Half-marathon champion helps Airmen relearn to run

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Antonio Eppolito, Air Force Medical Support Agency, evaluates jogging form during a running seminar Aug. 7, 2013, at the Dyess Event Center on Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. During the seminar, Eppolito provided the members with information on aerobic development, running form, injury prevention and how to improve performance. He educated servicemembers on the barefoot style running, which is more efficient for the body by limiting pain and injuries. This can be accomplished by wearing a minimalist running shoe. According to Eppolito, wearing thick-heeled tennis shoes force people to land on their heels, which causes more injuries and shortens the achilles tendon by limiting flexibility in the foot. Eppolito has been a member of the Air Force running team for 18 years and is a five-time Air Force Masters Half-Marathon champion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Hall/Released)