Los Fresnos Represents at SPI Marathon

Marathoner Tells Story and Thanks Supporters

by Connie Salazar

This humble testimony comes from the small, amazing town of Los Fresnos, Texas.

Los Fresnos – where you can find true support and encouragement from just about every citizen, business and city leader.

This is our story and it starts at Los Fresnos Memorial Park. A little more than a year ago the City of Los Fresnos started offering Free Fitness classes to the community and I jumped at the opportunity to be part of such an amazing fitness movement. Group Fitness has a incredible way to bring people together and keep them motivated. It was an honor to see the program succeed as more and more people came together to share fitness and push for a healthier lifestyle.

It is there where wonderful friendships were born. Together we set goals and then supported and encouraged each other to get them done. This year a few of us decided to run a marathon. Take that in for a second, a marathon! 26.2 miles!

We trained for 4 months and along the way I personally learned of physical limitations that I would have to overcome and deal with along the way. Disc Degeneration, a herniated disc and some incredible amount of pain were standing between me and my dream to cross the finish line of a marathon. Major changes had to be done to my run/walk format and my training schedule. What never changed was the support I received from my running team and coaches. My FitFriends from the park and 2RunCrew coaches out of Brownsville guided and supported me as I pushed forward in my 26.2 mile goal.

My running team was full of amazing people, all at different speeds and fitness levels but we came together and pushed forward as a team. Let me tell you this, it is very humbling to be the slowest member of a team as you see your friends run back and forth to check on you but it is also the most blessed position. The support and encouragement I got from my FitFriend team can not be described. I want to thank Ofelia Ponce, our Chicago Marathon Finisher and Boston Qualifier. Lorena Gutierrez, Veronica Argamont, Emma Guerrero, Monique L Castillo, Maria Clemons, Dean and Dolores Garza, Sandra Uresti, Sheralee Six and Javier Vasquez for the long hours and hard work we all put in to safely take on this goal. I could have never done it alone. It was a blessing to be surrounded by so much support.

I want to also thank multiple Los Fresnos businesses for honoring some of our teammates with sponsorships to fulfill our Marathon goal.

• Monique Castillo sponsored by Los Fresnos Family Dentistry for the SPI Marathon.
• Veronica Argamont sponsored by Beehtovens for the SPI Marathon.
• Emma Guerrero sponsored by Naturella’s for the Upcoming McAllen Marathon
• Myself, Connie Salazar, sponored by Los Fresnos Eye Clinic for the SPI Marathon (Previously sponsored by Elva’s Mexican Restaurant for the the Trail Who is Boss and Taquiria El Cien for the first ever Los Fresnos Triathlon)

How amazing that even the businesses of our beautiful town are encouraging us to stay active and push for a healthier lifestyle. Our enthusiasm was contagious because we also had Los Fresnos FitFriends sponsored by the following Brownsville businesses:

• Lorena Gutierrez sponsored by JK Medical Clinic for the SPI Marathon
• Maria Clemons, Ofelia Ponce and Dolores Garza sponsored by Dave’s Serv Tech for the SPI 13.1 Relay.

As adults it is quite unheard of to get sponsored for races by a business but how incredibly amazing that the fitness movement has reached our community and the support is overflowing! I also have to give thanks to all the participants of the Free Fitness Program in Los Fresnos and the Leaders who support it as I know they prayed and cheered for us runners every step of the way. Thank you! Continue pushing forward Los Fresnos!! You are an Inspiration. Keep shining bright in this Fitness Movement!