I wanted to send you this e-mail to let you know what a great product you have. I purchased the Freedom 2000 (running shoe) about 18 weeks ago. I really wanted to run a marathon again. I am now 46 years old, and it has been 23 years since I had run one. I have run two marathons in my life, but that was when I was younger, in my 20's.

My previous ankle injuries playing football in college and additional severe ankle injuries running in my late 20's led to calcium deposits in the ankles. In 1989 I went through six months of intense and painful physical therapy to my right calf muscle. The Achilles tendon had been damaged severely, due to my continuing to run on an injured calf. I gave up running more than 12 miles in a week due to a weak calf muscle that would get injured. I was ready to give up running entirely.

In the past two to three years, I have tried to stay in shape and gain some distance with my running. I had seen an orthopedic surgeon one year ago. He showed me my x-rays and diagnosed arthritis in my ankles, along with many major calcium deposits. He said I should give up running long-distance, but then he said if I really wanted to run again, to try Z-CoiL® footwear. It took me nine months to finally buy a pair at Smiley Feet in La Mesa, CA. Before purchasing the Freedom 2000s, I could not run more than two miles without stopping and I could not run on consecutive days without re-injuring my calf muscle. Your Z-CoiL® shoes gave me new life. It allowed me a chance to get the “gait” that I used to have. The shoes absorb so much shock that they allow me to run whenever I want. I want to tell everyone in their 40's up or anyone with a leg injury that this shoe can change their lives. I am now running 25 to 30 miles per week and can travel a full 9-mile run with hills without stopping.

I believe this shoe would be a great training shoe for anyone running a lot. It reduces the chance of injury. It's like letting your body only absorb one half as much impact as any other high-priced running shoe. The Z-CoiL® shoes just absorb the impact so well. Before buying the Freedom 2000s, I thought I would never run another marathon. I now know that I will run the Rock-N-Roll marathon in San Diego on June 5, 2005. With any other shoe, I would not have been able to do this.

I have a large pile of running shoes (not Z-CoiL® brand) in my closet and garage.

I have recently gone running in some regular, top-of-the-line running shoes and really felt great . . . much younger. I was faster in regular running shoes, but it was the Freedom 2000 that got me to that point. In regular running shoes, I feel the impact and have more knee strains and possible calf injury.

I love the Freedom 2000. Tell all the “40-somethings” that this shoe gives their lives back. Without a doubt, one of the best products I have ever purchased. The Z-CoiL® shoes give you your life back! Sorry for the long message, but I can't say enough about your product!

Update June 28, 2005: I ran the Rock-N-Roll marathon in San Diego on June 5th. My goal was to finish in under four hours. I sustained a minor ankle injury at mile four due to certain race conditions. With concentration and the help of my Z-CoiL® shoes, I was able to finish in four hours and twenty minutes. I will continue to use Z-CoiL® shoes for 50% of my training. It is an excellent shoe for training the “heel/toe-heel/toe” method.

Lee
Carlsbad,  CA   USA