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Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

Functional Training // Injury Rehabilitation // Running Analysis

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    • Fireside Chat with David Jennings, DPT – “Improving Mobility for Runners”
    • Core Training for Runners (FREE Webinar Replay)
    • ‘In the Spotlight’ with Mary Lynn Griffin
    • Pelvic Control: The Overlooked Link to Better Running Performance & Injury Reduction (FREE Webinar Replay)
    • Fireside Chat with Jill Merkel, RD – ‘Nutrition Tips that Last Beyond New Year’s Resolutions’
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Fireside Chat with David Jennings, DPT – “Improving Mobility for Runners”

February 22, 2021 · by Garrett McLaughlin

Welcome to the Fireside Chat! This series was designed to provide runners and the general population easy to absorb information regarding running mechanics, nutrition, strength training, and injury prevention. As the series progresses, we will cover a myriad of topics and speak with different professionals in the health & running community.

In this 7th edition, we had a great conversation with guest, David Jennings. David is a physical therapist in Nashville, Tennessee with a wealth of knowledge in the orthopedic space, but specifically regarding running-related injuries.

Have you been suffering from lingering tightness and immobility? Do you want to improve mobility but don’t know how? David has you covered with some fantastic information that can be immediately applied to your situation.

In this Fireside Chat, we covered a variety of topics, including…

  1. Background and experiences (1:05)
  2. What is mobility? (2:32)
  3. Conditions associated with immobility (5:30)
  4. The take home message on stretching (8:10)
  5. Is the muscle actually tight? And strategies to address muscle length (11:52)
  6. Range of motion during running (20:40)
  7. Things to check (27:23)
  8. Q&A (31:39)

Click the video below to instantly watch the replay of this chat!

Did you enjoy this Fireside Chat and are interested in learning more about upcoming segments as well as high quality educational content for runners? If so, click here to join the Ignite Your Run private Facebook group. The Ignite Your Run group is a FREE community for runners to learn and interact in the journey to become the best version of yourself possible. You can also click here to view the resource page containing previous Fireside Chat’s and webinars.

Here are additional resources regarding today’s chat and how to learn more about physical therapy services from David Jennings…

  • Email: DavidJ@PerformancePTTN.com

Thanks for watching!

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

Fireside Chat with Jill Merkel, RD – “Debunking Food Rules & Myths”

July 27, 2020 · by Garrett McLaughlin

Welcome to a brand new series called the “Fireside Chat.” This was designed to provide runners and the general population easy-to-absorb information regarding running mechanics, nutrition, strength training, and injury prevention. As the series progresses, we will cover a myriad of topics and speak with different professionals in the health & running community.

In our first segment, we were fortunate to have guest Jill Merkel, who is a registered sports and women’s wellness dietitian in the Nashville, TN area. Over the last 3-4 years, Jill has been a tremendous resource to my clients as the nutrition component is often very misunderstood in the running community. She has tons of knowledge and experience in the nutrition field and can very easily simplify complex topics in a way that leads to better execution and reliable long-term results.

In this Fireside Chat, we covered a variety of topics, including…

  1. The impact of low carb on energy levels (8:05)
  2. Weight gain during the pandemic (19:09)
  3. The difference between foods being filling vs. satisfying, and why both can be important (28:52)
  4. How to get in contact with Jill (31:59)
  5. Q&A (36:05)

Click the video below to instantly watch the replay of this chat!

Did you enjoy this Fireside Chat and are interested in learning more about upcoming segments as well as high quality educational content for runners? If so, click here to join the Ignite Your Run private Facebook group. The Ignite Your Run group is a FREE community for runners like you to learn and interact in the journey to become the best version of yourself possible.

Here are additional resources regarding today’s chat and how to learn more about Jill…

  • Website: www.jillmerkelrd.com
  • Intuitive Eating Small Group: https://www.jillmerkelrd.com/intuititve-eating-support-group
  • Nutrition for Runners Webinar: https://www.jillmerkelrd.com/runners-workshop

Thanks for watching!

