“I am an endurance athlete who has completed 3 Ironman triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run), multiple shorter distance triathlons and countless running races. After taking some time off, I decided to try my hand at an ultra-marathon with hopes of completing a 100 mile run. I was training for my first 50 mile run. On a short, easy run I stepped off a curb and hurt my back. It was bad enough to halt my training and forced me to take so much time off that I had to bail out of the race. Since that time, I was mentally spent and could not come around to doing any other races. For about one year I talked about racing again and just never got around to it. At my wife’s urging, I started to look for another race and began to take my training and back rehabilitation more seriously.

Amanda (my wife) urged me to sign up and train for the Holcomb Valley 33 mile race in June 2009. I paid the fee, and began training. Running enthusiasts love to talk about shoes, training, and anything else that may help their performance. In these talks and while doing some research, I heard about the benefits of insoles to provide additional support and cushion while a person runs. I came across the www.RxSorbo.com site and found that insoles containing Sorbothane had many positive reviews so I decided to give them a try. My choice in insoles was the Sorbothane Ultra Orthotic Arch because I have flat feet. It took a few runs to get used to them, but I was quickly becoming a fan of the way my feet felt in them.

My training consisted of 50-60 miles per week in varying terrain and several training runs in altitude since the run would take place in the mountains of Big Bear, Ca. I would run long (2 to 2.5 hours) twice per week and sometimes had another run later in the day after those long runs. I had some 1 to 1.5 hour runs, and several half hour to one hour runs. Typically I would take one day off and just lift weights but did not run on that day. Race day was quickly approaching, and I was able to do a self supported marathon. This day, I left the house with a backpack full of water, food, and asked Amanda to pick me up 4 hours later! This is the best I had felt in years.

Race day provided me with ideal weather conditions and a beautiful race course. The race was on dirt trails, fire roads, and the popular Pacific Crest Trail. It had a lot of hills, rocks, and steep climbs. Throughout the race, my feet barely ached which was a great relief. From other races, I was used to hurting feet but I think the running surface and the use of the insoles helped the cause. I was very smart with my pace and therefore my legs and lungs kept up with my mind’s will to go, go, go. I had conserved energy which allowed me to stay strong at the pivotal 20-25 mile mark. I stayed on track with my nutrition and having run part of the course knew that the last 3 miles would be steep downhills, dangerous, and fast. My goal was to finish in 5 hours and 30 minutes but I had a finish time of 5 hours and 47 minutes. Had I not spent time joking around at the aid stations and taking pictures with my family I would have come in closer to my goal. I finished top 20, with no complaints. I think I am back on track with the physical fitness and mental attitude necessary to be an endurance athlete. I’m happy that Amanda nudged me to race, and I am happy to have found a pair of insoles that I love to run with as much as  I love to run with my dogs. I look forward to another race, and my pair of trusty Rx Sorbo Insoles.

-Manny”

RxSorbo

Sorbothane, Inc.
2144 State Route 59

Kent, Ohio 44240
1.877.797.6726

Email support@rxsorbo.com

www.rxsorbo.com
www.sorbothane.com