How did the Orange Shoe Gym staff help you set your goal?
During my first personal training session, my trainer talked to me a little bit about my "athletic history" as well as my past injuries. I never had thought of myself as an "athlete". Nor did I think I was joining the gym to become one. My expectations were only to get in better shape and help myself cross train. I explained to her that I was a recreational runner. I told her that I had just injured my rotator cuff a little bit, but I was visiting a physical therapist. She asked me to perform a number of tests on my shoulder as well as analyzing my running gait (running stride). Amazingly, she picked out an ankle injury I had in 10th grade! Also, she helped me see how my running efficiency could be improved. Then, she showed me how my rotator cuff wasn't improving because it wasn't my rotator cuff that was injured. Instead, a muscle behind my scapula had gone into spasm (seized up) and needed to be brought back into a functioning mode. Without expectations, I left there with a great number of goals! I was working on my shoulder problems and improving my running efficiency. My trainer always asked how I was improving. They kept tabs on me and gave me a ton of support. I felt like my improvement was as important to them as it was to me. Within six months, my shoulder was at 100% and my running had improved dramatically! With those results, I found something inside of me that wanted to set bigger and better goals.

What type of fitness program did you follow?
As a runner, I used the trainers' expertise to my advantage. They helped with my speedwork and endurance. My foot and leg injuries were at a minimum since much of the stability exercises focused on injury prevention. My training program also helped me develop a stronger, leaner body. It also helped my focus of form vs. function.

How long did it take you to achieve your goal?
It was a matter of months before I saw results. But, my real goal was to break four hours in a marathon. I had been trying to achieve this for two years, barely missing two times. Ten months after I joined, I ran the first marathon since I joined Orange Shoe Gym. The Chicago Marathon had been a real monkey on my back in terms of breaking four hours. In 2003, I ran it in 4:03 and made a promise that I would return to break four hours. I did the usual training methods for marathons. In 2004, my finish time was 4:10. After joining Orange Shoe Gym, I killed my four hour goal. I ran in 3:36! Four weeks later, I ran the Philadelphia Marathon and broke that record when I ran it in 3:31!

What was the most challenging part of achieving your goal?
By far, the most challenging part of it all was just walking through the front door. Some days, you want to stay in bed or meet friends out for a beer and skip your workout. But, by simply getting there and investing an hour in myself, I walk out thanking myself.

How did Orange Shoe Gym help?
They helped me understand that if I have low expectations for myself, then I will receive little results. When you dedicate yourself to a goal, you have something more than 'just a goal', there's something more karma about it. The people at Orange Shoe helped me gain endurance, a better focus as well as a place where everyone wants you to achieve your goal. I've belonged to other gyms. Some trainers are really good at handing you photocopies of training programs for your goals. This gym is dedicated to supporting you all the way

How has your life changed as a result of working at Orange Shoe Gym?
I feel healthier and have a ton of endurance. I have gained some new friends. The best part is that I find that there's more to life than work and bills and cleaning the house. I feel like an athlete. I never thought of myself that way before. Now when I run races, I find that I'm competing on a level that I never thought possible.

What is your current goal and how are you working to achieve it?
My current goal is to return to Chicago and break 3:10. Don't ask me how I'll do it, but I'm sure Orange Shoe's personal training and support will play an integral role in my development to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

What has been your favorite part about working out at Orange Shoe Gym?
It's a place for me to focus on my well being as well as my next race. With two kids and a wife who works full time, there's little time left for the gym. Orange Shoe has a great way of being a place where I can pack in my workout inside an hour.

Why would you recommend Orange Shoe Gym to others?
The people at Orange Shoe are dedicated to your goals. When you walk in for the first time, their first question to me was 'How do you want to improve?'. When I told them I wanted to run a better marathon time, one trainer told me that I could break my best marathon time by twenty minutes. I rolled my eyes and continued with the gym's tour. Eight months later, I broke my marathon time by thirty minutes. The results surprised me. When you hit those personal goals, it only inspires you to achieve more.