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

‘In the Spotlight’ with Vivian Davis

January 15, 2020 · by Garrett McLaughlin

In this edition of ‘In the Spotlight,’ let’s talk with Vivian Davis. I have had the pleasure of working with Vivian since March of 2019.

Vivian started with my hybrid training option which includes a monthly in-person consultation/evaluation and individualized program for her to complete on her own. Following my re-location to Michigan, I have been fortunate to continue working with her remotely.

Due to Vivian’s injury history, her primary focus was to reduce the likelihood of injury while also achieving a marathon P.R. and increasing bone density. Strength training can play a big role in accomplishing each of these goals and she continues to push the needle every month. In fact, Vivian consistently performs extremely well on our quarterly performance testing and is one of the only women I know that can knock out 8 chin-ups. Will we be seeing 10 from here in the next few months?!? I’ll guarantee it!

Now don’t get me wrong, Vivian is strong. But, it’s her dedication, hard work, and consistency that makes her one of my favorite people to work with.

Without further ado, let’s shine the spotlight on…

Vivian Davis

Q: Where are you from?

A: “Franklin, TN.”

Q: What do you do for work?

A: “Pinnacle Financial Partners.”

Q: When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: “Running. That’s about it. I am a pretty boring person.”

Q: What are the top reasons you enjoy running and staying active?

A: “It has been a great stress reliever and has allowed me to meet some amazing friends, not to mention the great health benefits.”

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be? Why?

A: “Don’t laugh, Franklin, TN. It is all that I have ever known and I love it. However, I think Florida sounds pretty tempting. I do like warmer weather.”

Q: What is your biggest running and/or fitness accomplishment to date?

A: “Being able to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon.”

Q: When you first started working with Garrett, what were the goals you wanted to achieve?

A: “My biggest goal was to try and remain injury free. I have had numerous injuries over the years and it would be nice to stay away from the PT office for a long while!”

Q: Were there any specific motivating factors to incorporate a more structured strength training/injury prevention program into your routine?

A: “Yes, as I age my body does not recover as quickly so anything I can do to prevent injury I see as a plus.”

Q: What are the most noticeable improvements you’ve seen so far?

A: I feel stronger in my runs and seeing my progression as the weight has increased over the last year. Also, the quarterly testing has allowed me to see that as well.”

Q: Has there been any areas where you feel like you haven’t improved or seen results as much as you’d like?

A: “I am still working on balance and stability. I am seeing improvements, but possibly due to my scoliosis, that has been still a challenge.”

Q: What is that one thing you dislike the most but continue to work on because you know it will help?

A: “Upper body training.”

Q: How do you feel Garrett’s services may differ from other professionals in his field?

A: “My workouts are specific to running with still giving me overall body strength. He is familiar with all the running injuries and underlying causes. That is why I chose him. I can do strength training on my own, but I don’t have all the knowledge and expertise that he has to help me along. I also like that I am held accountable.”

Q: Looking ahead, do you have any new goals or races you are working towards in 2020?

A: “Obviously my biggest goal is to remain injury free or close to it.  However, a bonus to this training besides running injury free is it can help me to become stronger and more efficient which allows me to become faster.”


Thank you for reading this ‘In the Spotlight’ segment. And, a big shout out to Vivian Davis! To learn more about the Healthy Running program, please click here.

Become a Faster Runner: 6 Strategies to Increase Your Running Speed

October 21, 2018 · by Garrett McLaughlin

Increasing running speed can often leave runners frustrated and burnt out. That’s because so many are set in their ways of completing long slow distance runs, without intermixing other strategies that truly impact running speed.

When approaching the question, “How do I get faster,” there are several different pieces to the puzzle. On one end of the spectrum, we have running-specific strategies such as: tempo runs, track workouts, and hill repeats. Each of these can be meticulously programmed within your training plan to increase running speed and reduce overall running time.

On the other hand, we have specific characteristics within the human body which can be addressed with movement-specific strategies, such as: strength training, power training, and plyometrics. These are ways to improve the body’s ability to function effectively at higher running speeds. But, they need to be combined with running-specific strategies for the most reliable results.

