Thanks to ChiRunning, I’ve been injury-free the past three years and just finished the 2011 Boston Marathon in 2:59, my fastest marathon since I was 21 years old back in 1989. I’m now 42, have been running since I was 11, but only in the last few years, after reading ChiRunning and putting in practice its techniques, has running really been pain free and as enjoyable as when I first started three decades ago. My time progression at the Boston Marathon the past three years has been 3:14, 3:05, 2:59, and I know I can knock some more time off in the coming years!
I suffered severe quad pain for years after any hard or long run due to overextending and heavy heel striking. Thanks to ChiRunning and some great guidance from my brother Mark (a 2:37 Boston Marathon at age 44), I shifted my running form and my entire approach to training. It’s not about the miles, it’s about efficiency and no pain. I also ditched the bulky running shoes and have been running in Newton’s for the past year. I had the pleasure of meeting Danny Dreyer at this year’s Boston, and relayed to him the techniques that really hit home with me after reading his book: posture, swinging your legs behind you, cadence, and use of your arms. It definitely works!
Neil C
