“I was getting more strength and better times the more I went.” 
-C. Morey

Equestrian, personal trainer, golfer, and marathon runner, Cheryl Morey, age 57, recently finished the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia while “wearing” a Thera-Tree in her backpack. Her time was a personal best, even though she had been training less than usual in the months leading up to the race due to an injury in early summer. “This was surprising to me, as I had torn a ligament in my foot and took off 2 months from running and only logged 120 miles since May as prep for October’s race, which is not a lot of training.”

Cheryl decided to add the Thera-Tree, a unique wellness device designed for horses, into her ultramarathon runners’ pack after observing the benefits she had seen to horses’ health when they were in the gentle electromagnetic field of the Thera-Tree. Designed by Olympic gold medalist Tad Coffin, the Thera-Tree is used worldwide on equine athletes at all performance levels. Specifically, it helps optimize hydration resulting in lower heart rates, faster cardiovascular recovery, with less sweating as the body’s cooling system runs more efficiently. Other benefits include decreased muscle soreness after exertion and reduction of inflammation throughout the body.

Witnessing the benefits on Tad's horses, Cheryl considered the possible benefits of using the Thera-Tree in her preparation for the Marine Corp marathon.

“So, I thought, if this helps the horses, why not experiment and see what it does for me?” Cheryl says.

She started training with the Thera-Tree one month prior to the race, with the device tucked in her Nathan Aries 2.0 L Hydration Pack Running Vest behind her water bladder and along the outside of the pack. The Thera-Tree unit is wireless and durable, fabricated of carbon fiber, and weighs less than 2 pounds. The placement near her water was by design, to "charge" her drinking water as well as her internal water supply.

“I really do think it influenced me positively. My times got better. My recovery has been generally good, but this time it was better than previous runs for sure” explains Cheryl.

When comparing her times from previous races, Cheryl studied her first marathon and this year’s marathon because she was diverted in both races. The first race, the diversion was due to not making it to the 17-mile gauntlet in time, forfeiting mile 18 and 19 and going directly to mile 20 from the 17-mile marker. This year it was advised by local EMS partners and the MCMO medical team to implement two gauntlets earlier than planned for the health and safety of the participants in the race due to heat and humidity. It was also deemed necessary to keep all runners on the shortened course as they would continue to have medical assistance and have access to hydration sources.

In the first race in 2012 at age 47, she did intervals of walk and run, finishing at 6:40:07. This was a very challenging race as she had struggled with pain in her IT Band and had to stop to stretch several times. In this year’s race, at age 57, her time was 5:48:15, almost an hour difference! Also, she did not stop one time to stretch and had no pain in her IT Band. She shared that each year she purposefully slows to a walk as she passes through the Blue Mile in honor of soldiers killed in action. Also, this year her pace was slowed a bit during a stretch where she helped give a push to a handcyclist who was struggling to make it up one of the big hills. Even with those two slow-downs, she still had a better time.

“I ran more this time, and my walks were more of a light jog. Even though it was warm and humid, I didn’t sweat as much and did not use up all of my water in my bladder pack. I felt very hydrated throughout the race. I still burned over 3000 calories, but it just seemed easier.” Cheryl says the most interesting observation she had was that “I was getting more strength and better times the more I went.”

Data from her FitBit confirmed this, showing that her cardio efficiency was at a steady 136 bpm throughout the whole race with only a couple of peak times. “During this year’s race, at mile 24, (40k) I ran an 11:11 mile and my heart rate was a steady 136 bpm.” Another remarkable part of Cheryl’s experience with the Thera-Tree at this year’s marathon is that she recovered easily, and it was no problem to play a full round of golf the next day and go back to farm chores as usual.

Her smile in the picture sums it up!

The science behind this technology is connected to the work of University of Washington researcher, Professor Gerald Pollack. His research has shown that water has a fourth phase, a liquid crystalline, in between a liquid and a solid that has distinct properties, one of which is the separation into positively and negatively charged zones. He believes that the water in our bodies is predominantly fourth phase water and the charge differential is a 'water battery' that drives much of our biology. It plays a fundamental role in the movement of fluids, the delivery of oxygen, the distribution of nutrients and the removal of waste. The fourth phase 'water battery' is recharged with light, particularly in the infrared spectrum. 

Dr. Pollack's books and many videos on YouTube are excellent references for those interested in a deeper dive into his research. 

The Thera-Tree, which produces an infrared energy field, was developed as an offshoot of Tad's many innovations in saddle design. A larger version of the Thera-Tree comprises the main structure of the saddle typically referred to as the saddle tree. The biological benefits of this technology for horses have been clearly demonstrated for more than 8 years: excellent hydration, lower heart rates, reduced stress, greater relaxation, faster recovery, and improved overall wellness. Tad, an Olympic athlete, his wife Kelly, and a growing number of humans are using this technology with great success for their own wellbeing. 

The unique Thera-Tree devices are made in the USA at a small specialty shop near Charlottesville, VA called Tad Coffin Performance Saddles, where inventor, craftsman, and Olympic gold medalist Tad Coffin has dedicated his life to horsemanship, specifically equine wellness. The same technology is available inside a cuddly teddy bear, called the “Thera-Bear,” which is helping kids with Autism and pets with anxiety. 

The units are available for month-to-month rental, contract free. For more information, please visit give Tad a call at 434-989-3229.