Since I’m a big believer that we should stay in our lane and not dispense information outside of our expertise, I have teamed up with local running coach Jenny Clayton, of Clayton Performance Coaching, to provide you with the running-specific strategies. Combining both of our approaches and putting in the work should allow you to finally increase your running speed and achieve that P.R. you have been chasing.

But before we dive in, let’s take a second and introduce running coach, Jenny Clayton…

“In junior high and high school, I enjoyed running on both the track and cross country teams, but I didn’t truly invest in the sport until much later in life. In 2010, well after becoming a pharmacist, wife, and mother, I ran my first half marathon. At the finish line I thought to myself “I think I could be kind of good at this!”

Eight years, five Boston marathons, many miles, and an RRCA coaching certification later, I love running more than I ever have. I’ve certainly had my share of performance ups and downs, but the sport has brought me so many great friendships and experiences along the way. I also discovered that helping other people achieve big goals is more rewarding than I ever thought possible. Because the Boston Marathon is such a special race to me, helping clients achieve their Boston qualifying time has become my niche, and by far, my most favorite area of my coaching practice.”

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson


Many new runners, particularly new marathoners, approach their training with a “just run” attitude. Each training run might be of varying distance, but the speed and intensity are essentially the same from one run to the next. This absence of more speed-directed training could be due to a number of factors, including a lack of experience, knowledge, and/or running foundation. Athletes miss out on such a huge potential for speed improvement by not including specific workouts of higher/varying intensity into their training. Three important strategies that have become the cornerstones of speed development in distance runners are track workouts, tempo runs, and hill repeats. Keep reading for a more detailed description of each of these strategies.

Track Workouts

In very general terms, track workouts that include regular interval work at prescribed paces are reserved for more serious, goal-oriented runners. The natural progression for new half marathoners or marathoners is to go from running all of their training runs at about the same “easy pace”, to adding in a weekly speed session to include a workout of faster, shorter repetitions. Typically, runners who are willing to commit to this addition to their training will see dramatic performance improvements.

Speed training conditions the intermediate fibers of working muscles to be able to shoulder some of the burden when slow twitch muscle fibers become fatigued over long distances. This leads to improved coordination, resulting in enhanced running economy. Multiple bouts of high intensity repetitions also trigger important physiologic adaptations, such as increased myoglobin production (important for the transport of oxygen to working muscles) and initiating increased glycogen storage. No less important is the mental aspect of speed training. The focus and mental toughness that develops with regular speed work will be invaluable on race day.

A speed workout progression over the course of a training cycle depends largely on the event for which the athlete is training. A runner training to gain speed for a shorter event, such as a mile race or a 5K would benefit from speed workouts that include shorter, faster repetitions, like 100 and 200 meter repeats at near maximal effort with a pre-determined recovery interval to follow each (i.e. 30-60 seconds). Half and full marathoners would more likely begin their speed workouts with longer repetitions in the 400-600 meter range. One commonly prescribed beginning workout for marathoners is 10-12 x 400 meters followed by an easy-paced 400 meters after each repetition for recovery.

Tempo Runs

The term “tempo run” is growing more and more difficult to specifically define. One athlete might define it as a long, sustained effort at/around marathon race pace. Another might argue that the pace is significantly faster, approaching 10K race pace, but the distance of the run is not intended to be quite as long.

Common themes are that tempo runs are run at a pace faster than “easy pace”, but much more sustainable than “all out”.  Also, tempo runs are generally performed at steady state for the duration of the run, with little (if any) pace variations. Athletes training for longer distance events (15K and above) will get the greatest benefit from these longer, sustained efforts.

The reason for this is an improvement in lactate threshold which is not as important an adaptation for shorter, faster events such as the 5K. A common approach to incorporating tempo runs into marathon training is to begin with a distance of 3-4 miles at a pre-determined “tempo pace”, and increase that distance weekly as race day approaches.

