San Diego Running Institute

I really, really, really wanted to like going to SDRI. And I was really, really hopeful I would have a good experience and get some quality information about how to treat an obnoxious case of IT syndrome from running. The staff were pleasant, as was Dr. Runco. Dr. Runco was a few minutes late, but made sure to make up for it on the back end of the appointment.
He brought me into his office, where he asked me all the typical questions about my IT syndrome, performed some measurements in regards to weight distribution on my feet, leg length equality. I turned out to be pretty balanced and symmetrical, go figure. Let me preface this by saying, I’m a nurse. I understand anatomy and have a lot of friends in physical therapy. I also, really understand my own body. I had a previous running injury about a year ago. I have a little weakness in my right leg, compared to the left the causes frequent injuries. I guess, as I write this I probably should have gone to a physical therapist instead of a chiropractor. I got caught up in the name, «San Diego Running Institute» and all the nice Unilocal reviews.
I told Dr. Runco all my history, he couldn’t find any significant findings or as he called it «smoking guns» to why my IT Band had flared up. Although, I know from strength training and yoga my right leg is much weaker and unbalanced then my left leg. I was pretty sure this had something to do with my consistent right sided injuries. Anyways, he provided some electrical and ultrasound stimulation to my right side of me knee, which I admit felt good and relieved some tension in my knee. He also taped my leg up with rock tape, also felt good. But, as soon as we started chatting, I felt like I was a fish they were trying to hook in for extra services, but it happened so discreetly I almost didn’t notice. First Dr. Runco told me I would have to be off running for a week, do some cross training, and a complete a few therapies. Then he told me, If i wanted to keep running, I could but it should be on his «anti-​gravity treadmill», which he wanted me to demo at the end of our session. One week off running quickly turned into 3 weeks off running, 3 weeks of therapy, and 3 weeks of the extra treadmill use. In hindsight, I felt he almost preyed upon my runner’s desire to run at any cost. I agreed to demo this crazy contraption, which I do believe has benefits for many people. The treadmill allows you to run without the impact of your full body weight. IT Band syndrome is a repetitive use injury, despite removing much of my body weight, my IT band continues to perform the same movement regardless of how much body weight I was actually using. The treadmill theory I didn’t really understand.
They allowed me to run for 30 minutes on the anti-​gravity treadmill, which I was stoked I got to run for 30 minutes. I had less pain, but my knee still had a dull ache, nothing that wasn’t manageable. I do have to admit the treadmill was anything but comfortable. The shorts they give you to wear rose up so high into my crotch, I even said something to the assistant/​receptionist. The shorts also seemed kinda stinky. She instructed me to try and pull the shorts down, but they continued to creep up and into my crotch. Hopefully I had them on incorrectly. Treadmills already being dreadmills, the crotch thing was a deal breaker for me. They did try to sell me a package of treadmill service, in addition to the $ 67/​therapy session. I think something like $ 22 per 30 minutes. All in all Dr. Runco was recommending 2 sessions a week plus 30 minutes of the anti-​gravity treadmill for 3 weeks. This equates to $ 182 a week for 3 weeks = $ 546. The original cost of $ 217 for intake and first therapy session. A grand total of $ 763. I have crappy insurance, a high deductible, and luckily make plenty of money that I was ok with investing the original $ 217. In the heat of the moment, and being a non-​confrontational person I booked an appointment for later in the week. I walked out of the office and felt very emotional, my gut was just telling me this wasn’t right.
I do think they are a legitimate business that helps many people successfully with their injuries. I was just disappointed that I felt I was slightly taken advantage of as a cash patient. I was hopeful I would have been given some exercises or stretches to do at home for the time I wasn’t coming to the office. All in all, I was looking for a quick fix for my pain and some helpful information to take with me and utilize at home. I ended up cancelling my appointment and sticking to foam rolling, stretching, yoga, and strengthening glutes/​hips. I do think its helping, but I need to be more patient and not expect to be able to pay for miracles. I’m going to take it easy from running, but I’m not willing to stop, nor run on the anti-​gravity — ride up into your crotch — treadmill.

