I’m running LA because there’s just something special about running in your own city. This will be my fourth LA Marathon so I love that it still challenges me in a different way every year.
I started noticing something felt off in my knee right as I was ready to pick up the mileage. It freaked me out to be honest, but I’m so thankful that I found PT Mike Herrera who took time to figure it out and who is also a runner, so understood a lot of the emotional and physical aspects of the injury.
I was adamant about not wanting to go somewhere and pay someone to just give me exercises to do at home, and watch me foam roll, but it’s been so much more than that.
Life has gotten in the way of some training runs, but I’ve embraced it. I tried to shift my focus this time around to be on strength, nutrition and just taking care of myself. Here’s to hoping it pays off, but enjoying the journey either way!
– Dana
The reason why I initially started running was to lose weight and get my health back on track. I wake up every day feeling blessed to have the opportunity to run and get back into shape while being surrounded by encouraging people, and that’s what motivates me. I can’t thank Evolution Physical Therapy for how much they have helped me prepare for the marathon with proper stretching, strengthening, core stabilization, balance and stability exercises!
– George G.
My boss inspired me to sign up for the LA marathon. I have done a half before and wanted to see how I could push myself physically and mentally. PT has helped strengthen my legs and glutes. I have found a new love/hate relationship with single leg strength work. Chelsea has been such a help through it all. Couldn’t have done it without her ◡̈
– Samantha C.
I signed up for the LA Marathon to challenge myself, and challenge me it did! But for every bit of challenge came amazing support. Early morning long runs were made easier by fellow runners I now consider life-long friends. A stall in my training was restarted thanks to Evolution and my amazing PT Kathleen. I’m so grateful to the community and support that helped me get to the start line!
– Aili
Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Michael Gonzalez and I am originally from Texas. My wife and I are both in the Air Force and are currently stationed in Los Angeles – we’ve been here since October 2017!
My first marathon was in 2018. I didn’t train much and ended up running a 4:17:34. A few months after that marathon, I was peer pressured by some friends to do a triathlon and immediately fell in love with the sport. I hired a coach and saw my times improve, but I still wasn’t happy with my run time. I knew if I wanted to get better, I had to increase my mileage – and what better way to do that than to commit to training for and running the 2020 LA Marathon! I joined some local running groups, hired a running coach (Cheyne Inman) and got inspired by my newfound running friends and their seemingly crazy goals. I went from wanting to run a 3:30 marathon to being convinced that I had a sub 3:10 marathon in me. That new goal meant I was running 60+ miles every week, and that’s when my body started to fight back.
I originally went to see Devin at Evolution Physical Therapy for knee and calf pain – and over the next few months he helped change the way I trained. He opened up my hip mobility, showed me exercises to relieve pain and tightness in my calves and achilles, helped me with ankle strength, showed me techniques on how to prevent major injuries, and taught me how to properly stretch and recover so that I could perform better overall. I ended up running a 3:09:41 at the LA Marathon and I could not have done it without the help of Devin and Evolution Physical Therapy. Devin from Evolution was a true game-changer in my injury prevention, training, and overall performance on marathon day! Evolution Physical Therapy was a true “Blessing” to my LA Marathon journey!
– Michael G.