Singapore 2XU Marathon Race Report - Deo

Team athlete Deo ran his Personal Best (PB) timing for the 42km distance during the recently concluded 2XU Marathon in Singapore. He has truly did his 25th Marathon in style and will work on improving the timing even better. How did he do it? Here is his race report. Congrats Deo! Well deserving PB!

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The Singapore 2XU Marathon Race Report : Deo
My 25th full marathon was done safely in the recent 2XU Compression Run in Singapore. It was also my first race in Singapore since MR25 Ultramarathon in December 2012. I dreaded to race in any Singapore marathon mainly because in whatever marathon held in the island, name it whatever you want, half of the distance will be held inside the East Coast Park (ECP). And ECP is notorious for its long, never ending stretch and the hardness of the cement surface. But there is one thing about me that I recently realized - I like to sign up for first-time races (or the inaugurals) provided that the organizer is trustworthy and experienced ones. Although 2XU Compression Run was not held for the first time, the full marathon was a new category. And hearing good feedback from previous editions, I decided to return back to Singapore to run a race there.

On board the early AirAsia flight to Singapore, there were other familiar faces, all taking part in the race. After breakfast at Changi Airport we made our ways to Changi City Point Mall, which is located just two MRT stations from Changi Airport, for the race pack collection and expo. It was held at the small foyer of the mall and got really crowded by noon with runners queuing for the race pack as well as those shopping for merchandise from Key Power International. Nevertheless, it was a hassle-free race pack collection. The rest of the day was followed by eating and hydrating and napping and eating and prepping for the race and finally early lights off around 10pm.  

With some of the Malaysian runners we bumped into at the race pack collection and expo site

[photo by Leena See]

Woke up at 1.45am and headed out from hostel an hour later. Walked for some 2km to the start point with some one hour to spare before the start of the race. It was a peaceful morning, not crowded like in SCMS. Short queues for porta-loos as well as for the bag drops. Bumped into some Malaysian runners. Made ourselves into the race pen some 15 minutes before the race. The morning weather was really nice, not the usual very humid Singapore weather. And I can feel wind blowing at times making it a near perfect condition to run. 

As I said earlier, the weather was nearly in perfect condition to race (for tropical climate like in Malaysia and Singapore). From a glance at other runners' bibs and a look at the crowd lining up in front and behind me, I sensed that there were not more than 3,000 full marathoners that morning so I guessed there won't be any bottleneck anywhere along the route (there were actually 3,420 total finishers for full marathon). The start point of the race was on Republic Avenue, parallel to Nicoll Highway and next to Geylang River (I think). The view at that 4am was quite stunning as we could see the sight of the lighted-up Singapore Flyer at the other side of the river.  

The race route, includes the dreaded 21km inside ECP

The route for the race would take runners from the start line at Republic Avenue, then continued on Crawford Street, Kallang Road, Sims Way before running on Nicoll Highway. There was a u-turn somewhere on Nicoll Highway (KM5.5) followed by Mountbatten Road, Stadium Boulevard, crossed the Geyland River, along Geylang Park Connector before entering ECP at KM17. I can tell you that the route was interesting to run on, helped by the nice weather. I also witnessed that the organizer paid a detailed attention to safety, for example they laid out plank of wood panels to cover uneven surface along the Geylang Park Connector. There were also some dark sections but were all lighted up with fluorescent reflector markers and many marshals were stationed at these dark areas to ensure runners do run on the correct path. 

In terms of gears used, I am being lucky to be under 2ndSkin Athletes Program whereby almost everything that I put on were sponsored. For this race, from top to toe, I wore TeamSpyder Tank shades (although it remained on my head throughout the race), 2ndSkinAsia's team t-shirt in Vaporskin technology, Kraftfit men's long compression bottom, Garmin 910XT watch, Skechers GOrun Ultra shoes, and self-provided Nathan's waist pouch and Wrightsock's socks.

