Two few weeks ago I started to change the way I run by doing forefoot strike running during my training sessions. And today, I've seen results that I never expected to have so soon.

I took part in a half marathon today. There were many runners and I was there, planning to apply what I've learnt. When the race began, I started running in my own pace...neither fast nor slowly. In the kilometre nº3 I realised I was the last one...probably because as I was using my "old fashion way of running (heel strike). When I saw that I was the last one, I kept in mind to keep running using forefoot strike this time. Incredibly, I started to speed up little by little...and I reduced my "regular" timing in a half marathon from 2hr.32min to 2hr.17min. Anyways, I was very happy because I reduced my timing in a half marathon. But I never thought I was going to win.

So, when my name was called for the 3er place in the category "women - all competitor, 20 to 39 years old" I couldn't believe it!!! I asked. "Is it meeeee??" and then...I jumped onto the podium...and I cried of happiness. 

I said "it is the first time I am given a prize... I cannot believe it...thank you!!"...

I wanted to share my happiness with you all. Every change brings good things.

Since I started to run in 2006, I've never had anyone to guide me in my first steps in running. Some years later, in 2008, I joined a running team in which I've been given some tips on running, but nothing related to how to run. As I had to leave my hometown, I could not continue training with them :( . I had to become my own personal trainer.LOL.

I have always used the heel-strike running form, thinking that it was the correct way to run. However, after running long distances in the same way for almost 5 years, I realised that I have not improved my running very much. I am able to run for several hours (6 hours, 10min), but I have always done it in a way that I got some backache when I finish running. I thought it was "normal". But of course, when you get into the subject, you want to know how to improve your timing, technique, and pace, and most important of all, how to avoid the pain in my back. That's why I started to do some research on running and I found the book "Born to run".  

While reading it I understood that there was a different way of running: Barefoot and/or fore-foot running. So then, I found this website and the video "Drills and Technique". I watched it and studied it attentively.

I thought it was going to be really hard to change the way I've been running all these years...especially 

because I have no other help but this website. It is different when there is someone there to guide you when you are running.,, a coach... But well... I decided to put into practice what I learnt from the video.

Yesterday, I ran up and downhill using the fore foot strike technique for about 7,5kilometres. I felt my running very different.It was light and comfortable...not heavy at all. It reduced my timing in 30 minutes. I couldn't believe it. I did not feel any backache or pain in my knees...it was incredible. In my 5 years , it is the first time I felt no pain in my running. It was very strange at first when I started, but later, my feet started to get used to the new way of running.

I understand that it will take some time to get used to it, but I think it is a good beginning to my new way of running :)

Thank you Eric. ;) Your videos are really useful.

After reading the book "born to run" (Spanish version), I thought how wonderful was to know that we were born to run. I never thought of that before.

I started running in Nov 2006, when all of a sudden I made up my mind and I decided to run. I must say that at that time, I was really big (I am 5,2 ft and my weight was 190 pounds,). I had never gone on a diet and I was never worried about it. I had always been fat ... but then, I just got tired of being fat and decided to do something about it.

Most of my friends started to laugh when I told them that I was going to start running. They didn't believe me at all. So then, I promise to myself that no one was going to let me down on this.

In Nov 2006 I signed up to the Nike 10km with a friend. None of us had run before. So, when the race began, we were so nervous that we never thought we were going to be able to finish it. We celebrated every kilometre achieved and we took pictures of it. We got to the finish line in 1 hour, 30 min. but we were the happiest people in the world.

Since then, I haven't stopped running.  It has brought to me only good moments, new challenges and a new body. Now, I am not obese and I am always trying to keep fit . I have improved myself in different categories: 10km, half-marathon and marathon. I celebrate every moment, especially when I finish the marathon... it is just an incredible moment :)

Now, I started doing trail running. My new challenge is to be able to run 50 miles. That's why I started looking for information about how to improve myself to achieve that goal and I found the book "born to run" which led me to this website too. (I heard about Eric there). It is a great book!

When I started running, I was 27 years old. (Now, I'm 32). Sometimes it is said that running is only performed by people who are fit and young. I can say that everybody is able to run at any age. It does not matter whether you are fat or old. It is a matter of willpower and perseverance. 

Was I born to run?  The answer is yes. :D , and I am a very proud to be a runner. :)