When you go through total knee replacement surgery, walking down the block feels like a marathon. Every step matters. Every mile is a milestone. So when I started planning my comeback, I knew my shoes would make or break the whole journey. I reached out to HOKA and asked if...
What to Look for If Shoes Alone Aren’t Fixing Your Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Every runner and triathlete dealing with plantar fasciitis eventually lands on the same advice: get a better shoe. Firm heel counter, stiff sole, real arch support. That advice is sound, and for some people it is enough. But look closely at most plantar fasciitis shoe recommendations, and you will notice...
My First Look at the Xero Shoes Women’s Mesa Summit
A few years back, I met the founder of Xero Shoes at an event, and we hit it off right away. He was passionate about footwear that works with your feet, not against them. Soon after, he sent me a pair to try, and I was hooked on the whole...
From Supercars to Super-Materials: The Carbitex Story
What do Swedish supercars, high-performance running shoes, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu have in common? They are all part of the incredible journey of Carbitex's founder, a company redefining what’s possible with carbon fiber. In a recent episode of the Hilary Topper on Air podcast, I had a fascinating conversation with the...
Lems ZenSpeed Review: My Weeks in the + and Lite
I own a lot of running shoes. But when both the Lems ZenSpeed+ and the ZenSpeed Lite showed up at my door, I felt something I hadn't felt in a while: pure excitement to lace up again. Here's the honest backstory. I've spent the last stretch recovering from a total...
Do You Bonk on the Run?
If you bonk on the run as a stand-alone or off the bike, then you won't want to miss today's podcast. (more…)
Do Runners Need Protein? A Guide for Endurance Athletes
Most people associate protein with gym buffs and bodybuilders who want to maximize their gains. On the other side of the coin are carbohydrates, often the macro of choice for endurance athletes like runners who need easily accessible fuel for prolonged activity. While that's not technically wrong, the reality isn't...
What is RaceX and How Can It Benefit You?
Welcome to Hilary Topper on Air, the show where we dive into the stories and innovations shaping the worlds of endurance sports, law, and literature. I’m your host, Hilary Topper, and today we’re focusing on the cutting-edge tools that are transforming how athletes train and race. In this episode, we're...
Why I’m Already in Love With the Deuter Women’s Traick 9 SL
I'll be honest with you. Right now, I can't run. My knee has other plans, but I'm hoping that in the near future, I'll be back at it. But here's the thing about recovery: it gives you something to look forward to. And lately, I've been planning. Dreaming, really. I...
CEP and Global Running Day
When the box from CEP landed on my doorstep for Global Running Day, I felt like a kid on a birthday morning. Inside was a complete running kit: a breezy short-sleeve shirt, a pair of loose-fit shorts, and the brand-new Pro Run Optaspeed BowTech shoes. Here's the twist, though. I'm...