Morning before the race - lacing up my Skechers GOrun Ultra

Apart from the gears, 2ndSkin athletes were also sponsored by Hammer for our endurance fuels and supplements. For this race, I consumed 3 packs of gels at KM8, KM16 and KM32. I skipped KM24 as I had to take Perpetuem Solids and Anti Fatigue Cap at the same time, and skipped taking the gel at KM40 because I was too lazy. For hydration and electrolyte, I took Fizz which I put one tablet into a 500ml water that I carried along the race. I had one or two sips every three kilometers and that 500ml lasted until KM27 where I had to refill my bottle. Initially, I brought another Fizz tablet but dropped it somewhere in ECP. So, I had to resort with Pocari Sweat drinks provided by the race organizer. I also took three tablets of Perpetuem Solids, taken one each at every hour. And for the first time, I used Anti-Fatigue Caps, taken twice, one cap each at the 2nd hour and 3rd hour. Other than these, I didn't take anything else, not even any breakfast prior to the race.

As usual, I always have sets of target, i.e. to run under four hours, to do better than my previous race, or to run with a PR timing. What it means is that I will re-evaluate my target finishing time as the race progresses especially how I fared in the first 10km or in the first half of the race. I am lucky to have the capability to calculate my pace and expected finishing time in my head while running so I would be able to dictate my body on how fast my pace should be to meet the targeted timing or how long of break I could enjoy but still able to meet my target, and so on. 

The start of the marathon race. I was there behind the guy in red

I was lining up quite at the front of the pack, maybe in the front 15%. The race was flagged off at 4am sharp. I started slow due to the slow-moving crowd but it was not too slow. I was running at 5:11-minute pace, good enough for a 1km warm up. And as the crowd started to dispersed, I saw myself doing sub 5-minute pace from KM2 up to KM17 with some slacks in KM12, 13 and 14 where my pace gone up to more than 5 minutes. I was surprised to know that I could maintain that pace for such a long period, longer than I had ever done in any other marathons I did before. In fact, I could never maintain this pace in my training. And my 10km split, 48 minutes 36 seconds, was just 18 seconds slower than my 10km race PR. The 10km split was the fastest 10km split in all my marathons. With the pace I was moving, I was ecstatic to know that I may be able to do a PR that day. I continued to push myself but all started to go wrong (literally) as I entered the ECP.

The dreaded face as I moved closer to the entrance of ECP

The start of ECP section was around KM17. Looking at the KM17 marker, I knew that I will arrive at the same spot again when it was about KM37 (20km inside ECP). My heart sank a little knowing that I would be inside ECP for a long, long, time. The only motivation I had that time was that if I finished off the ECP section as fast as possible, I would only need to run another 4km towards the finish line. So, motivated or not, I continued running. It was quiet inside the park and the day started to get more humid as it was getting brighter. I could not help to sustain sub 5-minute pace but tried to move as quickly as possible. The boringness running inside the park, the surface of road/path (whatever you called it) were not helping in any way. I tried my best to maintain sub 5:15-minute pace and luckily for me, my pace in the first 17km was good enough to cover my slower pace in ECP. In fact, my average pace stayed under 5-minute all the way up to KM26. My 20km split was 1hr 33mins and 57secs, still fastest compared to my previous marathons, and I covered 25km of the route in 2 hours.

I was so relieved when I arrived at the u-turn point at the opposite end of ECP (KM25.5) and I could now see more runners on the other side of the road on the opposite direction of the park. It lifted my spirit a little knowing that my suffering (of running inside ECP) is nearing the end but theirs just about to begin. Nevertheless, I could not run any faster like in the first 17km but I was happy enough to be able to maintain sub 5:30-minute pace by that time. With the pace I was doing, I knew sub 4-hour timing is well within grasp but to do a PR would be quite challenging. I stopped for the first time at KM27 to refill my water bottle as well as to take a loo. And as a result, my average pace has gone up to above 5-minute. There onwards, I stopped for a couple more walk breaks in ECP (KM32 and KM35) as I was so tired and just felt like walking for a while. Before I decided to walk again at KM37, I reached the exit gate of the ECP and my spirit soared that I kept running.

Happy after surviving the ECP. I told my friends that the two thumbs up are for the well-organized race and another one for my PR

Not long after I exited ECP, with some 4km to go towards the finishing line, I joined a crowded half marathoners, those slower ones. I had to zig zag, weaving through them who at most times, crowded the whole lane, walking and forming human barricade to the extent that I had to push them aside just to get through. It continued until the finish line but somehow I found that this kept me motivated to run all the way as I wanted to show these walkers of the half marathon that a full marathoner can still run after been out on the road for 38km. There were few occasions when I told some of them "C'mon, keep running! It's almost over" but they just didn't care. The expression on their faces were telling something like "you want to run, you run lah..." There was also a time while running up an elevated bridge before coming down to the F1 paddock when I was about to overtake a half marathon couple who were walking and holding hands, I said to the couple, "hold hands and run lah..." only to be responded with giggles from them *sigh*. 

