F2F Hot Chilli Challenge

I always try to do F2F's races. Great organization and its for a great cause. So I had decided to just take it easy as I still recover from SteamTown Marathon. Well it did not happen, I'm to competitive. After the start legs felt good and I was on 5th place after the big grass field were the start took place.
When we were hitting the single trails I was behind two runners who did not keep up with the pace I had in mind, so when we hit one of the hills around mile 2 I passed them. One of them had more gas in the legs and started to chase me, I still had a few seconds. At this point my calves were trashed, pretty much the same feeling I had during the SteamTown. Runnable but very painful and thight. The rest of my body felt fine and I was really motivated. I gained some time on the guy behind on the hills but he was faster then me on the flat parts. By mile 5 we missed a turn, it was clearly not marked and the volunteers was not out in time. I knew that the last 3 miles were going to be very hilly and if I could just keep the pace, I would beat the runner behind me. I popped a gel at mile 5 as well. By mile 6 we hit some good hills and the guy behind me lost time again, at the same time I could feel some more energy coming. Probably some from the gel and the fact that I was stronger then the guy behind. I knew the rest of the course would be hilly and I was stronger then the guy behind. I know had a 10 second lead. I kept my pace strong and the last mile I pushed a bit extra. I finished strong and are happy with the race in general. New PB for the course....

Again I used Skechers GoBionic Trail. The terrain was really hilly and very rocky. Pretty much all hills knife sharp rocks. The GoBionic trails kept me close to the ground and offered enough of protection against the rocks. The grip was outstanding, despite some rain during the week and all the leafs. I couldn't ask for more from a trail shoe. legs (not calves) anf feet were great after the race, not bruised.

Really happy to finish third. Probably not a good idea to race this short after a marathon as my calves took a hit again. But again, it was for a great cause!

Distance came up short this year, last year it was to long. GPS does not work as good over hilly terrain I guess. All cred to F2F and the Scheid brothers who won the race, amazing, fast guys!

New Skechers Reviews

Skechers Performance Division has been recognized in Runners magazines lately.

GoRun Speed
Running Times Magazine:

http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe/skechers-gorun-meb-speed-mens
http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe/skechers-gorun-meb-speed-womens

Another great Blog review (not new, but still really good!)
http://schrupthink.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/skechers-gorun-speed/

GoBionic Trail All Weather

Competitor
http://running.competitor.com/2013/09/shoes-and-gear/fall-2013-trail-running-shoe-review_84020/11

 

Skechers GoBionic Trail Review

I haven not been running much on trails the last couple of years, but when I first started my running here in US I picked trail over pavement. I used shoes like Montrail, Brooks Cascadia, The North Face and several of different of INOV-8's. I never really got the wow feeling in any of these shoes although they did the works on the trails here in NJ. This year I have covered 100% of my running using SKECHERS. Light flexible, responsive and with the road feel I have been searching for. So when I sent the GoBionic Trail I was hoping the shoes would offer me the same feel on the trails. Close to the ground, secured grip and a nice feel for the trail (without getting the feet beat up). So here we go....

Upper
The upper offers light synthetic mesh with some glued stripes in the arch area to keep the foot in place. The front and toe part has the same stretchy material as the original GoBionic. This offer a roomy toe box without a sloppy feeling. The lacing system is also a carry over from the the road version, pretty much standard. When looking at the shoe is does not look very breathable but been using here in NJ with degrees between 90-100 in July, I can guarantee this shoe breaths pretty well. I also used the shoes for a 5 mile trail race with a higher pace. The foot stays in place and the toes are protected. At this time I have only heard from other runners that the shoe drains really well. The tongue is integrated and keeping unnecessary debris out of the shoe.

Outsole 
The outsole offers a new compound called Resagrip, its pretty much a firmer form of Resalyte. By looking under the shoe you can see how SKECHERS designer has copied the idea of  the flex grooves from the road version but without the having the deep cuts. The grip is superb and a bit sticky, while racing I could focus on the pace and racing and I did not have to be worried about traction. Lugs are bigger then on other shoes I have used in the past again offer a great traction. No mud or rocks stays under the shoe while running. Outsole offers a flexible ride and your feet are protected by a lightweight rock diffusion plate. The ride is very true and close to what the other Skechers shoes offer. You stay close to the ground, trail and nature without getting your feet beat up. Also this shoe can handle the pavement pretty good, not being to firm. 

Insole
GoBionic Trail offers a  2 in 1 custom fit - wear with insole for a 4mm heel drop plus enhanced cushioning and protection, or remove the insole for a zero-drop barefoot-like experience. So far I have not tried the shoe with zero drop. I'm pretty happy with the sizing and the feel of the 4mm drop. I do believe this could effect the fit and sizing but as mentioned I have no experience. An Ortholite integrated anti-microbial sockliner helps inhibit odor, which could be good after a sweaty long summer.


