Almost like running barefoot

There’s a shoe just out in the market claiming to be the nearest thing to make you feel like running barefoot. The concept of running barefoot may not necessarily be appealing. Who wants to get your feet all bruised and dirty on asphalt streets? But the idea of running in shoes that are lightweight, almost feathery, to give you cushion, comfort and protection from injury is surely a can’t-miss proposition.

I found out about this shoe from my friend Tommy Ong who proudly distributes Skechers in the country. Skechers has been known for its trendy casual shoe line since the brand was created in 1992. It made a major breakthrough in the fitness market in 2009 with the revolutionary Shape Up shoe where because of its rocker sole features, gives you a sort of a workout while you’re walking. Skechers later brought out “toning” footwear and sales zoomed to over $1 Billion. The brand suffered a setback last May when the Federal Trade Commission came down hard on the California company for making unfounded advertising claims but that didn’t deter the rise in popularity of the new GOrun shoe.

Writer Jack McPheron said the Skechers GOrun shoe has become a strong contender in the lightweight, minimalist running shoe derby, weighing just 6.9 ounces for the men’s edition and 4.9 ounces for women. What makes GOrun different from the rest is its unique design where the mid-foot area is thicker than the heel section. Because of the sole configuration, the shoe prompts you to run with a mid-foot strike.

“Although standing still in the shoes can feel strange, the GOrun is great for long runs because its design maximizes performance and minimizes the risk of injury,” said McPheron. “Skechers encourages running sockless. Some runners prefer this while others find it painful. We suggest trying the shoe sockless but you start to develop cuts or blisters, put your socks back on. You won’t lose any of the GOrun’s performance benefits.” I don’t know about running sockless. I understand that the GOrun has enough cushion to make you go sockless but for me, nothing beats the extra protection of socks while running, even if only for hygiene purposes.

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Aside from a padded mid-foot section, the GOrun has impulse sensors that isolate points of contact to deliver sensory feedback and employs high-abrasion rubber at strike points for more stability and traction control. The concept draws inspiration from barefoot running which provides a more natural experience, allowing you to interact with practically any surface.

“Barefoot running uses very little cushioning to enable the body to run the way it’s supposed to,” explained a Skechers publicist. “This makes the foot more responsive to what’s happening on the ground, enabling the leg muscles to have more efficient strikes as well as adopt the anatomical geometry to bend in the right position and absorb shock. More importantly, you’d also realize that you’ll naturally land on your mid-foot or forefoot, not your heel, so you’ll suffer less pain and injuries.”

Several runners have openly endorsed the GOruns. Topping the list is 37-year-old Athens Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi who clocked 2:09:08 in registering the fastest US qualifying time in the marathon during the London Games trials in Houston. Keflezighi went on to place fourth in London with a time of 2:11:06, roaring close to a medal finish from 19th spot at the 20-kilometer mark, 10th at 30-kilometers and sixth at 35 kilometers.

Keflezighi’s personal history is a story of triumph. He was born in Eritrea, one of 11 children. Keflezighi lived in a village with no electricity and his older brothers hid from military authorities drafting boys to fight against Ethiopia. When he was 12, Keflezighi moved to the US with his family as a refugee, leaving Eritrea in a journey that went through Italy. Keflezighi became a naturalized US citizen in 1998 after graduating from UCLA where as a varsity runner, he won four NCAA championships including the cross-country title in 1996-97.

Keflezighi has endured a career-threatening hip fracture, seeing his friend and training partner Ryan Shay die of a heart attack during the 2008 US Olympic marathon trials in Central Park, a foot infection that put his London Olympic qualifying hopes in doubt and a quadriceps injury that hampered his run at the London Olympic marathon to emerge as a living icon of a sports survivor.

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Since wearing the GOruns, Keflezighi has enjoyed a career renaissance. Only two years ago, he ran without a shoe sponsor. When he signed up with Skechers, the GOruns were still not in the market. Keflezighi and the GOruns broke through together like partners, first at the New York City marathon then the London Olympic trials and lately, the London Olympic marathon. Despite his age, Keflezighi is running faster than ever and credits the GOruns for making the difference.

“Skechers GOruns changed the way I run for the better,” said Keflezighi who trains at an altitude of 7,000 feet at Mammoth Lakes, California, and was an honorary team captain of the Houston Rockets during the USA Cross Country Championships in 2003. “I’ve been a heel strike runner my entire life but I’m now wearing Skechers to maximize the efficiency of my foot strike. My shoes are my most essential piece of equipment and right now, Skechers has the footwear I need to succeed.”

Aside from Keflezighi, other GOrun endorsers are New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead and world record-holding ultra runner Christian Burke. In the Philippines, several running figures – including coach Rene Villarta, Jinoe Gavan of Takbo.ph and Michelle Estuar – have given positive feedback on the GOruns. “It’s really good for competitive racing such as 10K wherein the foot doesn’t suffer from the ground’s impact,” said Estuar. “In overall appearance, it’s very simple yet elegant. No extra unnecessary decorations, straight to the point, competitive.”

GOruns are priced at P4,195 while the GOrun Ride, which features a 4mm drop from heel to toe and a bulkier padding, is at P4,295. Colors for both models are blue, black, coral, yellow, green, grey and red. The shoes are available at Trinoma, Festival Mall, Market Market, Glorietta 5, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Marquee Mall, Abreeza Mall, department stores and sports specialty stores.