I told myself that there is no point of motivating them so, let's just continue pursuing my goal. I knew that if I keep running and the race would not go over distance, I would finish the race with a PR timing. The last three kilometers were not fast but was good enough to bring me home with a PR of 3 hours 40 minutes and 11 seconds (official nett time), two minutes faster than my previous PR set in Auckland in November last year. Average pace was 5:14-minute per km. And the timing puts me in 46th position out of 2,884 male marathoners. Although I missed the 3:3x mark by just 11 seconds, I am still very satisfied with the way I ran this marathon - knowing what I am capable of.

It's always nice to run a marathon PR and everytime it feels different!

If you ask me how I managed to improve my timing again, I have no idea. But I strongly believe that I have been on the right track since joining Team 2ndSkin - with my nutritions, my strengthening and conditioning program by GetAactive, the cross-training I did where I just picked up cycling although I am nowhere near being a fast rider, as well as being around those strong, determined and dedicated 2ndSkin team mates; these have complemented my willpower and determination in doing better each time I run a marathon. And for this race, ladyluck was on my side as the weather was really nice to complement the almost flat route. 

In terms of the overall organization of the event, personally, I think that the event has been well-managed from the safety aspect (as I mentioned earlier), the support (volunteers and marshaling), race information was easily available from the website, half of the route was nice while the other half was in ECP (you know what this means), water stations were located 2km apart - this is aplenty! and the isotonic were served cold even for back runners, the start/finish venue were reasonable for that size of crowd, finisher medal was nice, event vest and finisher t-shirt were ok. My overall rating for the event would be GOOD!

And that wrapped up the story of my 25th marathon.

Skechers GoRunRide3 Unboxing : TriStupe

When TriStupe was given the GoRunUltra, he collected a yet to be launched Skechers GoRunRide3. According to him after using the shoe for a few runs, his feedback to the team was "not what I expected of the RunRide series, this shoe is different". What is the different you ask? Here is his unboxing to uncover it all.
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Skechers GoRunRide3 Unboxing : Tri Stupe

Fresh from the 40-footer container, so to say. The GoRunRide3 were given to me when I collected the GoRunUltra after Chinese New Year. This is a refresh from the GoRunRide2 (in the form of Nite Owl) that was reviewed by me previously. If you want to know what the GoRunRide2 (GRR2) looked like, hop over to this link here : GRR2 Unboxing and Review. Unlike the GRR2, the GRR3 is not "glow in the dark". That said, the GRR3 is a totally different permutation when compared to the GRR2 in many aspects. Here is the unboxing.

Skechers GoRunRide3 

In recent months, Skechers has released shoes using better material that are better than the previous instalment. Improvement based on feedback from world known running blogger such as Pete Larson and US top marathon runner Meb Keflezghi. No less than that, regionally in South East Asia, some of us lucky enough to receive shoes seeding (sponsorship, review or local athletes) has provided feedback to help Skechers to improve on. As some of you may know, I've noted that GRR2 were (back then) the most plush among all the Skechers I've reviewed. The theme carries over with GRR3 as it is intended to be a cushioned trainer. 

Notice the newer material - unique 3D printed side details

First Feel
The sizing/fitting session at Skechers HQ allowed me the first feel of the shoe with socks. I took the US10 sizing, which is the same as some of the other Skechers I have. The toe box is wide, so no issues with tight front that requires a size up. When I tried the shoe for size, The thicker insole was not inserted into the shoe, giving me the 4mm feel. I then insert the insole just to confirm that the US10 will be a-ok for me as well. Seems the sizing is pretty good as the disparity with and without insole felt the same at least for me. Confirmation with Skechers is that the shoe with or without the insole is a 4mm drop shoe.

Custom fit  = without insole or with insole

The shoe comes with removable or customisable insole similar to the GoRun3 and GoRunRide2. Without the insole, it is a 4mm drop shoe. With the insole, it transform into an 8mm drop shoe. This "customisable" ride seems to be the theme for the Go-series with GoRunUltra having the same (identical) insole.