Overall
Northern NJ  offers rough rocky trails. Often you find your feet being beaten and bruised. The GoBionic Trail has been offering great protection at the same time as they have been giving me the close to the ground feeling I like. I was looking for a shoe that could offer the same feeling asmy road shoes. GoBionic trail is the answer as they offer the same feeling for the trails, close to the ground. The foot stays in place and if you choose to pick up pace the shoes will respond well and offer great traction. Today when other running brands are bringing their shoes closer to the $150 mark. SKECHERS stays at $80. For that price you get according to me a shoe that offers one of the best feelings for the trails with a great traction. Get closer to the trails, get closer to nature. Get GoBionic Trail......

Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive Running shoes from Skechers Performance Division as part of their Skecher Performance Division brand ambassador program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Trail Running/ Summer Solitice 5Mile trail race!

I'm not doing trail races to often but every year I'm coming back to one of my favorite race "Summer Solstice 5 mile in NJ. Its a great race with lot of great people. Great pre and post racing activities. The race itself is really tough, single track and 2 miles on muddy rail beds. Youre climbing over 2 ridges with really step hills. The day of the race was really hot and humid, not my kind of weather. A week ahead of the race I started to try Bee Pollen for my allergies, and I have to say it works wonder! Still my breathing gets a bit heavy when I'm racing but it feel so much better.

A couple of fast guys showed up for the race and I placed 5th. I pretty much kept my placement during the whole race. I did some surges on the rail bed but was not able to get rid of the two guys who was following me. I was also trying to save energy for the last ridge at the same time. Last mile my legs were done  and I had to control my steps on the down hills.

Prior to the race Skechers Performance Division sent me a pair of the new Go Bionic Trail shoe. What a great trail shoe it was. Traction worked really well over the ridges, on the rail beds. Feet felt protected against the rocky NJ trails but at the same time you had a great connection to the trails. Very light weight and fast feel. Longer review when I have more miles on them.

 Trail running is really fun and you always meet great people at the races, a very relaxed atmosphere. This year I will definitely try to catch more trail races in between my Marathons training with my new Skechers Go Bionic Trail shoes!

Trail Running

Today its the start fo the Summer, for me that means that one of my favorite is going to take place!
Summer Solstice 5 Miles  in Andover. This race has a very challenging course with no room to take a break. Yesterday my new SKECHERS GoBionic Trail came in. I took them for a short spin and wow, what a great trail running shoe. Upper is smooth and the shoe has a really nice flow over the trails. More about the shoes later when I have more miles on them.

I wish I had time to run more trails because its really nice to come closer to the nature and I live in such a wonderful area. So today its to time to kick some dirt in NJ......

SKECHERS news

Some new cool stuff are getting released from SKECHERS pretty soon! The new GoBionic Trail is getting released mid June.
 Update: Order your Bionic Trails here: Go Bionic trail....

Details:
GObionic engineering uses nature and organic inspired design for a more natural movement
Watershed Mesh drains moisture quickly in wet conditions
Lightweight Rock Diffusion Plate disperses pressure to protect against rough terrain
Resagrip outsole is a proprietary durable, lightweight and flexible compound with traction control
Engineered to promote a midfoot strike
Decoupled geometric lugs on outsole elevate flexibility and grip
Breathable stretch mesh supports in extreme environments
2 in 1 custom fit - wear with insole for a 4mm drop plus enhanced cushioning and protection, or remove the insole for a zero-drop barefoot-like experience
Ortholite integrated anti-microbial sockliner helps inhibit odor
Construction
Ultra lightweight mesh and synthetic upper
Lace up front
Smooth comfortable interior for barefoot wear

So far the reviews has been excellent:

RuningshoesGuru

CoachCaleb #Bonkproof

Runblogger

Josh

Brider's Place

 Meb is back to racing after the injury that stopped from running Boston Marathon. Meb finished 9th at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in NYC 0:28:57. Last weekend Meb was back to his favorite race in San Diego Rock n Roll series Half Marathon. Meb has won this race last couple of years. This year Meb ran his fastest time on the course and finished fourth. Great job Meb and welcome back to racing!
On the picture from UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, Meb is wearing new colored GoSpeed and a new outfit. Is this the first picture of GoSpeed2?

Skechers GObionic Trail

Skechers GObionic Trail

 SKECHERS has released some serious good road shoes. With the new GoBionic trail they are aiming the serious trail runners as well.

The Skechers GObionic Trail is built on the top performing GObionic platform. It is more minimal and flexible than the current GOtrail since it’s a zero drop without the Ortholite sockliner and 4mm drop with the sockliner. The outsole is now made out of Resagrip, a new Skechers’ proprietary compound intended to be durable, flexible and lightweight. Upper comes with a  integrated tongue and it can be worn with or with out socks. The flex grooves been designed to avoid collecting debris.  In addition, the GObionic Trail has a diffusion plate in the sole to disperse pressure on rough terrain. It also performs very well as a road running shoe due to it flex grooves.
 
Read Coach Caleb of Team Wicked Bonk Proof  excellent review and his take on the design process!
http://www.coachcaleb.com/training/tips/shoe-review-skechers-gobionic-trail-my-50k-winning-shoe-hat-run

The GoBioninc trail comes in several different color schemes, you can check them out here:
http://skechersperformance.com/running/mens#/content/gobionic-trail-mens-53610

Available June 2013 with an MSRP of $80.