The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.

Since mid November, I’ve been running in my beloved hot pink Mizuno Wave Rider 16s which I’ve absolutely loved. In fact, before discovering these shoes I had never found a lighter weight shoe that also provided me the support I needed. In fact, they even protected my feet as I scaled, hiked and ran up the Saleve in February during my Geneva visit.

When I had the opportunity, through my partnership with Fitfluential, to try the new Mizuno Wave Sayonara, I was ecstatic.

A new shoe in the Mizuno line up, the Sayonara replaces both the Mizuno Wave Precision and the Wave Elixir as it marries the best features of both into one super light weight shoe! Here are the stats for your reference:

• 7.1 oz weight
• Heal to toe drop of 10mm
• Performance neautral
• $119.99

I’ve worn these shoes for multiple different workouts over the past few weeks including a long run along the Hudson with friends, a few shorter runs in Central Park, Barry’s Bootcamp classes, an Uplift Strength class, and finally today along the Highline and Hudson River.

The verdict is that I am truly a fan of the Wave Sayonara. The love didn’t begin immediately though. My first run in them was a Central Park 6 mile loop and my legs were a bit sore afterwards. However, after a few runs today they felt wonderful! I think the key to these shoes is gradually increasing the mileage since they fit differently than my other running shoes and they have a bit more drop. But, give them a week and you’ll love how responsive they are and how light and stable you feel in both running and bootcamp class alike!

If you’re looking to try a new pair of shoes I couldn’t recommend these enough! Head to your local running store or Mizuno Running Store to order a pair! Your running will thank you! How can you not feel speedy in such bright, light shoes?

So, since these Mizuno Wave Sayonaras are heading to Geneva with me and will quickly get used to running hills, I figured sharing a hill workout with you all is quite fitting! Hill training isn’t always fun but it definitely makes you strong and you notice results within just a few workouts! This one is short enough that you can do it even if you’re just starting out with hill training and since it is geared towards a treadmill, you can do it either at your gym or on the road at a hotel gym!

Hill workouts – love them or hate them?