Smooth inner, allowing for sockless run or 4mm drop

Aesthetically, with the insole removed, Skechers has given the footbed the same treatment as GR3 and GRR2 with satin smooth feel. From experience (all 300km of it in the other two shoes), there is no hot spot or issues with the feet running on the inner surface of the shoe.

Cushioned and Structured
The "plushness" from this shoe comes mainly from the thicker add-on (insole). After running in the 8mm drop shoes, there is very little differences to the feel when compared to a 4mm drop shoe. So, it doesn't really bother me much. 

Sleeker profile compared to GRR2. Less bulky looking as well

One thing that I immediately noticed was how much the GRR3 looked like the GR3 - the sleeker cousin. The GRR2 was a bit on the bulky side due to the thicker cushioning but the refresh of materials has the GRR3 looking sleeker. 4-way mesh on the top with synthetic mesh on the side pretty much built the shoe on the upper portion. The use of synthetic overlay similar to GoRunUltra snug fit and structure to the shoe.

Non-stretch nylon on the toe box and the lacing down to the side, providing snug fit and support once you pull the laces.

Maintaining What Works

The pods at the sole were same as the GoRun series with a bit of additional changes to the tip of the toe that now looked like an additional crash-pad. Not entirely sure how this will aid in propulsion as it appear more of a design decision from Skechers to me.

That right. GoImpulse Pod

Like the other Go-series or Skechers Performance shoes, the M-strike comes as standard. The bump however, felt the same as GRR2 aka reduced (on paper) by 2mm. Perhaps it is also myself being used to the bump that function like the rocker-type of shoe (think see-saw).

Closer look at the front of the sole

The tongue of the GRR3 wasn't sewn down like the GRU, but it comes with a notch for you to lace through to hold the tongue up when you want to wear them. Not an issue for road-specific shoes as the chances of sand/grit getting into the shoe from the tongue will be minimal or at best, not going to happen unless you run offroad, or purposely run in a gravel road and kick up pebbles, literally.

Tongue not sewn down

The tongue is thicker than usual, which sort of remind me of the GoRunUltra. Doesn't bother me much but it has been a while since I come across a non-padded tongue similar to GoBionic and GoBionicRide. Perhaps the feedback from the other users is for thicker tongue?

Sexy curves

The heel portion is upturned and this minimises or help lessen the chances of heel striking on normal run. Again, I wish to reiterate that the M-Strike feature will encourage you to mid-foot strike, but won't change you from a heel-striking runner to a mid/forefoot lander. You will have to unlearn your running style and learn the best way to land - then the shoe WILL work in your favour. Having said that, my whole unlearning process was with the Skechers shoes with mid-foot strike, and I've successfully managed to run in a more efficient manner, thanks to Skechers.
Flexible!
I would like to see how other brands do this.

Talk about turning shoes to pretzels. Enough said.

Lightweight Despite the Bulk
Skechers rated the shoe to be 8.4oz for Men size 9, or about 238grams. My trusty scale scored a 230grams for US10. Perhaps it's time to get a digital scale and minimise these reading error eh?

about 230grams!

Anyhow, even at 240grams, the shoe is considered light for a cushioned trainer. Bearing in mind the additional material that goes into the Resalyte sole and the thicker tongue. 
Summing It Up
The GRR3 comes with:
- Resalyte sole that is actually memory foam
- GoImpulse pod that help distribute landing pressure and react to provide bounce and response
- M-Strike for that midfoot strike encouragement
- Ag-ion treatment for odor control (not that I have smelly feet)
- Lightweight 8.4oz for Men US9. Much lesser for women definitely

And with extras:
- Customisable sole 
- Newer materials that help to keep the weight down, while offering more cushioning and structure
- Swanky 3D print on the side, you see some pattern under the 4-way mesh
- Streamlined cutting and "takes away the bulk"
- Support for lateral movement  via synthetic like overlay on the side and more protection for the toes with the same synthetic overlay as protection

Note: This pair of Skechers GoRunRide3 is sponsored by Skechers Malaysia via collaboration with 2ndSkin Asia Athletes program. Thank you Skechers Malaysia and 2ndSkin! This pair is not launched yet. No pricing available at point of writing, but should be the same RM399 for men as indicative pricing. 

