John Medrano:

     I have come a LONG way in the past year overcoming the downward spiral I call my 20s. Between not finishing college, helping to take care of my cancer-ridden mother (she survived, yay!), hating my job, my life, and myself, my self-confidence was basically shot. I began drinking a lot, which became a gateway to MANY bad choices. The money I spent on those choices could have paid off my student loans and could have bought a nicely loaded luxury car (very depressing to think about). Through these years I have lost four friends to drunk-driving accidents, which ironically made me drink more out of depression. I gained a lot of weight, which made me hate myself even more. I hated the person I saw in the mirror. Not only because of the weight, but because that person was not who I was or wanted to be. Somewhere inside the real Jon was screaming to escape, but did not know how. So I drank more to silence him and to numb the anger and disappointment in myself.

      Just over 2 years ago I was convicted of a DUI, had to go to a DUI class, but kept on drinking and driving. Six months after that DUI, I was pulled over again and sentenced again. After my final courtdate, I was sentenced to jailtime: 60 days of jailtime. No bueno. I spent my 30th birthday on a bunk in a smelly room full of 70 other inmates. And no birthday cake. WORST BIRTHDAY EVER!! I can safely say that day I was at rock bottom. I told myself I would NEVER put myself in that position again. When I was released I had a new perspective on things. I realized and accepted that I was fully responsible for my situation in life, and that no one could change it except me. I decided to turn a really crappy situation into a positive. I stopped hanging around my drinking buddies (not one of them was there for me during my jailtime), took myself out of a negative environment, and decided to start running.

     It was a slow start at first. I walked a lot more than I ran. Sometime around April, I went into Fleet Feet to get new running shoes. Right off the bat, the people there were warm, welcoming, and encouraging, but I was intimidated by their dedication to running. After a few months, I finally talked myself into joining their No Boundaries program. After the first day, Coach Tracey pushed me from the 5k group to the 10k group. I followed the coaches' training schedule religiously, stayed focused, and ran my first 10k ever! The moment I crossed that finish line was very emotional and empowering. Not only was there an awesome group of people cheering me on, but I could hardly believe that for the first time in a while, I set a goal for myself and actually accomplished it! That was the moment I knew I loved running, and that I could accomplish ANY goal I set for myself.

      I've run several more races, including a 1/2 marathon. The Country Music 1/2 Marathon will be a personal celebration of my one year "running anniversary." This point in my running experience is hugely due to the No Boundaries community and all the Fleet Feet coaches. Coach Tracey, Drew, and Matty B have no idea how much their encouragement and positivity has helped me reach this point. I will always have a special place in my heart for No Boundaries, and for the coaches and amazing Fleet Feet community I've become a part of. Running has now become a lifestyle for me, and I love every bit of it! It's amazing therapy, and has affected every aspect of my life. I barely drink nowadays. I have lost all the weight I had gained. I am in the best shape I have been in years, and feel better than have felt in almost a decade. I have a new job, have already been promoted, and have already set my goal on another promotion. My self-confidence is sky high, and I can honestly say that I am geniunely happy. My self-respect has returned stronger than ever.  I know in life there will be more struggles ahead, but now I face them with this in mind: The struggles I overcame yesterday are a reminder of how strong I am today, and of how much stronger I will be tomorrow.