I’ve lived with multiple autoimmune diseases most of my life. When I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which happens where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lungs and in my case also my joints, the doctors said I’d never run again (which was fine, I wasn’t a runner. Then.) But a few years later, needing a goal during my healing I set my sights on a goal: run a half marathon. Then I ran four more.

My first five half marathons were in two other shoe brands that-shall-not-be-named. That first year was tough, even while it was inspiring. I needed weeks of recovery after every race. No amount of ice or anti-inflammatories could speed up the recovery and healing. I of course was looking for anything and everything that could support me running these races while living with sometimes debilitating pain and exhaustion.

After my 5th half marathon at the end of 2010, I was complaining to some runner friends about how much pain I was in. One suggested Newtons. I’d never heard of them but was willing to try anything.

I looked up Newton and learned they were designed by a scientist in Boulder, CO. They were runners who wanted to make a different kind of running shoe. One with innovative technology that reduced impact and increased energy return. That’s exactly what my joints and body needed, after being ravaged by multiple autoimmune diseases.

When I ran my first half in Newtons in January 2011, I discovered how they worked and found I not only enjoyed running but looking forward to it. I ran the next