Opinion in this write up is my own and not influenced by Skechers Malaysia or 2ndSkin program.

How To Improve In Swimming - Irene Chong

Team athlete Irene is an accomplished swimmer having represented Malaysia in synchronized swimming in her earlier years. Here, she tells us how to improve in your swim by incorporating drills into your training. Read on and if you are unsure, drop us a question and we'll get Irene to put your doubts to rest...

My favorite sport in triathlon is swimming. Swimming is the one of the non-impact activity sports, which makes it good as a form of cross-training or recovery workout.  Swimming is harder to pick up compared to cycling and running. To improve swimming, technique is very important. I highly recommend that beginners stick to drills as much as possible early on. My suggestion of the drills:

1) Catch up

Push off the wall in a streamline and start your catch as you normally would. Leave the opposite hand fully extended, even during the recovery. Allow the recovering arm to “catch up” to the extended arm, touching hands before you begin the catch with the arm that was extended. Now, leave the opposite hand fully extended, even during the recovery. Allow the recovering arm to “catch up” to the extended arm, touching hands before you begin the catch with the arm that was extended.

Catching up. Learn more here

Catch up allows the athlete to work on the timing of their breath, a good rotation, and a steady kick. It isolates each arm but allows newer athletes to balance their stroke with less difficulty than they’d have with the opposite arm glued to their side. Catch Up Drill can help correct a short hand entry by forcing the athlete to extend their recovering arm further in an effort to touch their opposite hand.

2) Fingertip Drag Drill

This drill is swimming normal Freestyle while dragging your fingertips along the surface of the water on the recovery. Focus on a high elbow recovery, which ensures proper hand and elbow position at your hand entry. You should also check your body position during this drill, focusing on good side-to-side rotation.

 

Image from Youtube Video Here

An alternate version of this drill involves dragging the entire hand, wrist-deep, through the water. This helps build strength and speed of the arm recovery motion.

3) Closed Fist Swim

This is my favorite drill since it really helps develop a long, efficient stroke. By forming a tight fist around your thumb on the pull, you take your hand out of the equation and force your forearm to pick up the slack. If you've done the drill correctly, when you switch back to regular swimming, you should feel a noticeably more powerful pull. This helps increase the surface area of your arm that's pushing you forward through the water.

 

Learn more here

Drills can be very boring, so you can add some "toys" during the drill training, eg: paddle, fins, snorkel..... Enjoy the drill and stay tuned for the subsequent swimming improvement article to improve on the kick and also on pulling. 

Skechers GoRunUltra Unboxing by TriStupe

Much hype has been generated in recent weeks as Skechers Malaysia informed the team that the much-awaited GoRunUltra; the Skechers cushioned running shoes will make it's debut. We are lucky to have TriStupe and Deo receiving these pairs for testing and feedback to Skechers. Of course the review would not be complete if there isn't an unboxing post. TriStupe has  (as usual) written about these new gears he recieved and share with us how the shoe look like and feel like "out of the box". The team would like to express our gratitude to Skechers Malaysia for their continious support. Have fun with the Unboxing review.
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Skechers GoRunUltra Unboxing : TriStupe

Skechers Malaysia has been ahead in Asia to launch new models after new models. What was shown to me about 2-months ago, the Skechers GoRunUltra (GRU),  has finally arrived in Malaysia and I was lucky to be among the first few to receive these newly launched running gears as it lands. Sometimes, these items are still in the 40-footer container. Talk about being delivered immediately upon arrival. Previously, I've worn the more cushioned GoRunRide2 Nite Owl and find it very nicely padded. 

Cushioned and as fast

So when I received a call from Eugene, the Team 2ndSkin Principal, to go to the Skechers Malaysia HQ and get the GRU, I was naturally excited. I was also told that a unknown date-to-release GoRunRide3 will be passed to me. More of that later!