Hill Repeats

Hill repeats have often been called “speed work in disguise.” Athletes will obviously not be able to target the same fast paces that they would during a track workout, but these workouts still provide a huge potential for strength and power development. The short, intense bursts of intense effort create a significant stimulus for improved running economy. Further, running uphill tends to encourage a desirable running form, since the natural inclination is to lean slightly forward from the ankle (rather than the hip) during the climb. As with track workout, hill repeats offer a mental benefit. If a runner becomes accustomed to working hard on hills, his/her perception of the flat portions of a workout or race will be that they require significantly less effort.

As with other strategies for speed development, the programming for hill repeats depends greatly on the goal distance to be run. A typical example of a hill workout for early in a training cycle would be 8-10 reps of 30 seconds uphill @ 5K effort, followed by a walk or very slow jog back down the same hill to recover. The length of the repeats can be gradually increased over the course of the cycle. Sometimes, the biggest challenge is finding a hill that is steep and long enough to accommodate the duration of the repeat.


Now you should have a better understanding of ways to target speed within your running plan. Next, let’s look at how to improve the body’s capacity to tolerate the higher intensity training and faster running speeds with the following movement-based strategies.

Strength Training

Strength training is always a worthwhile and rewarding strategy for runners in order to be faster, speed up recovery between runs, and increase resilience to injury. But, unless you are lifting a heavy load, “traditional” strength training of 3 sets of 10 repetitions has limited carryover to running speed.

To better understand what is needed to become a faster runner, it all comes down to motor unit recruitment. A motor unit refers to a nerve and the muscle fibers that it innervates. Therefore, it’s essential to complete a movement or exercise that recruits as many motor units as possible to best translate over to running speed.

How do you do this when it comes to strength training? You either lift a very heavy load for low repetitions. Or, you lift a light load very quickly (explained more in the power development section). Too often do people stay away from these strategies in order to build strength and endurance. These characteristics are still needed to be a successful runner, but heavy and explosive lifting will more reliably make you faster.

Some strength training exercises which would be valuable are the back squat, front squat, romanian deadlift, deadlift, and rack pull. More important than the exercise itself is the repetition scheme. The load has to be heavy and completed for a recommended 4-6 sets of 2-6 repetitions. This rep scheme should be modified depending on where you are in relation to your goal race, as running mileage needs to be considered. Also, beginners in the world of strength training might benefit from learning form and technique in the 8-12 repetition range before implementing a heavier or more explosive lifting style.

Power Development

As quickly introduced above, power development is a style of resistance training that moves a light to moderate load very rapidly. The goal is to recruit a large amount of muscle fibers to move the resistance quickly throughout a desired range of motion. This targets the same faster twitch fibers that provide the speed and elasticity during running.

Because our primary goal is explosiveness and acceleration, you cannot sacrifice speed for load. This means the load needs to be monitored closely to determine the point where the rate of acceleration starts to plateau or decline. If you are no longer being explosive because the load is too heavy, than you lose the ability to target the fast twitch muscle fibers.

Power development can be instrumental in creating that “kick” to push up a hill or pass a competitor. It also has a dramatic impact on running economy. When you incorporate strategies that improve elasticity and tension within the musculotendinous unit, their ability to recoil increases thus leading to better running economy.

Various examples of exercises that fit within the power development category are hang cleans, hang high pulls, power shrugs, snatch, and dumbbell snatch. Similarly to the strength training recommendations provided above, it’s important to keep repetitions low in order to maintain the integrity and explosiveness of the lift.

Despite being a great way to become a faster runner, these movements are more technique-intensive and take time to master. That is why I often utilize heavy strength training and plyometrics, while teaching the basics of power training over an extended period of time.

Plyometrics

Last, but certainly not least, we have plyometrics. Plyometrics are more easily accepted in the world of distance running. That’s usually because they can be incorporated as a prep before your run or in a gym-setting, and are more readily found in running magazines.

Similar to power development, the goal of plyometrics is to move a relatively lighter load (your bodyweight) as quickly as possible. I always recommend learning the basics of landing-based plyometrics first, which emphasize shock absorption. Because who wants a fast car with no brakes?

