Hi, My Name is Billy....

Hi, my name is Billy. (Group: Hi Billy)

Hi, my name is Billy, and I'm a heal striker. (Group: Billy, you are among friends, talk to us.)

I am now in my 4th full year of running competitively in triathlons and marathons. 2006 was my first WR marathon (4:09) and 2007 was my first (and currently only) half ironman. Each year since I have done the White Rock Marathon (that's 3 total so far) and each year I've done more sprint triathlons and 5k's than the previous.

It was on March 29th, 2009, a really fun 5k in Heath, Texas, when it was brought to my attention that I am, in fact, a heal striker. Not just any heal striker, but a BAD H.S.! I was running in concrete bricks for shoes that had a bed mattress for cushion, which prevented me from noticing the enormously inefficiently running action that I was producing.

First things, first, I dumped the old bricks of shoes and got myself some very light Asic Trainers. It helps that they look really cool. Now, the hard part. I need to change my entire running form to get OFF of my heals as a point of impact and onto my forefoot. Easier said that done when you have as miles as I do logged in the past 4 years. It is said that up to 75% of all runners are heal strikers. Well, I was/am one of them.

NOT ANYMORE! I have been told how to change it and it's going to take a lot of work. Most of the exercises include barefoot drills on a football field to train my muscles of the new form.

My wife Katie was heavily involved in Track & Field for over 10 years of her life. She began as a 800 runner and transformed into the quarter and 300 hurdles in late High School. All of them tough races. She successfully ran in those events up into college at Texas A&M University (Whoop!). In fact, she walked onto the Varsity Track team to run the quarter and 400 hurdles. Although, God had other intentions for her... It's a long story, but basically her knees could no longer take the pounding of sprinting. The Throws Coach, "Chico", as he was so affectionately called by everyone, happened to overhear Katie say that she played volleyball in club and high school for the past 5 years. She was invited to try out for the Javelin Throws Team.... the next thing we all know, she is competing in Big 12 Championships, Regional Championships, and even National Championships. She is usually most modest about the final feather in her cap.....her Junior year at A&M was 2004, and due to her results at NCAA Nationals...had qualified for a spot at the USA Track & Field Nationals for the OLYMPIC TRIALS!!!

There is a reason for this background of Katie and her Track & Field knowledge. When I told her I had been deemed a....(shutter)..."Heal Striker"... she simply said, "You never asked".

Point of this story: Never forget the resources that are immediately under your nose.

P.S. My sister Chandler also ran heavily in high school and at Texas A&M (Whoop!) on the Varsity Cross Country Team. Here is a young lade that was logging over 60 miles a week. She was also very good.... and would probably give me the same response: "You never asked".