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Sports Medicine: Commonwealth Chiropractic Center Celebrates 20th Anniversary
By Dr. Neil McLaughlin
November/December 2011
Ed note: Congratulations to Commonwealth Chiropractic Center as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. A regular contributor to WRR, we asked Neil McLaughlin to share some of his favorite “running-related” memories.
In October 1991, Ron Kulik and I established Commonwealth Chiropractic Center of Reston. Coming from New Jersey and Long Island, respectively, we did not know anyone in the area. In fact, in those early days we were known more for our running than our practice. We raced in neon orange jerseys with our logo emblazoned on it. Ron finished 5th in the Marine Corps Marathon in 1991 and was also named DC Roadrunner Club “Runner of the Year” during the early 1990s. I was running everything from a 4:15 mile to a 1:08 half marathon and competed in Ironman Canada. Fortunately, our exploits on the roads, track, and triathlon scene helped our practice grow. Following are a few highlights we have experienced in treating runners over the years:
The Jim Ryun/Alan Webb Connection – Imagine the good fortune of treating two of the greatest milers in history! When I was 14, my first 10K race in Long Island was the Jim Ryun 10K (named for the first high school runner to run a sub-4 minute mile). He signed my race certificate that day and delivered a speech that inspired me personally and athletically. Thirty years later I saw Jim Ryun again, only now he was Congressman Ryun from Kansas. He signed my certificate once more.
Alan Webb was chasing Jim Ryun’s record while running at South Lakes High School in Reston. We had some great conversations about which was the best Steve Prefontaine, “Pre” movie, or the latest exploits of Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. Alan went on to run a 3:53 in high school to break Ryun’s record and to set the American record in the mile as well. The Ryun family continues to be part of the Commonwealth Chiropractic family to this day.
The Reebok Enclave (post collegiate training program) - Many do not realize that in the 1990s Washington, DC was a running mecca for some of the top runners in the country. Coach Frank Gagliano had built a dynasty at Georgetown with the likes of Olympians John Trautmann, Steve Holman, Rich Kenah, and World Cross Country team member Peter Sherry. Elite runners from across the country flocked to DC to train with the group. Ray and Cathy Pugsley, owners of Potomac River Running, were part of the training group as well.
We did our best to treat their injuries, tweak their altered mechanics, and keep them finely tuned as they trained and raced toward their goals. Peter Sherry went on to win the Marine Corps Marathon in 2003 and currently operates Peter Sherry Sports Massage from our office, so the Reebok Enclave connection continues to this day.
The Mysterious Runner - A few years back we got a call from a sports agent who wanted us to diagnose and treat the injury of a famous runner . . . he was Ethiopian, a marathoner and had just won the Olympic gold medal. The caveat: we were not to tell anyone about treating him until after his next marathon because they did not want anyone to know he was injured. The problem was that he showed up at our office with an entourage, he and his teammate in their uniforms, along with the coach and the agent. Needless to say, they stood out from the crowd. A top U.S. runner who was at the office demanded to know who that runner was. We told him, “If we tell you, we would have to kill you!” Fortunately, the secret was kept. The runner was treated and he went on to run his next marathon. We still chuckle about this story.
Personal Best Running & Racing - A year after we opened the practice we decided to start a coaching program, Personal Best Running & Racing. It made sense since most of the injured runners who came in the doors did not know how to train and recover properly, or were poorly coached. If I were to pick the best success story of the program, it would be Susannah Kvasnicka. She started out as a typical running mom with a 3:55 marathon time. After a few years in our program she improved to a 2:45:06 marathon (Steamtown Marathon, 2006) and qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She also won the Marine Corps Marathon in 2005.
When I sat down to write this retrospective, I quickly realized I had enough material to write a book rather than an article. We have made great friends in the running and triathlon communities over the years and I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve you. These days we are more known for our Chiropractic Sports practice than our running accomplishments (six kids between us will do that) but we are still out running and will continue to do so. Commonwealth Chiropractic Center will be celebrating its anniversary through the end of the year. Drop in to say “hello” or give us a call if you are injured. We will have “special offers” for new patients and old friends.
Dr. Neil McLaughlin is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician; he practices at the Commonwealth Chiropractic Center of Reston, VA. For more information, 703-742-7856 or www.cccreston.com.