There are several different kinds of plyometrics that I will explain below:

  1. Landing-based plyometrics
    • These consist of an explosive jump and stick landing. Although a great addition to any program, they are not the best for improving running speed. But, they can provide strong improvements in terms of shock absorption, stability, balance, and tendon/joint health.
  2. Plyometrics with no countermovement
    • These consist of an explosive one effort jump with no pre-load or pre-tension on the musculotendinous unit. Therefore, your body must be ready to jump without loading prior.
  3. Plyometrics with countermovement
    • These consist of an explosive movement where you quickly load the muscles prior to jumping. This quick action utilizes the stretch reflex and usually leads to a more powerful subsequent jump.

Throughout the years, I have seen runners completely overlook the benefits of plyometrics. Simply adding them after your warm-up and before your run is a great way to reap the benefits. Some of my favorite plyometric drills are: single leg jump & stick, bounds, ankle hops, and squat jumps. When incorporating these, your main goal should be to increase the explosive nature of the movement with a quick transition from landing to jump.

Once again, fatigue can be your enemy! Incorporate plyometrics in low repetitions and with ample rest between bouts. Once your body fatigues, it greatly diminishes the explosiveness of the movement and is therefore less targeted to fast twitch fibers.


Now that you understand the various running and movement-based strategies, its important to decide which will be the easiest first step to becoming a faster runner. Start by making a few small changes that require the least effort and greatest likelihood of success. In the end, it’s about doing the small things very well and consistently that will provide the best results.

Questions about the running-based strategies or want more individualized running coaching? Use the contact information below to contact Coach Clayton:

Jenny Clayton

  • Clayton Performance Coaching
  • Email: Coachjclayton@gmail.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPCoach/

Questions about the movement-based strategies or want more individualized movement coaching? Use the contact information below to contact Garrett:

Garrett McLaughlin

  • Email: Gmac922@gmail.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmclaughlin922
  • Click here to download the FREE Building the Bulletproof Body Guide for Runners

Thank you for reading this article! Please comment below with any feedback or questions.

In the Spotlight: Margaret Galloway

September 9, 2018 · by Garrett McLaughlin

In this edition of ‘In the Spotlight,’ let’s talk with Margaret Galloway. Margaret has been enrolled in my individualized programming option for 8-months now and I cannot be more impressed with her progress. Just recently we completed a re-evaluation/testing to gauge progress and determine the best next step for her program. Well… she blew it out of the water!

When I think about Margaret, what comes to mind is consistency and patience. Some movements which include single leg balance and stability were challenging at first. But, Margaret realized this meant she had to focus more and work on them regularly to get the results she wanted. And that’s exactly what she did.

Just a few months back, Margaret fractured her elbow. For most this would’ve completely stopped any progress while things healed. Instead, Margaret decided to work on the elbow with PT while continuing to use strength training on her unaffected side, core, and lower body. There were plenty of excuses to be made but we were able to create a program that was mindful of the elbow while still targeting the key areas which would move her closer to her goals.

Here we are 8-months later with great progress due to her consistency and determination. With that being said, I am very excited to see how she finishes the year!!

Without further ado, let’s shine the spotlight on…

Margaret Galloway

Q: Where are you from?

A: “I am originally from upstate New York, the town of Saranac Lake near Lake Placid.  Before moving back to TN in 2014, my husband, Tom, and I lived in Byron Center, MI near Grand Rapids.”

Q: What do you do for work?

A: “Both my husband and I are retired.”

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: ‘Well, based on the amount of time spent, you could say running and training are my hobbies J.. Other than that, I like to read, to experiment with photography, to be outdoors, and to go RVing with Tom and our lovely Australian Shepherd, Lil.”

Q: What are the top reasons you enjoy running and being active?

A: “Maintaining my health, mobility and strength as I age is the top reason, But I do it because I love the way I feel after running or training; it gives me a sense of accomplishment and calm and improves my outlook.  The camaraderie and accountability I find from working with Garrett and training with Fleet Feet keep me coming back for more!”

