Spark Healthy Runner

What can I say other than THANK YOU to Duane and the Spark Healthy Runner program. I had dealt with constant knee pain whenever I attempted to become an endurance runner. The hump felt impossible to get over. I decided to look up a podcast that talked about running with an injury and thankfully found the Healthy Runner Podcast. In a short time I join the 1:1 coaching program. The expertise, analysis, and motivation of the program were incredible throughout! I became pain free a few weeks into my training cycle and never looked back. Duane’s goal is to get you injury free but do it in a way that works for YOU. I was very uneducated when it came to strength training, progressive loading and nutrition. Duane gave me the tools to not only learn about this but apply it to my training cycle! I was able to complete my first Marathon pain free in DC yesterday and couldn’t have done without the Spark Healthy Runner Team!

I have been dealing with IT band syndrome since 2011, as a former elite runner this is a tough and annoying injury to deal with. Due to the on and off flare ups I was not able to run consistently, I got to the point where I was ready to give up running. One day while looking for someone who specializes in IT Band injury I found Dr Scotti's podcast, I listened and scheduled an appointment. Best decision ever!!! After years of on and off pain I am finally able to run consistently! My last big race was in 2018 and a month ago I was able to finish my first Aquathlon! Dr. Duane Scotti is super professional, he listened to all my concerns and made a training plan that not only adressed my injury, he also worked the training around my busy work schedule! I would 100% recommend this program to anyone.

I found Spark Healthy Runner and Duane after years of trying to reignite my love of running. In my 20s, distance running was my life then work, family responsibilities and injuries derailed much of that. Approaching my 40s, I decided it was time to invest in myself and prove I could still do something hard; run a marathon 16 years after my last. Duane guided me through a years long issue Achilles tendonitis in my right ankle, strengthening my other previously ruptured Achilles tendon on my left foot, building my mileage and strength training plan in a safe and manageable way that took all of life's other obstacles into consideration. Most importantly, Duane helped me find my "Why" in all of this. Why investing in yourself is the best investment you can make for your family. An accountability partner, coach and sounding board, Duane was there every step of the way. Fast forward to this past Sunday, I finished the Philadelphia Marathon. I'm fit, healthy, inspired and motivated to continue this next phase of my fitness journey. If this sounds at all like you, I recommend you look no further and call Spark Healthy Runner today.

Coach Lu along with Duane and the Spark Healthy Runner team were instrumental in preparing me for the Lean Hore 100-mile race on August 16, 2024. Coach Lu spent the time necessary to keep my training calendar updated and also check in with me beyond our regularly scheduled meetings. I had attempted the Lean Horse 100 in 2023 and DNF'd at mile 80. The difference in the Spark Healthy Runner and Coach Lu's training approach with me was a major factor in me being able to successfully complete the race this year. I had never had such a tough training load and especially in those peak weeks, but my body had been conditioned thoroughly in the weeks and months prior by Coach Lu and his training plan that I didn't experience any physical injuries or even nagging little pains throughout the training cycle. If you're like me and tired of little injuries always interrupting your training cycles and preventing, you from getting the most out of the training cycle, and also knowing that you can't keep doing what you've always done and expect different results, I recommend you contact Spark Healthy Runner and let Duane team you up with one of the great coaches he has on his team. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to get Coach Lu.

Duane is coach, mentor, friend, doctor, and cheerleader all rolled up into one ball of energy. From the very beginning he was immediately responsive, and put me at ease. I tend to be a very anxious person, especially when it comes to running injuries, and he listened carefully as I described my pain, and was able to target it with workouts specifically crafted for me to get me back on my running game. Duane is the perfect combination of knowledgeable and encouraging, but also realistic and down to earth. He helped me articulate my goals after listening to my long-winded story, but when my PT school schedule got in the way of the training schedule a few times, he quickly adapted the plan to make it work-I still ran my race pain free, and it was glorious!!!! If you are debating whether to spend the money, or think you're too old for running, or just don't think you can do it, stop debating. You are worth the investment. If running is something you'd like to get back to or start from the beginning, there is NO BETTER WAY than through Dr. Duane. He's the best.

I found Duane while desperately listening to podcasts to find the answer to the leg pain that was preventing me from running. He was a guest on another podcast and when I learned he was also from Connecticut it seemed like a sign from the universe. I dove into his podcast head (or legs) first. I started his Return to Run plan after completing physical therapy, and when he announced his Spark Healthy Running Academy I knew I had to join. I am thrilled with my investment. Through the online resources, Academy phone calls, and some one-on-one messages I’ve gotten plenty of good information, feedback, and support to continue on my running journey in a healthy, consistent fashion. Most importantly I’m running without any pain. I ran my first 10k this past weekend, 1500 feet of elevation, without issue. I couldn’t have done it without Coach Duane and Coach Cat’s help. Again, I am thrilled with my investment. It’s an investment in my health, my future and my long term running goals. Next goal? A half marathon!

I have been the happiest runner in the world since discovering the Spark Healthy Runner Coaching Program! Before joining, I had dabbled in running 5Ks and attempted a half marathon about 8 years ago using those online training plans. Not knowing anything about training, I did not realize I was doing too much too soon, and suffered a huge overuse injury to a tendon in my knee that I just couldn’t shake. I finished my half, but not without excruciating pain. I gave up on my running dream. Fast forward to January 2024 - I am trying to get back into it, and very ambitiously signed up for the Detroit Free Press International Marathon scheduled October 20th 2024 (I never claimed to be the sane one lol). While on a run, I started listening to The Healthy Runner podcast. Dr. Scotti and all the coaches blew me away with their knowledge, advice, and upbeat personalities. Through the podcast is where I learned of the coaching program, and I KNEW I ABSOLUTELY had to join. I wanted to be a healthy runner and not a worry runner, which is where I was due to my knee flaring up constantly. I received my free one hour call with Duane, and based on my history and goals he linked me up with Coach Cat. Let me just say I wish everyone had a Coach Cat in their life! She listened and understood my needs and struggles. She developed a training plan designed specifically for me (I felt so elite - a plan just for me! Lol), that ebbed and flowed with my progress. THIS PART IS IMPORTANT: I had that overuse injury flare up about 2 months in and freaked out. Legit tears and everything. Coach Cat calmed me down and assured me it’s not the end of the world and we can work through this. I had my doubts because this was the exact pain that stopped me in my tracks eight years ago. Not only did we work THROUGH the pain and it went away, but I never stopped running in the meantime! Mind freaking blown. From there on, I ran a bonus half marathon in June AND completed my very first marathon in October, both with gas left in the tank! 2 huge accomplishments in one year without a hitch after my initial freak out! I RAN A MARATHON WITHOUT PAIN! I am forever changed and I owe all of it to this coaching program. THANK YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK! I am continuing work with Coach Cat in the Longevity program now, and I’m so thrilled to be here.

I had a terrible case of runner's knee that just wouldn't go away. I had stopped running for over two months and was incredibly frustrated. Luckily, I stumbled into the Spark Healthy Runner podcast as I continued to look for solutions. I was so impressed with Duane's understanding of the injury that I decided to reach out for a consultation. 16 weeks later I am running pain free. I cannot recommend Duane and Spark Healthy Runner enough! As long as you complete the exercises and runs as prescribed and practice patience throughout the process you will not regret it. Thank you Duane!