ABOUT THE INVENTOR

Instantly improve your running mechanics to run injury-free --
Never heel strike or over-stride again!!!

Joe Sparks running in the EZ Run Belt

About the EZ Run Belt Inventor

The day I discovered the "Pose Method of Running" was the beginning of my transformation as a runner and a triathlete. The "Pose Method of Running" developed by Dr. Nicholas Romanov, a Russian scientist and running coach for Olympic triathletes and runners, taught me how to be a skilled and injury-free runner. Since learning his method, I no longer worry about getting injured while running on a road's hard surface. This technique has allowed me to run faster, longer and more easily with every step. Learning to master the use of gravity to my advantage has changed the way I run forever. With gravity's assistance, I effortlessly fall forward through space.


It wasn't always that way; running was difficult for me. In spite of this, I immersed myself into triathlons - a multi-sport race that includes swimming, biking and running - for 13 years.  I always excelled at swimming and biking, but running, the final leg of the triathlon, was my nemesis. It required more mental and physical toughness from me than either of the first two segments. In order to increase my speed, I ran hills, did track workouts, put in lots of miles, and did strength conditioning exercises. In spite of these efforts, I got injured. 

It was the summer of 1998. I just finished my weekly workout running up and down hills preparing for my next race. I noticed my knee was swollen and tight. Because it didn't hurt, I thought the swelling and tightness would go away by taking it easy for a few days. Choosing to ignore my knee, I raced the following week. That proved to be a mistake!


By the end of the triathlon my knee was even more swollen and now painful. I went to the medical tent and was devastated when the doctor told me knee surgery was inevitable. He told me that I should stop running and competing in triathlons to prevent further damage to the cartilage in my knee. In the spring of 1999, I had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn cartilage in the left knee. I took the following year off to recover. Slowly, I returned to triathlon competition. Except for the run, I was competing at the same level prior to my surgery. My knee had fully recovered - the pain and swelling were gone - but I was still afraid of running hard on it. I wondered if this would be my final year of doing triathlons. Early in the season, a friend, who was an accomplished world-class triathlete, had just returned from a running clinic and handed me a video tape that would dramatically change the way I run!


For the next six months, I studied the tape, mastered the method and began running better than ever. What I learned about running is that it is a skill by which "you must learn how to overcome gravity by falling forward, lifting your feet up quickly underneath the body, leaning from the ankles and keeping the knees bent". This approach was radically different from how most runners and I were taught. In the past we were told with each stride to extend the foot out in front of the body, land on the heel, and then push off to go forward, stretching the legs out farther to run faster.


Dr.Romanov says,"A skilled knowledgeable runner should be able to work with the force of gravity just as yachtsman knows how to gain energy from the wind. A good sailor can use a headwind to move forward. A good runner taps the power of gravity to gather speed with minimum impact and expenditure of energy." After six months of practicing the "Pose Method of Running" I was sailing past my competitors and having the best racing season of my life.


Team Toledo Triathlon Club members noticed my achievements; some in the club wanted to know what I had changed to run so fast! I happily told them about the "Pose Method of Running". Because of their interest in my success, I was asked by the club president to organize a running clinic. Immediately, twenty-five members signed up. In November 2001, Dr. Romanov came to Toledo for a weekend to demonstrate his innovative method of running to triathlon club members.  After months of perfecting the "Pose Method of Running" on my own, I showed Dr. Romanov what I'd achieved. Dr. Romanov was impressed and invited me down to Florida for certification to become a POSE Method® Coach.  After receiving certification as a "Pose" running coach, I traveled with Dr. Romanov around the country to help him establish the "POSE Method" -- showing runners from all walks of life how to run faster, easier and longer with the only method scientifically proven to reduce injury to the knees by 50%!


As a POSE Method® Running coach, I was looking for something to help my students who were having a difficult time with the training drills. I invented a training belt to accomplish this and it worked! It was the 'tipping point’; they could immediately feel what Pose running was all about  -- pulling the leg up under the hip to maintain a continuous forward movement utilizing gravity rather than working against it. The belt is a fantastic training tool  -- It's simple, easy to use, and it works every time! With my belt, you can more easily transition to the POSE METHOD OF RUNNING and have your best racing season ever!


In addition to teaching the POSE METHOD, offering my exclusive EZ Run Belt, I also teach Yoga (flexibility exercises) and Kettlebells (core training) to improve muscle elasticity -- a major component of running. All classes are offered at my studio: 29101 Hufford Rd,  Graystone Hall, Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551. Individuals or groups who are interested in the POSE METHOD, YOGA or KETTLEBELLS, may call (419-345-0885) or email (joe@joesyogafitness.com) for more information.


I invite you to give it a try!


Joe Sparks

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