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be? Why?

A: “I wouldn’t live any one place.  Rather, I’d fulfill the dream of traveling this beautiful country in an RV, exploring national parks and catching up with friends and family.”

Q: When you first started working with Garrett, what were the goals you wanted to achieve?

A: “I wanted to get stronger to supplement my running, and I wanted to improve my balance.  I also wanted to learn from Garrett about functional movement; I am fascinated and amazed by the capability of the human body.”

Q: What motivated you to work with Garrett and/or start making changes in your routine?

A: “I was first introduced to Garrett at a strength session at Fleet Feet.  I was impressed with his knowledge, his professionalism, and his clear desire to help runners become stronger.  Since I was enjoying running so much (I only started in 2014), I knew that to get better/faster I needed to get stronger, and I knew Garrett could help me.”

Q: What are the most noticeable improvements you’ve seen so far?

A: “This is a great question as I just completed my best strength training evaluation.  My single leg split squat numbers are two to three times better than when I started with Garrett in October 2017.  I can hold a front plank for three minutes and was actually able to do four TRX pull ups having barely been able to do one at the beginning.  All this, despite working through a broken elbow early in 2018, is quite encouraging.”  

 Q: Were these improvements easy to achieve? And, tell us a little bit about any struggles along the way.

A: “No, the process can be pretty humbling!  It takes a lot of discipline, dedication, and self-acceptance to get better.  I think the single leg deadlift will be in my corrective program forever J, but I recognize that if I don’t focus on balance, my running will suffer as will my general movement as I age.  I had a lesson in patience as I worked my way back from my broken elbow.  Garrett did a great job adjusting my program to accommodate the limitation; I had to stick to the training schedule and do my best.  Strength changes arrive quietly.  They show up during an evaluation or during a run or simply doing everyday tasks.  It’s fun to notice them, pat yourself on the back, and then get back to work!”

Q: What is your favorite part about the Individualized Exercise Programming option that you are enrolled in?

A: “That it’s individualized and that it’s so well supported by Garrett, his videos, and his steadfast availability and encouragement.”

Q: What is that one thing you dislike the most but continue to work on because you know it will help?

A: “Take a guess… the single leg deadlift!  Enough said!” 

Q: If there is one piece of advice that you could provide to yourself when you first started this program, what would that be?

A: “Trust the process, accept the progress, recognize that improvements are often subtle but sometimes surprising…”

Q: How do you feel Garrett’s services may differ from other professionals in his field?

A: “Garrett’s is the first individualized strength training program I have ever done.  It’s been a great experience for me, and I have a strong suspicion his programs stand out above the rest.  As I mentioned earlier, Garrett’s knowledge of functional movement, practically demonstrated and customized to your needs, makes his services worth the investment.  Also, Garrett is easy to work with and always fair and encouraging.”

Q: Looking ahead, do you have any new goals/races you are working towards?

A: “I’m doing the Fleet Feet Speed + Play program.  Since I’ve spent no time on a track and am in total learning mode, it’s a challenge aimed at completing a November Half in under 2:30.  We’ll see…”


Thank you for reading this ‘In the Spotlight’ segment. And, a big shout out to Margaret Galloway! Please feel free to comment below with any questions or feedback.

In the Spotlight: Kim Pettit

February 11, 2018 · by Garrett McLaughlin

We are back at it with another edition of the ‘In the Spotlight’ series. This month we have Kim Pettit, aka 110%. Kim earned this nickname in the Group Functional Strength & Mobility program where her effort is always top notch!

Over the past year it has been a pleasure working with Kim. She always bring with her a positive attitude and superb work ethic. Despite some obstacles throughout her marathon training (see below), Kim stayed consistent with the basics and was able to overcome. The result was a well-deserved first marathon completion this past November.

With 2018 being well underway, I am excited to see what Kim accomplishes this year!

Without further ado, let’s shine the spotlight on…

Kim Pettit

Q: Where are you from?

