Success Stories: How Proper Technique Transformed My Running
“I thought pain was just part of running fast—until it wasn’t.”
If you’ve ever pushed yourself in training only to be sidelined by injury or frustration, you’re not alone. At FreeToRun, we’ve seen firsthand how proper running technique can completely transform performance and longevity. But perhaps no story illustrates this better than my own.
The Problem: Pain with Progress
Twenty years ago, I was an aspiring triathlete with a strong swimming background. I was competitive in the water and holding my own on the bike. But running? That was the limiter. The faster I tried to go, the more my knees screamed back. I figured I just needed better shoes—or to tough it out like everyone else.
Eventually, I saw a doctor who told me, flat out:
“You should probably quit running.”
That felt like the end of the road. But then came the turning point.
The Breakthrough: Learning the POSE Method
One night at a local triathlon meetup, I overheard a guy named Mike Maggio talking about “running form.” Honestly, I had never heard anyone use that phrase before. I always thought you just… ran. Some people were fast. Some people got injured. Some people had better shoes.
Mike introduced me to the POSE Method, a technique rooted in physics and biomechanics that teaches runners to use gravity, body position, and natural reflexes to run more efficiently and with less impact. I signed up for his clinic, skeptical but curious.
What happened next changed everything:
My knee pain disappeared that same day.
Not only that, but I started running 7-minute miles at the same heart rate I had previously been holding for slower paces. It was as if someone had taken the brakes off my stride.
Technique Over Gadgets
Learning POSE taught me that performance and injury prevention aren’t just about gear. It’s not about the shoes. It’s not about the supplements. It’s about movement. How you move matters.
I wasn’t alone in this discovery. Over the years, I’ve coached hundreds of runners—triathletes, marathoners, first-timers—who experienced similar breakthroughs when they stopped muscling through the miles and started paying attention to form.
What Can Good Running Technique Do for You?
- Reduced chronic injuries (knee, hip, shin pain)
- Improved running economy (same effort, faster pace)
- Increased confidence and longevity
- Better race results without more training hours
And the best part? It’s accessible. You don’t have to be elite. You just have to be open to learning something new.
🏃♂️ Want to Experience the Same Breakthrough?
Join us for our next Running Technique Clinic hosted with Ready to Run on Saturday, June 7 at 8 AM. We’ll do before-and-after video analysis, teach you the fundamentals of efficient movement, and give you drills you can use right away.
Use promo code R2R to save $25
👉 Sign up here
You don’t have to quit running. You just have to learn how.
