Dawn Santos

When I saw the ad for Warrior Dash on the sidebar on Facebook 8 years ago I never imagined that it was something I would be doing. In April of 2012 I had reached my bottom. Fibromyalgia had taken a toll over the last few years and I felt broken. My running had become non-existent, I felt sick, fat and tired 24/7. Hopeless is the best word. I decided to make major changes in my diet and start a pretty rigid fitness regiment. I immediately started to feel better. Not long after I found a new doctor who encouraged me to manage my Fibromyalgia with every possible treatment, without the use of drugs, which is something I feel strongly about. I have succeeded so far to decrease my pain symptoms by about 70 percent most days. When a friend emailed me and asked to do a Warrior Dash I was all over it. 15 minutes after we finished, I wanted to go again! That was it. I was hooked. Not only did I get to run but a whole new world opened up. Now I run better, feel better and have more fun than I have had in years.

I have met some incredible people and have gotten amazing encouragement from fb groups. I spend most of my time now trying to try to pay it forward. In 2013 I decided to become certified as a personal trainer to help people with chronic pain manage as I have to live a better life through diet and exercise, in conjunction with any other treatment they may be under. I wanted sufferers from all walks of life with any disability or illness that still manage to run, come together to support each other and raise awareness for the many who struggle through daily life with pain, but refuse to let it get us down.

I since had many job changes as life, pain, the economy or my children made changes necessary. I stopped running for a bit then got back to it. Now its just for fun and maintenance. I found if it consumed me it drained me so I had to modify things over the years.

I've done the 3day almost every year, as well as various 5k's, mud runs and obstacle course races.

Diet, exercise, supplements, friends, doctors, even my physical location in regards to stress and noise have changed over the years. We have to always learn and adapt. But I am still kicking it in the *ss!

So if you see me signed up for a race, join in! Run with me! Walk with me, no matter your fitness level. We would love to have you! Fb, Insta, or Google! Where ever you can find me I am an open book! Share your crafts, or your story! I run with Fibromyalgia and a few other things. What are you RunningWith?