flu and it did not go well. lol the dry heaving at halfway still haunts me. So anyway, the bar is low for a good race here 😂 #carlsbad5000

I was excited to try the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2. In the world of super shoes, where advancements in foam types and stack heights occur every year, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 emerges as better than ever. Following the path of the Rebellion Pro, the Rebellion Pro 2 introduces new geometries that reduce weight, facilitate a forward roll but also keep the shoe legal....

March training was as good as it could be. After getting COVID in February, March felt like I was building back from that, hoping that I would feel better the next day...and the next...and the next. Even 5 weeks later, I don't feel 100%....

This blog shares Los Angeles Marathon tips and tricks. If you have wanted to run the LA Marathon and are considering it, read this to make your final decision. Before running the Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS, I had a few questions: Is there a marathon in Los Angeles? Yes, it's usually around St. Patrick's Day. How many people run the Los Angeles Marathon?...

The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris has received a HUGE update this year. For the past couple of years, the Metaspeed Sky has been the frontrunner of ASICS carbon-plated footwear. This year, the Metaspeed Sky and Edge Paris are now one of the lightest super shoes available. they've both become fast, and I mean fast fast. I need to fully try the Metaspeed Sky Paris before finishing up a shoe review there....

I love the Los Angeles Marathon. You can't beat the crowds and the cheers. But it's not an easy marathon. With 900+ feet of elevation gain, plus the potential to be hot and sunny, it doesn't make for "fast" times. Can you run fast at the Los Angeles Marathon? Of course, you can run fast anywhere. My story with the Los Angeles Marathon starts back in October....

Los Angeles Marathon Presented by ASICS recap part 3/? Miles 13.6-19 were the hardest for me. And luckily I have the least amount of photos from this section. 🤣👀 Typically, that comes after mile 20, but these miles were by far the hardest, and I truly wondered if I would be finishing the marathon. After seeing friends at the halfway point, I felt like I had “nothing to look forward to” except the end. I knew miles 19-26.2 would have roaring crowds, but it was quieter along these next few miles. Quieter doesn’t mean empty, because it definitely was not, but just quieter. I took another @genucan at mile 14 and another at 17. The gels weren’t a problem, and they were going down ideally. This segment is also when many people in the open corral running below 3 hours started passing me. I saw @smalls26.2 leading the 2:55 pace group among other fast runners. I mentioned this earlier, but when the elite men passed me, they gave me plenty of space on the road. The streets of Los Angeles are wide, and it’s not like there are a lot of people to weave around. When (some, not all) men running between 2:50-3:15 passed me, many would pass me as if it didn’t count unless they could get close enough to elbow me. Why? It’s not like they could draft off me. It was a weird and somewhat annoying experience. The steep downhill of mile 15 was welcome, but I was so disconnected that even dropping 150+ feet, I “only ran” a 7:36. It should have been my fastest mile. TMI, after that, I realized I kind of had to pee. I am an overhydrator, and in most marathons, I’ve needed a pee break. It took me 2+ miles to find a bathroom. When I finally stopped just after mile 18, it was probably my slowest race bathroom stop. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion, and it was my slowest mile of the race (8:20). After that, I actually did feel a lot better, and I headed into the final stretch of the Los Angeles Marathon, the out and back to the finish.

The NORTIV Nimbus shoe is designed for athleisure, making it a great option for the gym or when on the go. However, for running, you might prefer something with a bit more cushion or support. I was excited to try the NORTIV Nimbus, as it is touted to feel like clouds under your feet—a sensation everyone would enjoy. I have reviewed several NORTIV products in the past and have been a big fan of them, including:...

I was shocked at how challenging the LA Big 5K course is. If you are looking for a flat, fast 5K course, this isn't it. If you are looking for a challenging 5K with 8,000 people, it's an awesome option. I opted to run the LA Big 5K as an easy shakeout run before the Los Angeles Marathon the next day....