M55 star Brian Pilcher is poster child for ElliptiGO training bike
Brian Pilcher on marinj.com in 2009 race.
Here’s the story in case the link goes south:
2011 US National Masters Track Champion Credits ElliptiGO for Strong Return to Running and Attempts Record-Setting Marathon
Masters Runner Brian Pilcher Uses New Cross-Training Device to Help Put Together a Career-Best Year in 2011 and Looks Forward to Record-Breaking Marathon Attempt in January
Ross, CA (PRWEB) December 14, 2011
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 .
17 Responses
I am happy to see good press for Masters running and it is great to see a fellow Masters runners getting recognized by sponsors.
This seems very cool.
For the past 5 years or so I’ve had several injuries: plantar facetious, hamstring, achilles,ankle and no matter the injury, I was able to work out with an elliptical at the gym with no pain. I even bought one for my home and a couple of years ago for almost a whole year I could only use my elliptical for training.
The Elliptigo seemed very inciting until I saw the price. A little too steep for my budget, but i guess considering what I paid for my elliptical and the gym before that, it is probably worth it.
Terrific running, Brian. Pulling for you at Houston. I’ve had minor pains and I’ve used a shopping cart at Wal-Mart. It can be a cart at ANY shopping center. I push on the jog. Depends on the amount of pain, of course. Cost? Priceless. Smartty
Great running Brian! I will be cheering you on here in Houston at the marathon. I continue to share all of the injuries with Nolan over the last few years + a torn calf in 2010. Agreeing with Nolan, this machine may be a bit pricy, but Brian’s results do indicate the benefits of having one. I will for now though, have to stick to my treadmill and the pool until I can get back 100%.
Just took my first ride on an ElliptiGO this morning. It was fantastic! A really great workout (maybe a little TOO great, since I haven’t run for 4 weeks!) and lots of fun to boot! I’ve got a pretty nasty lower leg injury right now that precludes running, but I had no trouble putting in 30 minutes on the ElliptiGO … and can hardly wait to get out on it tomorrow! Brian Pilcher is the one who turned me on to the ElliptiGO, so it’s very cool seeing him get some press on the subject.
sounds pretty great – but not sure how it would work here in NE in the winter! But first I will get on the elliptical at my gym (the cheapo Planet Fitness – $10.month) before I shell out the big bucks for a very expensive machine. Perhaps I will find one on Craig’s list! Seriously – it sounds like a great way to train and avoid the increasingly painful pounding on the road. Age, time, and pain may see me trying this at some point.
I’m waiting for someone to ask if it’s on the list of performance enhancing substances.
I would recommend everybody to use the elliptical training machine @ their gym and train often in the pool.Systematic training using the elliptical and the pool is very valuable cross-training that can keep the injuries and doctor away. A part of the aging process is to do more cross-training and hitting the weights religiously in order to maintain/increase muscle strength and prevent muscle loss.
Way to go in that Half Marathon Brian! Good luck in Houston. I had the chance to try one of his ElliptiGOs while visiting with him during the Sacramento Worlds this past summer -a great trainer that simulates running well without the impact.
What about the StreetRider(tm)?
It has the handles that move and two front wheels. Plus, looks a little cheaper.
http://www.streetrider.com
Pete, did you wear a helmet? Does this thing have a light on it? How sturdy are the tires, do you carry a spare tube? Where is the waterbottle holder? How easy was it to turn? Can it go offroad?
Matt –
Helmet – yes.
Light – no.
Tires – sturdy.
Spare Tube – yes.
Waterbottle holder – didn’t look (don’t take a water bottle on 20 mile runs, not worried about taking one along for an ElliptiGO ride).
Easy to Turn – very.
Offroad – not designed for it (not much clearance).
And …
Fun – yes!
Good workout – very!
Can’t wait to take it out again today – absolutely!!!
To Matthew on post #10. The link is http://www.streetstrider.com Not streetrider.
I’m going to get one from each company!
I didn’t get paid anything for this, but i love the product and I help the company wherever i can. it is unreal. I used to go 3 hrs+ 40 miles around mt tam (5k vert) 3 times a week last year when i was injured last year. avg heart rate when i started was 148 (my max is 170) but after a while i did the same ride with 122 heart rate. if you ran that heart rate you would be toasted for a week, but i wasn’t beat up at all. it is definitely the reason i am running so well at long races. i went 2 hours on the elliptigo yesterday and raced 4.5 miles today and i will recover for 2 hours on the elliptigo tomorrow. it is so much better than an elliptigo in the gym, it is a joke… you couldn’t pay me to do that for an hour…
i was out on the elliptigo with 3 other elliptigos today!!! I was laughing about how great it was in the redwoods by alpine lake and it is like the best thing in my life comparing it to beating my head against the wall on an elliptical machine indoors… ;-}
I had the pleasure of meeting Brian last summer during Worlds in Sacramento. He hosted a memorable and fun filled rest day for a group of us, between demonstrating what a amazingly talented athlete he was in the distance races. Brian is definitely one of the good guys of Masters T & F, and I wish him good health, and continued success.
Leave a Reply