In 2005, I was training to run my 2^nd marathon and I was determined to beat my last personal record. I signed up for the Rock’N’Roll Marathon in San Diego because of its temperate climate and motivational band music, hoping that it would be ripe ground for a sub-4-hour marathon time.

However my dreams were shattered when halfway through my 5-month training program I developed horrible pains in my shins and calves. Tight, achy, sometimes sharp pain would radiate up my left leg and irritate the bottom of my foot. I would be seen running through Upper Newport Bay (California) limping for the first 3 miles until a combination of adrenaline, increased blood flow, and sheer devotion (or stubbornness!) pull me out of my zombie-hop-shuffle and let me resume somewhat of a more human gait.

Being a physical therapy student at the time, I researched about my pain, the anatomy involved, and how I could help myself through this situation. I tried everything – new shoes, calf stretching, The Stick, exercises, massage … I still continued to limp when I ran. I knew that going to a physician wouldn’t help because he would probably give me meds and tell me to stay off my feet until I recovered. But I couldn’t do that – I had just 1 more month before my race! I approached an esteemed professor at USC to figure out what was going on with me and why I wasn’t doing better. Being the brainiac that all professors are at USC, he diagnosed me right away – Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis. Fabulous, I thought, the signs and symptoms matched my condition perfectly! His treatment suggestion, however, didn’t.

He wanted me to stay off my feet:  Rest, get some manual therapy, and not run. I couldn’t help but disagree. I knew I could run – I just pounded out 16 mi the week before – albeit the 1^st 3 miles of it zombie-shuffling. That’s when I knew that I was stuck. As a runner, I wanted – NEEDED – to keep going. But I also knew that everyone I would turn to would just tell me to stop running.  I ended up finishing my 2^nd marathon in 4 hours 15 minutes. Although generally happy with the time, I knew I could have done better had I not zombie-shuffled the first 3 miles of it.

Back then I desperately needed a safe haven where I could rehabilitate but also have my desire to run heard and respected. My inquisitive self also wondered why I was hurting more on my left leg than my right, why my blisters always looked asymmetrical, whether I was running incorrectly and whether I could run more efficiently. This whole experience is what led me, 7 years later, to design Stride Strong Physical Therapy.

Stride Strong PT is a safe haven for patients to rehabilitate and achieve their goals, whatever they may be.  Our physical therapists must not only treat, but EDUCATE their patients on why things are happening the way they are and what patients can do to help break the pain cycle. My goal is get people back on their feet: running, walking and living life healthily.

In 2005 I needed someone to help me through those first 3 miles. Now let us do that for you.

(For more information on Stride Strong PT clinic visit our Home Page or for more articles written by Dr. Holland DPT on common ailments click here.)