A: “I was born in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and lived there through a lot of my childhood.  I’ve lived in the Nashville area since my 30s.”

Q: What do you do for work?

A: “I’m a program manager in software development and have been with my company for 18 years.”

Q: When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: “Hiking, spending time with my daughter, white water rafting.”

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be? Why?

A: “I don’t really have an ideal “location” in mind, but it would definitely be somewhere in the mountains, and nearby waterfalls would be a must. Great views to see the sunrise and sunset, feel the crispness of a cool morning, watch the birds and animals, and just being in the beauty of this world.  Being out in nature makes my heart happy!”

Q: What are the top reasons you enjoy running?

A: “It keeps me active and challenges me. I have a pretty stressful job and am tied to a desk all day long.  Running gets me up and out the door.”

Q: Recently, you ran the Marine Corps Marathon… How did that go? And, do you see other marathons in your future?

A: “The Marine Corp Marathon was my first marathon and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. 6 months of training (most of it the TN summer heat) meant getting up at 4am each day to get my runs in before work. I still look back on it and can’t believe I ran 26.2 miles, but I was successful because I put in the work, including incorporating Garrett’s strength training into my routine.  As for future marathons, probably not.  Running the race wasn’t really that hard, but the training was pretty intense. I think I’ll stick to half marathons- still challenging, but not near as time consuming.”

Q: When you first started working with Garrett, what were the goals you wanted to achieve?

A: “I had signed up for Garrett’s emails quite a while ago and had also been Facebook stalking him for a while and was really impressed with his knowledge plus his willingness to share things.  I had been having some nagging hip pain off and on for several years and finally decided to contact him in the hopes he could help me (see below for more details).”

Q: What motivated you to work with Garrett and/or start making changes in your routine?

A: “I started seeing Garrett in Feb 2017 due to a nagging ache on my right side. After a functional evaluation, he quickly diagnosed my problem and set me up with a plan to help me get things back aligned.”

Q: What are the most noticeable improvements you’ve seen so far?

A: “After just a few one on one sessions with him, I could tell a big difference in my running and my pain was gone. I now do a dynamic warm up before my runs, which was never part of my routine. I have since joined his Monday strength training class, which is the highlight of my week. He is wonderful to work with, listens well, and alters things as needed, especially if you are training for a race. His ART sessions are FABULOUS and I am 110% positive his assistance helped me have such a good marathon experience.”

Q: What is your favorite part about the sessions?

A: “The Monday night class is a small group which allows Garrett the ability to watch everyone and ensure we are doing exercises correctly.  Doing them incorrectly doesn’t add any value and could actually do more harm.  We also laugh a lot, and I really look forward to this class.  One on one sessions give us the opportunity to focus on those ‘trouble areas’ and to put together some exercises to strengthen those areas.  Garrett is not just a physical therapist who gives you exercises and then walks away while you do them (that has happened to me when working with other PTs), he is also a trainer, and he wants to make sure you are successful, so he is fully engaged when working with you.”

Q: What is that one thing you dislike the most but continue to work on because you know it will help? 

A: “I am super weak in my core- I still can’t do a normal side plank (have to do a modified side plank) and often can’t finish all of the core stuff, but I keep plugging away.”

Q: How do you feel Garrett’s services may differ from other professionals in his field?

A: “After a functional assessment, Garrett designs a plan to specifically help with whatever you need. It’s not a cookie-cutter ‘here are the standard exercises for your type of issue’.  As a runner himself, he understands our aches and pains and addresses concerns with compassion. His individualized plans incorporate strength training, mobility, and flexibility. He really does care about each of his clients- we are not just the next appointment of the day.”

Q: Looking ahead, do you have any new goals/races you are working toward in 2018?

A: “I haven’t run a half marathon in several years so plan on doing at least one and maybe two this year. I’ve also signed up for a part road/part trail half marathon just for fun.”


Thank you for reading this ‘In the Spotlight’ segment. And, a big shout out to Kim Pettit! Please feel free to comment below with any questions or feedback.

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