I have been a reluctant runner on and off for several years, having had to run for the military. As a doctor, I am acquainted with the anatomy of the human body. However, my first few forays into half marathon training were fraught with various different pains. I had very bad foot pain during my first half marathon. My second half marathon, I started having significant hip pain, a condition I had diagnosed myself with called Trochanteric Bursitis. I was able to complete both races but in a significant amount of pain.

At a point shortly afterwards, I had basically stopped running altogether in favor of cycling, which I found to be less painful to my body. I found that I could cycle for several hours and feel relatively refreshed afterwards. But with running, I always felt "beat up" after running for any significant different.

It was not until one of my patients had recommended that I try Chi Running that I decided to give it a try. In short, after reading the book and implementing Chi Running into my runs, I found that I was able to run more than 3 miles (which had seemed to be my limit) without pain. In fact, within a matter of 6 weeks of Chi Running, I was able to complete a half marathon without pain (except for calf cramping because I was going so fast!) and was able to achieve a personal best. This included cramping at around mile 10, at which point I had to slow down but not stop, thanks to Chi Running!

Since then, over the past year, I had trained with the Chi Running marathon book for my first full Marathon in December 2011. Needless to say, with Chi Running, I was able to train up successfully for the full marathon and to do so while avoiding injury!

All this time, I have been lauding the praises of your book, not only Chi Running but also Chi Walking! I talk of your books to my patients at every opportunity and many of them have purchased and implemented your techniques to help them stay active and fit. I have at times felt like an infomercial salesperson when I speak of your books, but the proof is in the pudding! I use myself as an example and many of my patients have given me feedback on their responses to the Chi Running.

I work at a large health organization and we have a health store within the building that I work. I have asked the staff to stock the Chi Running and Chi Walking books for my patients. It has been a hit so far, and the first few patients that have bought the books were not even my patients!

I wanted to thank you once again for your book and allowing me to run more naturally!

Dr. Joe Sumaquial, CA