Go Like Never Before

GoUltra - US10. Red/White

I first saw the GRU when it was a "sample" (with holes at the bottom to prevent it from being sold as a legit shoe). It was chunky by Skechers GO-series standard and it promises to "ride like a full cushioned shoe while allowing contact with ground". I've work cushioned shoes before and I am still wearing one for training (Brooks Ghost5). They are typically high on the "drop" and nothing else than 13 to 15mm. The elevated ride sort of throw you off-balance once a while on uneven surface. That is how injury to the ankle (twisted or torn ligament due to accidental fall) happens. Hence, the popularity of minimalist or zero-drop shoes. It put your feet on "neutral", so to say. So when the GRU was presented to me, I was naturally skeptical.
"Why would Skechers, after all these while working on minimalist shoes, going maximalist?"
"Isn't going thicker counter of what mid-foot strike is about?"
I had many questions in my mind over what this edition will do...So, until I take it out for a run, perhaps we unbox first?
The Unboxing
I really like unboxing new shoes. Something about it always make me felt guilty to wear them out for a run. The (volatile organic compound VOC) smell, the feel of a clean virgin shoe and the nicely packed and wrapped up box. First look on the shoe is the fiery color. Red on white sole. It sort of remind you of the Salomon Sense, which is the top of the range trail lightweight shoe.

Chinese New Year Red

To start with, the GRU is the most cushioned shoe I ever run in the past 18months.GoRunRide2 was very cushioned and the GoRun3 continues the trend of cushioned-minimalist, if there is a term for that. When placed amongst the other Skechers, this is the "big boy". Thick. Soft. And It look fast just standing.

4-way mesh on the top for flexibility. GoBionicTrail material on side for lightweight and structure

For a shoe this bulky, I was impressed by how light it was. The US9 comes in at 8.7oz or 250grams and the pair of US10 I got was just pipping the 9oz mark. How is this impressive? The lightest Go-series is the GoBionic, which runs in at 175grams or 6.2oz. For almost 80% (estimated) more cushioning, that is just additional 75grams - or 5-spoon of sugar (to sweeten the deal). 

About 250grams or 9oz

The official press release for GRU says it is 65% more cushioned that GoRunRidemodel (260grams). If you put the maths together, you will realised, despite the additional material used to raise the amount of cushioning, the GRU comes in lighter than the most plush Go-series (before GRU debut). This exhibit material and technology being used really well with each new model that Skechers releases.

Door-To-Trail

I was confused when i flip the shoe over and saw that the sole are not the typical GoImpulse-sensor layout (but known as Rigid Resagrip), but rather aggressive lugs which reminds you of Brooks Cascadia 7. I was naturally skeptical as my best experience with Brooks Cascadia were ver 5, and wifey uses the 7 previously (before going over to Skechers). In other words, Skechers has produced a "hyrid", which I was then told the correct term for this is Door-To-Trail. 

Aggressive Sole

The ribbing in between the lugs are too soft to offer any grip. It could be there for cosmetic purposes only. The lugs, however, felt pretty sure on first touch. I did try to compress it and it does to an extent. My only worries is how fast it may last if used as an out-and-out trail shoe. I will need to remind myself that this is a NOT a trail shoe. Door-To-Trail!

Closer look of the lugs

The GRU is a 8mm drop that can be converted to a 4mm drop by just removing the insole. Yes, the insole itself lend a full 4mm to the ride. Made possible by the thicker heel crash pad and thinner front. The same insole is used in the GoRun3, which I've customised the GR3 with my GR2 insole for more "road feel".

about 10grams

The inner part of the GRU with sole removed is smooth and velvet like. Save for the stitching on the side, I foresee this to be able to be neutral if worn sockless (and no blisters, hopefully). Removing the insole sort of free up the space inside as well. Hence this contributed to some tricky fitting if you are buying and testing. Many I know that received the GRU went 1-size up (Nick and Jamie, not sure about Deo). I stick to the same US10 I take for the other GoRun series with wide toe-box (except Speed where i went 1 size up due to tight front).

Should be alright for sockless. But will confirm later.

Unlike the other cushioned, structured and controlled (motion) shoe, the sole were surprisingly flexible. With the insole in place, it is normal not to be able to fold it up like when the insole removed.

No camera trick. 

With the insole, I can still bend it up to 75degrees (the above shows a 90degree fold). The above is really t show that despite the heavier cushioning, it is still surprisingly flexible. This will allow the feet inside to move and splay as it lands. From experience using Skechers shoes, this allow for more "grounded" feel, as any uneven surface will see the sole "wrapping" around it, ensuring better shoe-surface contact, lessen the chances of slip and fall over uneven terrain. Skechers call thisProgressive Flex Zone. Skechers score big on this.

