I think I like my new shoes even more. They are a brand I have never heard of that begins with an M. What I definitely love even more is the level of service I received from start to finish from your store employees/ partners/ associates/ or whatever the proper term is. I crew for the AVON walks every year AND I walk at least 45 miles a week, so comfortable shoes are a top priority for me. I was very dissatisfied with the treatment I got at Footlocker when I bought my ($120) Nikes, and that made my experience all the more wonderful when Amanda took the time to make me feel comfortable and welcome, rather than simply another random person to sell shoes to.

Believe me. I am no Hollywood movie star, so I am used to reluctant assistance from retail sales people. Amanda's caring professionalism was the antithesis of the usual treatment I receive. Given the fact that I will most likely never meet her again, it is imperative (to me) to ensure that her value as a retail representative of your organization goes noticed.

I can spot a "retail smile" (a fake one) instantly, and I was astonished by the simple sincerity of Amanda's genuine smile. She seems to really care about the experience her clients have, even though their interaction is short and probably infrequent (sorry, but I only need so many shoes at any given moment). Given that I am finally becoming accustomed ever-worsening service at ANY retail establishment, the treatment I received at your location, the professionalism, courtesy, and genuine friendliness of your staff made a lasting impact on me. (I also like the shoes!)

Thank you for a great shoe-buying experience. I will keep your business card and hen next I need athletic shoes I will do my best to stop in, and I *certainly* will highly recommend your store and staff. Just remember what great people you have working with you, lest they slip away.

~Dusty W.

Making it through 50k!

Well, after much anticipation, the Noble Canyon 50k finally took place!

Coming off the Angeles Crest 100, I was unable to run for two weeks due to ankle and knee injuries. Dr. Runco saved the day once again and treated me several times for patella tendonitis and ligament damage in my ankles. Due to my recovery, I had serious concerns about my ability to perform at the Noble Canyon 50k.

I wish to send out a big thank you to Dr. Runco at The San Diego Running Institute for his help in mitigating my injuries prior to the race. Without his assistance, I would not have made it to the starting line.

Jerry
Team Endurance Racing Family

Hey Doctor Vic,

Its me Dillon Breen you know Tina Breens son the kid who had the gastroc thing injury. Yeah, I would just like to inform you that the rest of my cross country season was horrible after that injury, but........ my track season was fantastic!!!!

I got first (for JV) in the two mile every duel meet and got first in the mile sometimes. My first two mile time at the beginning of the season was 12:03 and my mile time was 6:15 but by the end of the season at league final my two mile time was 10:46 and my mile time was 4:56. I got fifth in the two medal (got some bling) and seventh in the mile (was 4th till the last 40 yards) but I did great.

Attached are three pictures 1 at a duel meet at MV (the Dirt track) and 2 from league (one running look for maroon and long hair and one on the winners thing) I also recently at the first XC invitational of the season at west hills I got 12:23 on a 2.1 mile course and got 12th (more bling) with my time I made Fifth man Varsity.

Most importantly I just want to say Thanks a lot Doctor Vic I'll come to you anytime if I have anymore problems

Your friend In Running
Dillon Breen

Dear Dr. Runco and staff:

Thanks to all of you I was able to achieve a second place finish in my division at the Imperial Beach duathlon (8/07). I am so pleased!

I needed to get orthotics and shoes. It was really down to the wire. My orthotics arrived on a Friday and typically the good Dr. doesn’t come in on Friday’s.

When I came into the store on Friday, to my delight, Dr. Runco happened to be in the office working on some other things. He stopped everything he was doing and helped me find shoes and fit my orthotics! He seemed to do this with pleasure and enthusiasm.

The staff and Dr. Runco are really willing to do what they can to help performance, reduce injury, and create healthy and happy athletes to achieve peak performance.

Thanks a million
Alyssa Freas

Dear Dr. Runco,

Because Southern California is a mecca for athletes, it goes without saying that ads for chiropractors and athletic injury specialists are all over the place in LA and San Diego. That makes choosing the right doctor kind of crapshoot. I’m a triathlete, and at age 41, I had the first knee injury in my life. A knee injury for the sedentary is a mentally bad thing, but a knee injury for a runner is even worse. Getting taken out of running at this age had me extremely concerned about what that would mean when I get older.

I tried a bunch of chiros, but my primary dissatisfaction was that as good as they might be at adjustments, they weren’t runners, and thus, the focus was on getting me walking again, but not necessarily competitive. Knee injuries are tough things to diagnose; I needed someone who was not only a chiro/injury specialist, but an athlete – someone who would understand the competitive drive to be out there running, swimming, biking as soon as possible. After nine months of struggling with this injury I came across your ad in Competitor.

