Joe Cook - I started running at the age of 25 after my aunt asked me to run a half marathon with her.  Having never run before, except those mandatory runs in gym class, and having asthma, I was intrigued, but extremely nervous.  I began running in my store bought shoes, but quickly discovered the agony of shin splints.  After visiting a running store, they informed me that I over pronated and my shoes weren't helping me.  They fitted me into a pair of Asics which helped stabilize my stride.  I trained for 4 months getting ready for my first half marathon.  Ran the OKC Half Marathon in 1:58:26.  I was hooked...and sore.  Hello IT Bands!  I just assumed this was part of it.  Ran 7 more half marathons over the next several years.  Same results, IT Band swelling = painful recovery.  I loved running, but this was getting old.  I wore enough KT Tape on my legs, I looked like a robot. Not to mention the chiropractor adjustments on my back and neck.  At a race expo, fate stepped in and I was introduced to Newton Running.  These guys changed my running life.  They looked at my stride and saw that I was heel striking on every stride.  They put me in a pair of Sir Issac's.  These shoes trained me to run more on the front part of my foot, landing more center, thus reducing impact on my body.  I noticed a difference almost immediately.  Next 2 Half Marathons were my best ever.  No IT Band issues, no back issues, no shin splints!  I  was convinced.  Proper gear makes all of the difference. Now I am training for full marathons and loving every mile of it. 

​by George Sheehan is "The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more 
and more life."