The Racefox team has met with Kamilla who shares her experience of running with Racefox despite arthritis.

 

Tell me a little about yourself. Who are you?

My name is Kamilla Nilsson. I’m 49 years old and am from Grythyttan. I’m a “dog person”--I love dogs and have had dogs for 20 years. The dogs run with me. I am devoted to two dog sports called agility and canicross.

 

Tell us about you as a runner and how you use Racefox in your training?

This is difficult because I don't see myself as a runner. A runner is someone who has run their entire life. I haven't done that. I’m more of an “exerciser” (I run for exercise).
I feel like you have to achieve something to call yourself a runner. I started running (again) at the age of 44 and it has become fun. Two days ago, I did a short session after work, before a meeting. Now my body is itching to run again.

I ran 17-20 years ago. I was waiting for the endorphin kick everyone talks about, but did not experience it. I did Tjejmilen, Blodomloppet, Karlstad Stadslopp, and several Vårruset (races in Sweden), but they were rather agonizing and painful.

Now that I have started running again, I cannot stop. I think you have to find your own feeling for an endorphin kick; it can vary from person to person. Before, I ran for the wrong reasons, not for me. I did it because I was doing races with a friend. That was not enough to keep me motivated.

Things changed when I started agility training with the dogs. The dogs need to be fast and to give their all. They need to be both physically strong and mentally strong. So now I train, too. I work on my endurance and strength. I need to be able to keep up with the dogs and not hold them back. It is a good motivator for me.
I do some agility races with the dogs as I don’t like racing without them. For me, running races also include my dogs.

 

You have suffered an injury. Can you tell us about it and how Racefox has helped in your training and recovery?

I’ve developed arthritis in my left knee because of soccer when I was younger. Racefox helped me change my running step. I increased my frequency and have to work to land more on the front of my foot, rather than on the heel. I’m also trying to improve my drag and bounce so I do not fall back into my old running technique. Racefox is good for me. It gives me the facts and instant feedback, telling me, for example, to increase the frequency or work on control exercises. I'm getting faster with Racefox. I notice it when running with the dogs too. I can keep up with the dogs better.

After my diagnosis, I also looked at articles online about arthrosis online and switched to barefeet shoes. I tried that, and for me it worked. I land more on more forefoot when I use them, which is what my Racefox coach wants me to do to limit injury risk. It takes a lot of strength, but I am still able to run.

 

Do you have a particular challenge or goal that you are aiming for? What inspires you?

I don’t have a dream goal--the distance doesn’t matter--which is pretty liberating. For now, I  aim to do three sessions per week. I am planning to do a couple of races, but if I don’t do the races, it doesn’t matter. It is not about the races for me--I can get sick and miss the race, but I will still continue to run--with the dogs.  

I am not my performance. My performance is not about winning, being third or something like that. I just run. I feel people focus too much on being the best. I have no idea how fast I can do 5k but, I know I am faster and better trained than I used to be. I run trails, with hills and I am faster and stronger. That’s all I need.

 

What sort of advice do you have for other runners?

Be creative. Try different things and see what works for you. When I tried the barefoot running shoes, my feet and ankles got stronger. Racefox helped me improve my technique and balance and I got faster. Sometimes you have to do your own research and find what works.