You not only isolated & diagnosed MCL injury right away, but you emphasized using any and all techniques (chiro, acupuncture, ultrasound, EMI, and other non traditional Asian methods) to heal it, with surgery only as the absolute last resort. No athlete in his right mind wants to undergo surgery if there’ a more holistic option that works. After a mere 4 weeks of therapy, I was on the treadmill, and 2 weeks later, I was out on the blacktop again, running the bluffs in North County and happy as hell to be out there again. I’m fired up & very happy I found you.

Your staff (the Kristas –squared) was extremely courteous & knowledgeable and you are very educational about what each therapy is intended to do. I’ll be recommending any other athletes to you in a heartbeat.

Thanks very much,
Chaz Siu

I wanted to write and say thank you. I just finished the three day yesterday and thanks to your “blister clinic” I was able to actually finish this event. Blisters? Oh yes, we are old friends now! Something you said in passing stuck with me and I tried it and wow! What a difference! I had four bad blisters and dug first into my sewing kit. I grabbed a needle threaded with white thread (I thought the dyes may have bad something in them). I took an alcohol swap and ran it over the needle then down the thread. I then ran it through the edges, in one side and out the other, leaving about ½ inch on each side. I slapped some 2nd Skin on it and wrapped with Kinesio tape and the blisters gave me no trouble at all!

Unfortunately my knee gave out completely going from the holding area to the closing ceremonies, but I was caught and with a great deal of help I was able to “walk” to the ceremonies. After looking at the principles of this tape I have to wonder if there is a way to use it to reinforce my knee, but that is another subject all together.

I am definitely a Kinesio convert! I even helped a lady who needed some “moleskin” she said. I taped her up with some 2nd skin and moleskin and she took off. I never saw her again! LOL! I guess it worked well! I used it on my wife when she started feeling hotspots too and it kept her from getting blisters.

All in all, I think this stuff is wonderful! I am walking again next year (as soon as I can get this knee to heal we’ll start training) and I will be by to order some more tape and second skin!

You are a wealth of information!
Thanks for all your help!

Mike
San Diego, CA

Hello!

I was in your store a couple of weeks ago and was fitted with a pair of shoes and inserts. I just wanted to let you know that they have been the best thing ever for my bad knees.

Thank you to your entire staff for their hard work and dedication to making walking that much more comfortable for me!

Regards,
Jessie Hobbs
San Diego, CA

Gina, I am writing you to express my appreciation.

I came in last week to be fitted with the correct running shoes and you spent quite a bit of time to take foot measurements and analyze my gait on the treadmill.
I consider the service I received to be professional and well informed. Thank you so much.

Lou L.
San Diego, CA

After a new pair of shoe and a single gait session with Gina, Georgette B. of New York, NY wrote:

"I want to thank you and SDRI for teaching me how to run...correctly! Who knew I'd been doing it wrong all these years and years. I no longer get neck strain, pain in my low back or pain in my right knee. I can also run further with more energy and no injury. It's amazing what a difference it makes after correcting my posture, my gait, arm motion, using the right shoes and even the right sock. You changed my life. Thank you.”

“I won my age group in the 5K on Thanksgiving and my running is much less painful that it has been for a LONG time. So I just wanted to say thank you very much. The pain I have had my right foot and right calf is not nonexistent, but real close to it. It is amazing what a difference you have made and I just wanted to thank you.”

Larry W.
San Diego, CA

“Thank you so much for finding the perfect running shoe for me! The expertise you offered allowed me to train for my first half marathon without any foot problems/injuryies whatsoever. The pair of shoes you chose for me have performed beyond by greatest expectations. I can't wait for my next race! Thank you so much!”

Laura S.
San Diego, CA

After gait sessions with Gina, Bob B wrote; “I actually ran better than I thought I would today. On the three mile effort, the miles went 6:39, 8:16, 6:34. The second was a little slower than it probably should have been, but not too bad. I died on the last quarter of the last mile. I was actually on about a 6:15 pace up until then. I also did some strides afterward - just for mechanics sake.

I'm also sure my posture is better, as I had no idea it was a problem until you mentioned it. I think it allows better leg recovery and relaxation while running. There was a time in the last mile where I actually felt pretty decent. Maybe the hills stimulated something. See you Thursday.”

“After doing my first marathon, I decided to work with Gina. I'm really thrilled with the progress I've made. She's fit me with the right shoes and improve my gait and stride. What a difference it's made!”

Cammy W.
San Diego, CA