Dr. Runco is the best! I took a nasty fall while running several months ago. My hip felt off but I continued running and it became extremely painful. I saw an orthopedist 10 days after the injury, had normal X-​rays and he suggested a hip flexor strain and said I could continue easy running. At week 5 I still had significant pain so I called the orthopedist and he told me to take NSAIDs. Seriously?
At that point I made an appointment at SDRI. Dr. Runco spent a significant amount of time with me, asking questions and manipulating my hip every which way. At the end of the exam he said he was confident I had a stress fracture in my hip from when I fell and offered to refer me for a bone scan or MRI if I wanted a concrete diagnosis. Before I left he put me on the anti-​gravity treadmill and had me run at 55% my weight and I had NO pain! He said that was further proof it was a bone injury because I would’ve still had pain if it was soft tissue.
Here’s what’s so great about Dr. Runco — he makes a plan that allows you to maintain your fitness (if possible). So I spent 4 weeks running on the anti-​gravity treadmill and was allowed to spin, do yoga, and strength train upper body/​core as much as I wanted as long as I didn’t have pain. In a sense my stress fracture ended up being a blessing because I was able to get stronger in other ways.
Thank you Dr. Runco and staff — Riley, Krista, and Nikki!

The customer service is terrible, I haven’t come across an institute this unprofessional in years. Dr. Runco is almost to nonchalant and really lack cares for his patient’s needs. Not to mention, all the employees walk around in shorts and sandals, extremely unprofessional. My pair of orthotics also cracked in the heal, definitely last time I get a pair of orthotics from this institute.

Dr. Runco is a very knowledgeable and skilled physician. Both visits here have been exceptional! I travel quite a bit for work and happened to injure myself on a run. Walking was becoming quite difficult due to the pain so I looked for a sports doctor and after reading the SDRI site I called and explained my situation. Dr. Runco fit me in the next day and addressed my main concern which was the sharp pain in my left foot when walking. I had a subluxation of a bone that he was able to pop back into place. Then he addressed my knee pain which after seeing me a second time turned out to be related to an IT band issue. Ultrasound and electrolysis treatment helped loosen the band. He also worked on my IT Band and even unjammed my knee which I didn’t even know was jammed up. He followed it up by having his assistant show me how to roll out my IT band which I have been doing everyday. Everyday I have been working on IT band and everyday it and my knee feel a bit better. Dr. Runco is also very responsive to email and has answered any question or concern I’ve had within 24 hours. I highly recommend Dr. Runco and the San Diego Running Institute.

I’ve come to SDRI for several different injuries, and Dr. Runko and Dr. Allen have been amazing and got me back up and running (pun intended). What I really like about SDRI is that they worked with me under the assumption that I wasn’t just going to stop running or training because I was injured. They gave me the tools and the knowledge to keep training for my races while still letting me heal.

Excellent choice for anyone in need of a specialist!
I just went on my first run with my new custom orthotic insoles that I received from Dr. Runco and Dr. Allen and they absolutely fit like a glove!
I have been wearing custom insoles for the past three years since I broke my foot playing soccer. The pair I received from San Diego Running Institute are by far the best pair I’ve worn.
They ask for your feedback after you’ve worn them for a week or so and will make any modifications for you, as well. Talk about great service!
I can’t wait to try out the pair for my soccer cleats!
Highly recommended!

I am a runner and have been rehabilitating a knee injury. As part of my rehab, I have been using SDRI’s Alter G Anti-​Gravity treadmill. It has been fantastic and has helped me enormously. On the Alter G, you basically run with your body weight reduced. I started out running at 52% of my body weight and I finished up last week running at 95% of body weight. This was over a period of 2 months. Since I only made small, incremental increases in body weight from session to session, my body adapted to the higher weight with no problems. I am now back to running outdoors and unassisted! My thanks to Drs. Runco & Allen and their caring staff (Riley, Levonti, and Christa) for their assistance, encouragement, and guidance. You guys are the best and I thank you for all you did for me! I can recommend the Alter G and the SDRI to anyone having musculoskeletal problems.

