Personalized Services

When I reached out to ARC Running, I had just signed up for the Chicago Marathon and didn’t know where to start. I never really considered myself an athlete, despite having completed several half marathons, and usually experienced knee pain during the training cycle. One training cycle went so poorly that I took two years off running to rehab. So, I knew that if I was going to complete the marathon, I needed the help of a coach.

I reached out to several coaches, and the passion, experience, and general vibe of ARC Running’s Joshua Grubb seemed like a good fit. I started with a gait analysis and was advised on several changes to mitigate the recurring knee pain. As training progressed, Joshua set up personalized plans tailored to my lifestyle and goals. Any question or concern that I had along the way was met with thoughtful responses. Within a few months, I felt stronger than ever and was pain free! Later that year, I completed the Chicago Marathon feeling strong from start to finish. I learned so much this past year about how to improve my running form and safely progress loading to prevent knee pain. I am so thankful I found ARC Running!

While training for the New York City Marathon, I pulled my hamstring. This was painful, not just because it hurt, but also because it looked like I would not be able to run the marathon. I heard about ARC Running and scheduled a session with Eric who showed me the problem. He evaluated my flexibility and right away noticed that my quads were very tight—basically hard as a rock—which put more stress on my hamstring. The solution was to foam roll the quads, stretch, and complete some loading exercises. After a few weeks of this, the quads become much less tight. I still do this regimen and I have had no problems since.

I recently experienced calf pain while training for a half marathon. I took a few days off and slowly ramped activity back up, but had no improvement. Without understanding what the actual problem was, it was a challenge to rehab appropriately. My partner, a runner and personal trainer, suggested I reach to ARC Running to get an informed opinion, which seemed much easier than trying to schedule a session with a local PT, navigate insurance, etc.

The initial virtual consultation with Eric was really easy to set up and proved insightful. Eric identified that the pain was related to some nerve tendinopathy, provided some action steps, and checked in weekly to ensure my progress and to increase the complexity of the rehab exercises. It’s been over a month, and I’ve not had any recurrences of the issue since being back into half-marathon training!

Having navigated a few injuries over the years, one of the key differences in working with ARC Running is that they are knowledgeable not just about physical therapy, but about running. Working with someone who understands runners really sets up the recovery for success—not just for getting back to pain-free running, but successful training. I highly recommend the services they provide, and will definitely reach out if I have issues again in the future.

I came to ARC Running because I was having consistent knee pain every time I ran. I also have four small kids and getting to a physical therapist multiple times a week isn’t really an option. I met with Eric virtually soon after reaching out to ARC Running. After going through some assessments, Eric figured that I had a slight hamstring strain that caused the knee pain. I would have never been able to self-assess that! We started physical therapy exercises and increased them each week, eventually leading to short, slow runs. In a few months I was completely pain free! The whole process was so easy and informative. I was even able to finish my marathon!

I began to experience knee pain while training for an ultra. About a month out from the race, I reached out to Eric for guidance. He directed me to one of the ARC Running recovery pathways, which helped me get to the starting line without further issues. I like how the pathways were very step-by-step with the instructions, pics, and videos helping a lot. Now the knee is doing great. I appreciate the help, and am still doing some recommended exercises to keep up mobility as I have a big race coming up soon.

I don’t consider myself a runner, though I did participate in some high school track and cross country before some back injuries became too limiting. Year later, I was very hesitant to take up running again, but I completed a running form analysis with the ARC Running coach, Joshua, a couple months before my marathon. Joshua gave me great feedback and tips on how to train and incorporate different exercises before my runs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my back that ended up hindering my training, but major foot pain. I felt defeated. That’s where ARC Running came to save the day. Its physical therapist, Eric, deduced that my pain was from cuboid syndrome, and gave me a list of exercises that I completed religiously. Gradually, my foot began to feel better! Ultimately, with the support of ARC Running, I was able to finish my marathon! I’m so grateful for Eric and Joshua!

A third of the way into half marathon training, I started feeling persistent calf pain. I didn’t know what else to do but call my doctor who just confirmed that I had a calf injury and to lay off it for 2 months—without any other guidance. Encouraged by Eric’s response in a Facebook group to a woman who also had an injury, I found my way to arc-running.com. Eric helped identify my injury as a calf strain and gave me a plan to recovery. He was there every step of the way. After we got my calf under control, I worked with Joshua who helped me develop a safe training plan to get me to the finish. Not only did I finish my race, I felt great after—with no pain! I learned so much about how to better strengthen my body for running and new ideas for training. I now continue strength training influenced by ARC Running exercises and, with Joshua’s help, have returned to my goal of a sub 2-hour half marathon! Thanks ARC Running!