2011 was a banner year for Brian Pilcher. After earning three medals at the World Masters Athletics Track and Field Championships, he won the U.S. National Masters Track Championship in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meters for men 55 - 59 and then clocked a record-setting 1:12:52 half marathon last month. Now his eyes are set on the Houston Marathon in January where he will make his first attempt to break the American record in the marathon for men 55 and older.
Pilcher exploded onto the Masters running scene just a few years ago and was named USATF and Running Times 2009 Runner of the Year for Men 50-54. His meteoric rise came to a screeching halt in March of 2010 when pain in his hips stopped him from running at all. Doctors determined that Brian had lost the cartilage in his hip and his pain was coming from the bones rubbing together. He underwent surgery to shave down the bones in both hips and anchor the labrum back in place. It was a success, but knee issues soon followed and Brian found himself unable to run for even five minutes. Frustrated with this new reality, Brian searched for alternatives and discovered the ElliptiGO.
Designed by runners, the ElliptiGO is the first outdoor fitness device specifically designed to emulate the running motion. It allows athletes of all levels to get a high-intensity workout without experiencing the repetitive impact of running. Healthy athletes and injured athletes alike have found it the most effective way to get an outdoor running experience without the usual pounding on their bodies, and it has quickly become the tool of choice for a number of 2012 Olympic hopefuls and competitive Masters runners.
For Brian, the key was that he didn?t feel his hip or knee pain when he rode the ElliptiGO, so he could get his training done even while injured. ?I refused to sit and wait for fate to heal my knee; to run again,? he explains. ?I enjoyed riding the ElliptiGO and it kept me healthy psychologically because I was able to get in a solid workout. That?s key for any athlete suffering from an injury.?
After several months of riding, it became clear that the benefits for Pilcher weren?t only psychological. His bodywork therapist, Anita Acevedo, began to notice significant changes in his body. ?What truly amazed me was that his rib cage and upper torso became more upright and in alignment, and his core strength and posture dramatically improved,? Acevedo explained. ?Structurally, the ElliptiGO helped Brian become stronger in both his legs and his lungs.?
?Brian Pilcher?s story really exemplifies what we hear from both recreational users and elite athletes every day,? said Bryan Pate, Co-Founder and Co-President of ElliptiGO. ?The ElliptiGO allows them to get in a high-quality workout, but without the pain they?re accustomed to experiencing in high-impact activities. It?s particularly powerful as a unique way for former runners and injured athletes to exercise again with real intensity, which makes a profound impact on their quality of life.?
After thousands of miles on the ElliptiGO, Brian began to work running back into his life and the results were remarkable. Only nine weeks after being cleared to run again, he finished third overall in the Dipsea Race, one the nation?s most grueling trail races. The following month, Brian went on to earn three medals at the World Masters Athletics Track and Field Championships and became the 2011 U.S. National Track Champion in the 5K and 10K for men 55 - 59. ?I had a huge base of miles on the ElliptiGO, which really helped maintain my fitness until I could heal enough to run competitively again,? Pilcher explained. ?I?m eager to see how much more I can improve my times now that I?ve integrated the ElliptiGO into my training program.?
As if to prove his point, in November of 2011, Brian took 1st in his age group and 5th overall at the World Championships of Elliptical Biking, posting the fastest time ever for someone over 50. He followed that performance up with a 1:12:52 half-marathon, entering the record books with the 10th fastest half-marathon ever run by a 55-year old.????
?We are so pleased to be an integral, ongoing part of Brian?s story and look forward to seeing what he will do at the Houston Marathon in January,? said Pate. ?It looks like he?s got a really good shot at setting an American record in the marathon for his age group and I?m planning to be there to see him do it.?
The ElliptiGO is available for sale at http://www.elliptigo.com and at specialty bike or fitness stores in ElliptiGO?s national dealer network.
For more information about the company and its products visit the ElliptiGO website or follow them on Twitter @elliptigo and Facebook.
About ElliptiGO
ElliptiGO, Inc. is a San Diego-based company that created the world?s first elliptical bicycle. By modifying the elliptical trainer motion and combining it with the functionality of a bicycle, the ElliptiGO? line of bikes delivers a high-performance workout experience that closely mimics running outdoors while eliminating the impact. For everyone from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete, the ElliptiGO provides the most comfortable, fun and efficient way to get outside and be active. The full line of ElliptiGO? bikes is available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and through the company?s website: http://www.elliptigo.com .
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