ASICS FrontRunner Quaniet Jakoet is a busy man. He juggles his training with a full-time job as rewards programme marketing and partner manager; being a husband and father of three boys.
He does the bulk his training before work and during his lunch time but, if required, will add another session in the afternoon. He manages five to six sessions a week, which his rest day being an active rest: ‘Running after the kids!’
These are his thoughts on the recently-launched, ASICS METARIDE
Terrain: Road
Shoe type: Neutral
Heel drop/offset: Zero drop with a 31mm height at the heel and forefoot
Cushioning system: Construction of the shoe’s cushioning is in three layers with FlyteFoam Lyte in the midsole for structure and cushioning. The second layer has FlyteFoam Propel for the bounce and energy return when running – it’s also used in the ASICS Kayano and Cumulus which are both long distance running shoes. Then in the heel you can see the GEL technology being incorporated which is the ASICS signature
Upper material: Knit upper for great comfort and cushioning around your foot
Forefoot material: Grip sole rubber from the forefoot to heel helping tackle long distances with ease
Weight: 331 grams for my size UK 10.5
My initial reaction to the shoe before I put it on was: ‘Wow! What an innovative looking shoe.’
I then wore it to work one day with my chinos turned up and everyone was eyeing the shoe and loving it. They did not believe me when I said it was actually a running shoe. When I first put the shoe on and leaned forward you can immediately feel the effect of the GUIDESOLE which is the curve that is immediately noticed about the shoe. The effect is you moving forward on your forefoot…effortlessly from heel to toe.
My first run was a five-kay; I wanted to test the shoe on a faster run because the shoe is positioned for longer runs, marathons to ultras. I was pleasantly surprised because I was able to go under 4min/km with little force. The shoe is obviously heavier that a normal trainer or racing shoe but due to the way I was striding in the shoe, the propulsion of the FlyteFoam, I did not feel the weight being too heavy.
I then used the shoe in a 15km race a few weeks after (while do training runs as well in them) and again I enjoyed my run. Now with the longer distance then the five-km coming in I could feel the heel cushioning a lot more in the shoe aiding my run. The curved GUIDESOLE continued to make me want to flow off my forefoot, even with a midfoot strike, but this is the nature of the GUIDESOLE and its design to effortlessly give you a comfy run where to are running off on the cushioning of the shoe.
Further longer distances in the shoe was done in prep for my race at the Paris Marathon. I used the shoe on hills, on gravel and little bit of rougher terrain on my runs – I can assure runners that the gripsole definitely works, even in the wet on the tar going downhill. I felt very comfortable not needing to hold back for fear of slipping, which I have had with other shoes in the wet.
I then ran the Paris Marathon and the shoe really came into its own. I felt in all aspects of what the shoe needed to do for me - comfort over the long distance, comfort around my foot. I enjoyed the knit upper as my foot did not feel constricted – when you run longer distances your foot tends to swell and you want breathing space. Now, because of the knit upper, it didn’t feel like my feet were being choked. As I got toward the final kms of the marathon my legs were getting tired but with that cushioning it was comfortable.
One big thing I felt was irrespective of the distance, my feet and legs were never sore after any of the runs. I normally feel aches and pains especially after a distance like a marathon but it was really not the case with the METARIDE. It was a great feeling – the shoe is definitely built for the longer runs - making it a comfortable experience. I wish I had this shoe when I did Comrades marathon a few years back!
I now use the shoe for majority of training my runs, irrespective of the distance as I know it will be a comfortable run.
If marathon to ultra-distances or beyond is your thing, then METARIDE is the way forward. For a comfy run that is sufficiently-cushioned – with a shoe that allows for a comfortable feel that is not constricting – you will enjoy every run.
Or, if like me, someone who goes all the way to marathon distance and stops, this shoe will be your best friend in all your training runs or longer-distance races above 21km.
