I have been running all my life, I''m 44 years old but started serious running in 2009.Depending on the race I''m training for I run anywhere from 40 100 miles a week.I run at least two speed workouts a week, 10 mile tempos (1:01 1:04) depending on how I feel, I have broken the hour mark a few times and interval sprints of .25 to .50 miles x 10 with .25 mile jogs in between. I also do a long run in the mountains alternating between 12 20 mile runs each week and on my off days run an easy 8-10 miles to keep loose.I love to run, and I love my running gear.On my crazy weeks leading up to a big race like Boston, I''m running almost 20 miles a day, so my relationship with my shoes is very important to me.Sorry for the training schedule but I wanted you to know where I''m coming from, so you can evaluate whether or not my opinion matters to you.
Ok, now down to these shoes.I run on all kinds of shoes, trying to find a good lightweight shoe that supported my feet but didn''t weigh me down.I love the Sketcher GoRuns, at 7.6 ounces for an 11.5 they are super light.They can handle the marathon distances, no problem, but you do have to know how to run.For any of you heal strikers out there, this may not be your shoe, until you first learn how to run.I recommend reviewing the "pose running method" videos on YouTube by Dr. Nicholas Romanov, do the drills, also get a slow motion video made of your running from the side angle and behind you, and train out all your running flaws so you are an efficient runner, this will be very beneficial.Also, try running on a treadmill in front of a mirror to help you keep tabs on your form.These shoes can help you in the process as they encourage good running form. Ryan Hall and Meb Keflezighi have great running form, check them out and mimic their technique.
When you first put these shoes on you will notice that your heals don''t touch the ground.You will also notice they are sock like, very soft and comfortable.You will feel the ground under the balls of your feet but the center of the foot there is great protection from small rocks, etc.There is also great ventilation in the uppers of the shoe.You don''t have to break-in these shoes, they are race ready out of the box!
Let''s talk about the cost, I''ve run on many $125+ shoes and I''ve not found the cost of the shoe to be commensurate with the performance or comfort of the shoe.I''ve also looked at some shoes from New Balance for over $250, and at that price, they better run the race for me!What the heck!Some of the different color options in the GoRuns can run as low as $50 when you catch a deal and you can get $65 options all day long and at most $85 for the popular colors.
If your on the fence about these, as I was, buy the $65 GoRuns and try them out in conjunction with some technique corrective training you can find online and see if you don''t improve your speed, run with less pain in your knees and lower back, it should disappear if you are doing it right, and see if you don''t start saving a bunch of money on your running shoes.Since I replace my shoes every 400-600 miles, every couple months, I''ve been saving a lot of money with Sketchers.Who knew that I''d be running on Sketchers, Sketchers!They really surprised me.I don''t run on any other shoes now, I have finally found my perfect shoe.I''ve been running on them since Dec. 2011 and I love them.
Run On!
I had previously posted a very favorable review after a couple of 11 mile runs.Now that I had a chance to put more mileage on these, I have to retract some of it.
It''s not like this is a bad shoe, but it''s just not for everyone.It is a very comfortable, fast shoe that encourages a proper mid-foot landing.But Runner''s World magazine reviews it as a "training shoe" and at first I thought they were crazy, but they may be right.Because after several longer runs (8+ miles) I started to feel a stress fracture in a metatarsal in my right foot.
If it sounds crazy that I could feel this, rest assured I felt it before when I broke a bone in the same foot last summer while running in Vibram Five Fingers.So I backed off this time, iced and compressed the foot for a week until symptom free.Then I put on the Go Runs again and within 10 steps felt the pressure again. Went back to a traditional shoe and the problem went away.Immediately.
The problem, in my view, is the middle of the sole that jams upward and flexes your foot with every stride.Rack up the mileage and this stress takes its toll.I went back to a traditional running shoe and immediately felt relief.Returned my Skechers to the store for a full refund.They were curious and asked a lot of questions, but cheerfully refunded my dough.
So, bottom line, I would use these shoes as a tool but I say take it easy on the mileage.To my 48 year old body, they''re good for about 5 miles before you start to take a beating.Otherwise, there''s a lot to like about these things, so I give them 5 stars for comfort and speed but if I can''t rack up miles in them, I don''t want them.
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Overall the shoe felt good. More stable than I am used to for a running shoe this light. I would compare this to the "Nike Free" as it is lightweight and stable and has more cushion than a running flat. This shoe is VERY different however in the large support in the midfoot to promote a midfoot strike over a heel strike.
I do not think there is enough support for distance running with this shoe (7 mile + or 50 miles a week) but for low distance and track workouts it performs well.
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In short these are amazing and bordering on magic! I am a reformed heel striker and the shoes absolutely promote proper footstrike. The thickest area of the shoe is midfoot and that is where foot lands, not too far forward or too far back. Not a lot of cushion but you are absorbing, as you should, using your muscles and technique. As far as going sockless, if that''s your thing and something you do currently do then great, but I don''t see these being any more or less capable of sockless then your average shoe. Very fast, I am consistently running better times on known routes. The slight rocker is just the perfect amount and in my opinion extends the landing so impact is spread over a longer time period as the back of the shoe compresses flat and ending with a bit of rolling forward. Downhill is an area they really shine and I can let myself roll down the hill (pun intended), much better to land midfoot and have leg muscles absorb than to land heel first on an extended leg and have force transmitted up leg though the heel. Also encourages quicker/shorter stride turnover and keeping the body over the footstrike. These are likely much different that what you are currently using and will promote different technique and muscle groups so best not to run 10 miles out of the box, take your time and work into rotation gradually.Meb Keflezigh races in these and was top US at NY marathon and also won US Olympic Trials, both personal bests, and at age 36 at that. Maybe he would have done the same if still running for Nike, but maybe not... seriously they are that much of a game changer. Only negatives are that heel collects rocks in tread when running on gravel and all your running buddies comments on how toned your butt is looking:)Want Men''s SKECHERS GO Run Discount?
I am an intermediate runner... 10-15 miles per week for the last 20 years.In all that time I haven''t found a pair a shoes that I would purchase again because I liked them so much... this GoRun might be the first.One of the reviewers said "you''re going to feel it after the first run".Believe it!The design of the shoe to promote mid-foot strike fires up some muscles that you don''t know you have!But, I have about 20 miles on the shoes and that sensation has equalized.What I do notice is my PF is sooooo much better.I can''t believe that a shoe design would have made that much difference.Last summer I stepped in a hole and ended up with a subluxed cubiod.There has been some residual pain after a nice long run... not any more.Weird huh?The lightweightness of the shoe is awesome.You would be hard pressed to notice much difference between these and a true barefoot design.
The only downside (pun unavoidable) that I have discovered is going DOWNhill.The 4mm heel-rise makes it hard to land softly going downhill because the slope of the hill makes it really hard to land mid-foot.But, shorter stride seems to ease the problem.On the flat and going up hill, they are awesome.
