Skora Phase Shoe Review

When it comes to running shoes, I’m a bit different than most people. I’ve tried a lot of different types, but always enjoyed racing flats. As life sped up, my running slowed down. Cue heavy, padded, and elevated heel. Then, I tried a lighter shoe, coupled with Born to Run. This lead to minimalist toe shoes to even going barefoot for a good chunk of time. It was then that I found out I was a minimalist.

Up until this point and even now, I’m in love with Merrell’s Vapor Glove. I’ve faithfully put on 1,000+ miles between my three pairs. For a more protective, but responsive trail shoe I utilize the Merrell Trail Glove 2. But like all good running shoes, my favorite pair was modified into the Vapor Glove 2.0 – a better seamed, but a little heavier. No major complaints.

Well, except one. I guess with all the pounding I put on my feet (majority of it being asphalt), my big toe started to act up. This was double bad news because it started to act up right before a marathon. I hobbled across the line both disappointed and defeated --- but I still had fun! I told myself and agreed with my wife (to myself, not out loud of course) that maybe minimalist isn’t what I need for long distance.

I convinced my mom to buy me a pair of Skora Phase when home for Thanksgiving. I purchased them on Black Friday, so I received a sweet deal and a few pairs of Injinji socks for free!

Putting them on my feet to walk around the house, I immediately noticed the rolled heel. Mentioning it to my dad, he commented with a smirk, “Just like… your heel?” Things just got real (see what I did there!? Man, I’m funny… Oh, you didn’t? Well, maybe this will help. Skora’s motto is Run Real. Hilarious, right?!)

(Merry Christmas to me! Thanks, mom!)

The next detail I noticed was the lugs and rivets on the bottom. Being new, they had a lot of grip. Time will tell how long this will last, but it gives me some faith with the colder, snowier months upon us.

(After 10 wet miles, they still look pretty good. I'd say my Run Real form is par for the course.)

Finally, I was able to lace up and take them out on the road. My wife accompanied me for the first two miles and then she peeled off to run an Ultra or something. If you don’t know her, she’s pretty amazing.

During the first two, I had to run on the road and chunky rock. Unlike the Vapor Gloves, I could “feel” the rocks, but there was no discomfort. In the other shoes, I would avoid these rocks or crank out a faster foot turn over to help displace my weight. Not necessary with the Phase, but I still felt connected to the ground. The second test was a storm grate. No qualms. I could tell the surface texture was different, but the shoe stuck pretty well. Impressive, since it was drizzling all day.

Next came the track. With a Beer Mile in the near future, I figured I would try my new shoes on the track. Since I was emphasizing speed, I was hoping to be quick and light. Maybe it was from all the holiday food, but I just felt heavy and slow. Was this because of the shoes? I’m not sure. They did feel a little heavier than my racing flats, but that is to be expected. However, the insole is removable. Further research here is needed. 5:27 mile for those who are curious.

(Super reflective shoes!)

The mile back up home went extremely well. With my legs slightly fatigued, it was nice to see how the shoes responded to my shortened, “I think I’m dying” stride. To finish the last mile, I climbed a semi steep hill with ease. I was able to stay on my mid-foot with no heel strikes and pushed to the top. The downhill went equally as well. Actually, this was the most confident I’ve felt in a shoe going downhill in a long time.

(Sara and I before our second run. Phase on the left, Core on the right)

To make a long story short, the Skora Phase will be in my regular rotation. They will not be my 5K racing shoe, but will help with training. They will play a critical role with runs where the terrain is uncertain, anything over 6 miles, and maybe a few long(er) distance races.

Winter Series #1 - Mystery Through History

Another year, another Winter Series. TL;DR – 8 races, points based on finish, high quality courses, cheap entry fee, and a lot of fun!

The mystery through history is kind of the odd ball race in the series. Most of them are 5Ks, but that’s not the case with this one. In fact, the distance changes year to year (anywhere from 3 to 5 miles)! Fortunately, this year I was paying attention before the race and heard the director state the distance. Well, sort of. I knew it was 4 point something…

In addition to the distance, the course was described. From the grunts and groans that filled the air, I realized that the hills would be a challenge. However, being from Front Royal, I thought maybe this was just the flat landers and treadmillers talking.

NOPE! Have you ever heard your grandfather talking about how he used to walk up hill, both ways, to and from school, in a foot of snow, barefoot? Welp, I found the hill he was talking about.

The first mile went well. I started out slower than usual (a new thing for me), and was hoping to build up the pace. I had the lead pack in sight on long straights and knew I was around the top 10. “Good,” I thought. I can settle in, work the hills, and then crush the finish.

NOPE AGAIN!

Alright… it’s been a while since I did a hill workout. Hell, I took a long time off from running in general since the Richmond Marathon. And the “workouts” I did were not intense at all. But these hills were tough. They weren’t huge. They weren’t long. But they were constantly rolling. I’d recover on a downhill and then my heart rate would spike again going up the next knoll. All I could do was focus on the 3 people ahead of me, and hope to stay with them.

Fortunately, one of those three was Brenda – a staple to the SVR running events. I passed her early on and then she reciprocated the favor around mile 2. I hate being passed, so I needed to stay close.

Climbing back into the woods before the finish, I felt refreshed and ready to rock. But so did Brenda. I followed in her shadow as we reeled in the other two guys ahead of us. She then slowly pulled away with every stride, but with less than .75 of a mile to go, I knew I had the guts to pass the other two.

(Heading towards the finish. Photo by Karsten Brown)

The woods section is enjoyable, but deceivingly long. Fortunately, I remembered my trail shoes as the trail is chunky rock. I blew by the two guys (whom I later found out went out EXTREMELY fast and gassed out) and focused on my finish. Though Brenda was now out of the picture, I opened up my stride on the straight, downhill finish. As I crossed the finish line and looked at the time, I wasn’t impressed; but I was still happy. 

4.1 miles, 27:24 elapsed, 6:34 pace, 8^th overall, 1^st for my age group 20-29.