Three Runners Explore Their Definitions of Speed in On Cloudboom Strike 2

Three runners detailed their experiences and training goals while racing in On’s Cloudboom Strike 2, exploring how different athletes define the concept of speed.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Speed is defined subjectively by runners based on pace progression, psychological confidence, or physical sensation rather than a universal metric.
• Footwear technology, specifically components like the CloudTec Sphere cushioning system and Helion HF hyper foam, impacts perceived effort and energy return during distance races.
• Runners competing through varied conditions, including high heat and recovering from prior injuries, adjusted race tactics from strict watch monitoring to perceived exertion.

Defining Speed Across Different Training Cycles and Distances

Running fast remains an inherently subjective metric, varying by training stage, injury recovery, and race distance. Brooklyn fashion designer Florence Canonoy measures speed by watching her per-mile pace drop month after month on her tracking app, saying that she often realizes she is running fast—such as hitting an 8:15 pace—simply by how good she feels. For Mollie Kaplan, a content creator from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, speed has no direct correlation to watch times. Kaplan states that she produces her fastest times when she feels confident, happy, and unburdened by pressure. Meanwhile, Chris Chung, an industrial designer and content creator from Jericho, New York, defines speed as a physical sensation experienced during interval workouts, describing the feeling of wind and floating.

Regardless of how these definitions vary, footwear plays a central role in race-day performance. Canonoy, Kaplan, and Chung tested On’s Cloudboom Strike 2 across three distinct events: a marathon in Chicago, a half marathon in Vancouver, and a 5K in New York City. The footwear features the CloudTec Sphere cushioning system alongside Helion HF hyper foam designed for energy return.

Chasing Personal Records in Challenging Weather Conditions

Kaplan entered the Chicago marathon aiming to set a personal record following her fastest marathon in New York City in 2024. A yellow weather warning and hot summer training conditions prompted a shift in strategy during the final two weeks before the race. Rather than focusing on split times, Kaplan elected to run by feel to avoid anxiety. Starting strong, she noted that the Cloudboom Strike 2 provided a forward propulsion effect without requiring excessive effort. Reaching mile 20 as a turning point, she maintained strong energy, ultimately finishing with a personal record that beat her previous mark by three minutes.

Chung faced a different obstacle in Vancouver, running his first half marathon since recovering from a femur stress fracture. Aiming to finish under 1:50 after a year without racing 13.1 miles, he accidentally started at a 6:20 per-mile pace before pulling back to an effort-based strategy. Chung observed that the Cloudboom Strike 2 maintained responsiveness despite slowing down, and praised the rocker design for avoiding excessive pressure on the toes while supporting cadence.

Canonoy utilized the 5K in New York City to push her limits while returning from a hip flexor injury.