Here at Newton Running, we love hearing from our fans. Co-founder Danny Abshire recently received this email from a supporter in Venezuela:

Hello Danny!

You might not remember me since you talked to so many people during the NYC Marathon Expo. I’m the guy who helped you with the Spanish speaking clients. My Name is Luis Bavaresco. I am from Venezuela and I wanted to thank you for treating me so nice. I’m attaching my picture with you!

I first heard about Newton shoes early this year when I talked to a runner friend who bought them during a trip to Orlando, FL. I usually just don’t take the word of some friend so I went to your website, started reading the information and watching the videos and immediately liked the logic behind your theory. I’m a mechanical engineer and it just made sense to me…efficiency! So I decided to try them and the result of this “experiment” plus our training program resulted in PB for the half marathon (2009 Lima, Peru Half Marathon 1:50:36) and Marathon (2009 NYC Marathon 3:59:25). For me that means improving PB by 10 minutes on the Half and 32 minutes on the Full. I might not be an elite athlete but for me this kind of improvement is tremendous and very satisfying and I owe part of this to your theory and your product (for me the Motus). I definitely like people who think out of the box.

I ran NYC marathon wearing our national flag and Newton shoes and I had the best time.

Thanks a lot again and I hope we can stay in touch.

Regards,

Luis Bavaresco R.

Congratulations Luis!

We stumbled upon this fun story of a budding (?) relationship from blogger Lola Runs, who is chronicling her adventures in the world of online dating on her blog. LolaRuns’s second date with ‘BoyGenius’ turns into a discussion of natural running form and Newton Running shoes. Will true love ensue?

LolaRuns goes on a second date with BoyGenius

One day after LolaRuns first date with BoyGenius, BoyGenius text LolaRuns to request a second date. A second date would be lovely LolaRuns responded.

Throughout the week, leading up to the date schedule for Friday, November 13, BoyGenius and LolaRuns text about BoyGenius’s running program and Newton running shoes. Please recall that LolaRuns hasn’t been running because of a pounding ache in her lower back when she attempts to run. When LolaRuns shared this information with BoyGenius during the first date, he immediately peppered her with questions and concluded that it was her running form that was producing the back problems.

Him: “What is your running style? How do you land? Are you a heel striker?”

Me: “I tend to lean back and strike with my heel.”

Him: “It’s your running form. You need Newton running shoes. They have a patented technology with exposed grooves that encoourages mid to forefront running. Let’s walk over to the Potomac Running store and I will show the shoes to you. You have to strike with your midfoot or forefoot if you want to run healthily.”

This is where cute BoyGenius even demonstrated the proper running form while walking on Market Street. LolaRuns was a bit smitten at that point.

The texts during the week followed the same vein with questions about LolaRuns workout – the stairclimber for an hour for the past two months – and the new Newton training shoes that would be available in the next month. BoyGenius also encouraged LolaRuns to check out the Newton web site and watch all the videos – which LolaRuns promptly and attentively reviewed. LolaRuns was sold on the Newtons – and quite possibly on BoyGenius.

Read the rest of LolaRuns’s post here. I don’t know about you, but I’m sure rooting for BoyGenius!

For those of you who will be at the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, here’s a special offer. Two-time world champ and all-around nice guy Craig Alexander (aka Crowie) will be doing an exclusive Q & A session and autograph signing on Friday morning. Coffee and bagels will be provided. This session is free and open to the public, but you must have a ticket, which are only available at the Newton booth in the event expo area. There are only 100 tickets available, so get yours soon! Tickets will be available Wednesday morning starting at 9 a.m.

Crowie is not racing the 70.3 this year (he won the race in 2006), but we have high hopes for Chris Legh to podium.

Check out this awesome series of messages sent to our co-founder Danny Abshire, from 71-year-old Gerry Forman of San Diego:

From: Gerry Forman
Sent: Sunday, Apr 5, 2009 at 4:31 PM
To: Danny Abshire
Subject: Thanks

Hi Danny,

I just wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying my Newton’s that I bought a couple of months ago from you at Nytro. Today, I ran 8 min faster than last year and 3 min faster than my goal, at the Carlsbad 5k. I really owe it to your 20 min tutorial out in front on Nytro that morning, along with watching the video and the great shoes. I had LOTS of questions about the shoes after the race and took several people over to the booth. I was so pumped, that they gave me a Newton visor complimentary! Also, I was impressed with the Woman’s Masters winner representing you guys. And, yesterday, at the IM 70.3 in Oceanside, I was working the finish line and watched Matt come in first with his Newtons! Great representation again. Next year at the Carlsbad 5k my goal is to win my AG.

I”m looking forward to continued success and plan to wear my Newtons proudly and help you spread the word.

Thanks again,
Gerry

From: Gerry Forman
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 4:31 PM
To: Danny Abshire
Subject: Re: update

Hi Danny,

Here are my results for the year.

1st AG Spring Sprint May San Diego
4th AG SDIT Olympic June San Diego
1st AG Encinitas Sprint July San Diego
2nd AG Solano Beach Sprint July San Diego
1st AG Camp Pendelton Sprint Aug San Diego
1st AG Mission Bay Sprint Oct San Diego
1st AG San Diego Classic (inaugural race USAT) Oct San Diego
“Rookie of the Year” San Diego Tri Club

I’d say that’s a good testimonial for no injuries, a little bit of luck, a small age group and NEWTON’s! I train in the Motion Stability and race in the Distancia S. Love them both. Going to try and qualify for worlds in Budapest next year. Take care Danny, and keep making great products. Hope to see you in San Diego soon…maybe at Nytro again? By the way, I’ve got a great pic of Michelle Jones and me taken after the Spring Sprint. She is such a classy lady.

Gerry

From our inbox…

I had a medial meniscus tear several months ago. Surgery was performed to remove the fragment. I started running several weeks later in my regular shoes. During and after each run I had worsened knee pain and swelling. I saw an advertisement for Newton shoes and bought a pair. From the first day that I ran in them, I have had no pain at all. I am a forefoot runner by nature, and the shoes have been perfect for me. Not only has my knee pain completely resolved, but previous back pain, which I had after running, has also resolved. Running simply feels easier in these shoes. Thanks for the product.

Sincerely,
Dr. Marc Levy

This post comes to us courtesy of Major Scott LaRonde, who organized the first-ever Iraq Freedom Livestrong 10K on October 25. Major LaRonde contacted Newton about the race a few months ago and we were proud to lend our support. We provided shoes to all the podium finishers as well as t-shirts and giveaways.

According to the Major, over 615 participants ran the 10K course through the Green Zone and over $21,000 was raised for cancer research.

Men’s Podium
1st: John Nasasira (36:21)
2nd: Robert Sekitto (36:32)
3rd: William Garrett (36:36)

Women’s Podium
1st: Karen Spangle (42:30)
2nd: Amy Burlingame (42:32)
3rd: Jessie Hoelting (42:50)

The team at Newton Running extends its deepest gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Services who are serving our country at home and abroad.