Red-Lime color with White sole

The GRU has a dual-density layer built which provides both support and cushioning. The Rigid Resagrip™ outsole engineered to provide the right amount of support while the softer Resalyte™ midsole (memory foam!) provides cushioning. With the customisable 8mm to 4mm drop, you essentially get a maximal cushioned shoe that provides minimalist feel. However, please be aware you WILL be standing taller. Stack height is 23mm forefoot and 27mm heel, which gives the 4mm drop. Add in the insole, it goes to 8mm. Traditional running shoes, esp the cushioned shoes are riding higher and has larger drop by minimum of 13mm to 15mm drop (so your heel is on the higher side by that amount of height).

GoRunUltra vs Brooks Ghost 5

You can see from the photo above, the Brooks Ghost 5, which was my main shoe (and still in service for those training days) before I switch to Skechers is noticeably taller and thicker. The visual above would provide the reader a better comparison of the ride height. 

Heel and Front profile

The GRU continues to promote the M(idfoot)-Strike and the heel cup is curved upwards and the bump in the midsole will encourage landing and taking off correctly. However, the bio-mechanic of good running (strides, landing, taking off, injury prevention) differ from person to person. One must remember that wearing a shoe that encourages/promote front foot strike or midfoot strike will not work if we do notunlearn and relearn how to run. Be informed there is no miracle shoes that will change your running strides. Key point is "encourage".

Material Updates

Mix of materials

The GRU utilises a mix of Synthetic and mesh fabric upper that will provide both breathable and stability with strategically placed overlay. The toe front has been fitted with synthetic material that will protect the front if you use it for trails. Reflective strips are seen on the front and the back (S logo is reflective). 

Inner side view of the right-side of shoe

The side stitches pattern will remind you of the GoRun3. From my usage of the GR3, the show is supportive enough as claimed and I do not see how the GRU will be any less with similar use of materials.

The tongue is intergrated/sewn on

Like most of the Skechers shoes, the tongue has been integrated or sewn on. I begin to appreciate it more as it help to stop small stones or sands from getting into the shoe from the top in the trails or on dusty roads. The tongue has been made wider as well, so it "wraps" the top of you feet, providing more comfy feel. Of course, one may argue it will reduce breathability - I am monitoring it as I ran with it already (in the review next).

Flat shoelace

Lastly, this may be missed by many, the shoelace provided with the GRU is flat. There is merit to this as the flat shoelace actually secures better that rounded laces. Love the details to the laces that has the same red-lime color as the shoe (than boring monotonous color).

Here are the official specs to the GoRunUltra from Skechers site.

Men's Skechers GOrun Ultra Running Shoes

Discover the ultimate in cushioned running with the SKECHERS GOrun Ultra LT shoe. Designed for Ultra Marathon running with more Resalyte shock absorption than ever before.

Details:

• Cushioning Ultra Marathon running shoe design
• 65% more Resalyte cushioning than Skechers GOrun ride shoes
• Provides runners with the enhanced cushioning and support to help protect joints and limit fatigue in longer distance runs
• Dual density layers offer the stability and support the advanced runner needs
• Cushion and comfort that all runners will appreciate
• Rigid Resagrip™ outsole engineered to provide the right amount of support
• Soft midsole layer provides cushion effect
• Progressive Flex Zone provides flexibility and firm support
• Aggressive traction control GOimpulse sensors on outsole allow for superior control on any terrain
• 6mm heel drop height
• Promotes a midfoot strike
• Weight: 8.7 oz. in a men's size 9

Construction:

• Synthetic and mesh fabric upper
• Synthetic overlays for stability
• 4 way stretch mesh for added comfort
• Side S logo
• Lace up front
• Soft fabric shoe lining for barefoot wear

Note: This pair of Skechers GoRunUltra is sponsored by Skechers Malaysia via collaboration with 2ndSkin Asia Athletes program. Thank you Skechers Malaysia and 2ndSkin! This pair is retails for RM419 (men) and RM399 (women) in Peninsular Malaysia and has been made available in all stores since February 16, 2014. Opinion in this write up is my own and not influenced by Skechers Malaysia or 2ndSkin program.

Next : Wait up for the full review from Door-To-Trail, literally!

more to come