If I could give 0 stars I would. I went in to Dr. Runco and was diagnosed with sesamoiditis and faciosis he told me to buy some orthotics I couldn’t spend $ 400 on those so I left and did physical therapy. My sesamoiditis and faciosis got better and I went back to him for a different injury and he only wanted me to buy the $ 400 orthotic and when I told him I couldn’t buy that and he raised his voice asking why I was there and I told him to get my foot diagnosed so he started yelling and threw my stuff at me and yelled at me telling me to leave.
Dr. Runco is only in it for the money he really doesn’t care about his patients. He gives them the way of healing that gives him the most money.
Don’t trust this guy, and don’t go here.

Why did they stop selling shoes? I bought my shoes here for years! Too bad.

I strongly recommend Dr. Runco and the SDRI. I had been having shin splints symptons and pain for several months. I finally determined I had to see a doctor. Several of my friends recommended Dr. Runco. I am so glad I decided to see him. On my first appointment he was able to diagnose my problem. I got custom orthotics and within a week I was back to running. It’s really amazing to be able to run without feeling pain during or after my runs. This is by far one of the best investments I have made. Thank you Dr. Runco for helping me be a happy runner.

Dr. Runco and his team are amazing. I went into the office completely crippled after a hard track workout and my own attempt to reduce soreness by foam rolling. Dr. Runco immediately diagnosed the problem as hip bursitis (rolling is absolutely the wrong treatment for this) and after one hour of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasound I was walking and using the stairs. Before going in I could not walk or even sleep due to the pain, treatments like Aleve and ibuprofen were completely ineffective. The pain was absolutely gone after one hour at SDRI. I thought I would be out for weeks.

I give my strongest recommendation for Dr. Allen, Dr. Runco, and SDRI to any athletes, particularly runners and triathletes. I recently completed my first ultramarathon (JFK 50-​miler) and could not have done it without Dr. Allen and SDRI.
Over 2 years ago I could not run at all without a great deal of pain in both IT bands the following day/​week. I was 34 and thought I had worn out my body and my running and sports days were over. A friend recommended visiting Dr. Runco at SDRI. Within 2-​months I was completely healed through a combination of physical therapy, foam rolling, massage, and stretching exercises. Later that year, I ran my fastest mile time ever (4:59) and went on to complete the Oceanside and St. Croix Half Ironman triathlons and pace a friend to run his first sub 4:00 hour marathon at the San Diego Rock’n’Roll.
A year later I developed a serious case of plantar fasciitis (from hiking in AK with my brother wearing poor fitting shoes and hiking at awkward angles along the sides of several mountains). This time I saw Dr. Allen at SDRI. I was again completely healed through a combination of different physical therapy, foam rolling, massage, and stretching exercises within 2-​months. I just finished the JFK 50-​miler this past weekend and achieved my goal of running the event in under 10-​hours.
I turned 36 this year and am stronger, faster, and have greater endurance than I have ever had before in my life. I credit Dr. Allen and Dr. Runco a great deal for helping me get to this point. They know athletes’ injuries and how to fix them better than anyone. They are also both incredibly kind, generous, and professional healers.
Krista at the front desk is also terrific. She always has a smile on her face and is so good with the billing process. She contacted my insurance company several times and worked out some sort of arrangement to make the cost of the care very reasonable. She also helped me figure out my HSA card when I transferred to a new job. You just do not find better people now-​a-​days than you do at SDRI. I cannot thank Dr. Allen, Dr. Runco, Krista, and SDRI enough.
Sent from my iPhone

I’ve seen Dr. Allen of SDRI for two separate injuries, and both experiences have been top notch, from setting the appointment, to checking into the appointment, all the way through to treatment. In both cases (1. shoulder injury from boot camp last year and 2. IT Band issues from training for a half marathon) Dr. Allen took the time to really explain the root cause behind the pain/​discomfort so even I could understand it! Thanks to Dr. Allen, I’m back to my training schedule and haven’t had shoulder pain in over a year.
I’ve recommended SDRI to many family members and friends, and everyone I know who has seen Dr. Allen has raved about how knowledgeable, kind and helpful he is, and how great they feel after treatment.
If you’re having running/​sport related injuries or pain/​discomfort, don’t hesitate to call SDRI. They are wonderful!!!

