Thankfully, the surgery was a success and over the last decade I’ve grown to love swimming, pilates, and yoga, especially because I learned through those practices how essential an intent awareness and constant readjustment of one’s form are to being pain-free in any exercise. But there’s nothing like running, and I was determined to find a way. Not too long ago came across Dreyer’s book, which was a fabulous discovery. Before, when I’d try to reintegrate running into my routine post-surgery, back pain and shin splints were inevitable no matter how conditioned I was. Now, I have absolutely no pain! Though I’m working back into things gradually, I can’t wait to start seriously training for my first 10K, which will be my first competitive run in 14 years. I’ve always dreamed of running a marathon, and hope I’ll be able to do so in the coming years.

Remember what it was like to run as a kid? I never thought that as an adult I could once again experience that light boundless movement, those same fluid strides of my elementary days. But I have, and without pain! Yay! =D I’m completely inspired, and think that anyone who wants to start running, even after a serious injury, should at least take a look at this book and the techniques. Haven’t read the book on the Pose method that Kelly mentioned, but certainly plan to.

I take vinyasa/flow classes, and the endless variety of poses keeps me engaged in what I am doing, in tune with my body, and teaches me how to activate and work into those deep muscles that tend to tighten up when I run.

It will also help alert you to alignment issues you have that could be negatively impacting your running.