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!