The docs at SDRI are great and the staff is really friendly. Went in January with a Grade 1 tear in my calf and am finally back (in April) running (about 3 – 4 miles at a time). I was extremely frustrated throughout the recovery process and Dr. Allen was great. I will also give the office Kudos for always answering my e-​mails day of or early the next morning. It’s great to know that a doctor is an e-​mail away for a quick question. Would recommend the office to anyone in need of a Running Dr.

I really hesitated to write this because in a lot of ways, I really like Dr. Runco. I had lower back pain when I tried to resume running after having my baby, and was referred to SDRI. I had spinal manipulation which was good, but I was mainly there for sports therapy. All was well, but then once I told Dr. Runco that I thought I was feeling a little worse, and immediately he snapped at me and got extremely defensive, telling me it was my fault and I wasn’t listening to him. His language was harsher than really what is appropriate for a doctor to patient, IMO. It was really nothing so bad/​vulgar, but it made me feel uncomfortable, and I have decided not to go back. Also, I never really felt like the front desk girls were the nicest and I’m actually happy to not have to deal with them anymore.

They are NOT NOT doctor’s they are Chiropractors! (Do pharmacists call them selves Doctors? Nope!!!)
Currently, they stopped selling running shoes and stuff. Now, they are planning to move. Do you see closure soon? Probably. But, every time I call them, I get more frustrated as they try to sell me their products in the past but the real products they don’t stock. You can tell by the name, «San Diego Running Institute» they are turning into a Chiropractor center. Nothing is free people prepare to spend $$$$ and a lot of it. Talk to a runner who will give you advise not a Chiropractor who will charge you a lot then sell you his inserts which you can get at Roadrunner lol.

Not sure how much this will help, as they are closing their store doors in a few weeks :-(
I believe that the Doc will continue his services at a different location in SD, but no more running shoes, clothes, etc. Darn!
BUT! If you have a chance to head on over before the doors close, I would highly recommend a visit. They have a great selection of high performance running shoes (no Nike or Adidas here) with friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you choose the right shoe for your foot and gait. Good selection of compression socks as well.
They also offer an opportunity to do a quick running test with you, watch your running pattern, the angle of your ankles and knees, to ensure the best shoe for you. A nice thought, though I feel that if you are already out there running, you alone would be best able to tell if you pronate, favour a certain leg, or prefer lighter vs. more supportive shoe.
Easy to find and park off Fletcher Pkwy, behind the trolley station.
Tata for now!

This place is awesome because they have actual runners as employees. It’s also super cool to see all the bibs and medals done by the employees and owner of this establishment. Everyone is so friendly and knowledgeable; it’s great! Although this place is very small, I don’t mind– they have all the necessary equipment for runners.
The most important information about this place is that it’s owned by the Physical Therapist/​Chiropractor next door who is a very experienced runner. 10 stars! :P

I am the dang Cinderella of running shoes. I went all over SD looking for the elusive perfect fit. Some shoes from Sears gave me blood blisters (ouch!) so I decided it was better to pay $ 150 for a pair of good running shoes, rather than 4 pairs of bad shoes at $ 50 each.
The store charges $ 25 for a foot analysis. If you buy the shoes, it’s free. If you don’t buy the shoes, it is a credit for future shoes.
I learned that my orthotics may be unnecessary, since my pronation has caused me no problems; and that my arch is fairly inflexible. A chiropractor is involved with the store and I believe helps train the staff.
The store is small and the staff friendly. They also have a cute rescue dog who came over and licked my hand, then went back to its bed.
They also have a pretty extensive selection for a small store. For example, they had underwire running bras in extended sizes (i.e. DD and E cups) that are difficult to come by.
I had to order the shoes I needed, because they didn’t have them in stock, but the saleslady was committed to me getting an excellent fit.

~Part 2~
New upcoming half marathon means it’s time for a new pair of *magic* shoes !
Lucky for me, I had the same professional help and advice from Carmela. I appreciated her personal advice from what type of water bottle to use, how to avoid blisters, and numerous training tips.
A lot of information was exchanged and I walked out of there with a brand new pair of *magic* shoes (i.e., Saucony Progrid Ride) in silver, pink, and purple! Niiiice !!!
Carmela had encouraging words and I was really glad that she took the time to make my visit worthwhile. Bless you SDRI for making me one happy customer yet again! =p