Story of the Month

  Story of the Month

At Fleet Feet Sports – Hickory, our number one priority is you, our neighbor.  Our community is one of hope, family, and faith.  We have faith in you, and our hope is you have faith in yourself!

 When we combine faith, hope, and a strong community family, we often find that we can achieve things we did not think possible.  Whether it’s crossing the finish line of an “unthinkable” distance, or starting a new program for runners to enhance your personal community, you are doing it.

You have inspired us, and we would like to share your story with others to inspire them.  If you have a similar story or would like to tell us someone’s story who has inspired you, please email staff@fleetfeethickory.com ATTN:Meredith.

Below is Terry Johnson's story of finding the love for running.  We hope you find it encouraging and motivating.  Enjoy sharing in his journey.

Terry at Philmont at 165 lbs.

     January 1, 2001 - I wake up, drag myself out of bed and go hit the scales in the bathroom - 231 pounds.  I am scheduled to go to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico as part of a Boy Scout trip that involves 10 days of backpacking at high elevation.  For my height I can weigh no more that 220 pounds.  The trip is in mid July so I've got 6 months to lose 11 pounds.  Some wholesale changes are made in my diet (I had to take the word "combo" out of my vocabulary), I started to drink water in a big way and I dusted off the treadmill and walked for about 45 minutes that night.  The next night I did another 45 minutes, then the next and the next.  The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin got me through those those long walks that eventually turned in to long runs on the treadmill.

     Fast forward to mid March.  By then I had got in to a healthy lifestyle routine of eating to live as opposed to living to eat.  And I took to the treadmill like a fish to water.  But the weather was nice one day in mid March and I thought I would take my running outside.  I left my house and immediately faced a hill and as I reached the top I thought "why would anyone want to run?".  But I was motivated.  By then I had lost 20 pounds and was determined to keep going.  I ran about 3.5 miles that day.  I continued to run every day, my course was always the same - about 3.5 miles.  And I continued to hate it.

     Everything changed in late April, early May.  By then I was under 200 pounds and feeling GREAT.  I took off for my routine run one evening and the weather was perfect!  I ran alone in the dark and when I finished my 3.5 mile route I really felt good so I ran in the house and told my wife I was going to run it again.  So, I ran that same route again and everything just fell into place.  The air was warm but not hot.  The stars were shining brightly.  I was able to breathe while running and it felt good.  When I got home I celebrated my 7 mile run and I knew I had been bitten by the running bug.

      June came around and my weight was in the low 180s and I signed up for my first 5K.  My church, First Baptist Hickory, sponsored their 2nd annual VBS 5K and I signed up.  On race morning I was so nervous.  I went to the start line, I put one front of the other and I ran.  It is a fairly hilly course and my time was not great but I was under 25 minutes and was thrilled.  No trophies, no medals, but I did have my first T Shirt that showed that I had participated in an athletic event.  I was proud. 

      By the time we tore the June page off the calendar I had managed to get down in the low 170s.  Family, friends and co-workers gave me much encouragement during this time.  Some concerned souls came to me and asked if I was sick.  One person who I had not seen in a while saw me with my wife and thought she had found a boyfriend!  She did not recognize me.  The night before Troop 250 was to leave for Philmont I ran in the Street Light 5K in Morganton - it was flat and fast!  I still have the Bib number for those 2 5Ks along with many others that I have earned since.

     I went to Philmont with Troop 250 and with my son Greg.  With alot of hard work and many prayers that were lifted by me and others my life was transformed that year.  The mountain was conquered and the trip was one of the coolest things I have done in my life.  My son Geoffrey has just joined Troop 250 in 2008 and I hope to go back to Philmont in another 3 years or so.  So when January 1, 2011 rolls around I hope to wake up, get on the scales and see a number that I am proud of.  I hope to see a number that is much lower than it could be because my love of running continues to this day.  Running keeps me in shape, keeps me sane and it gives me friends who enjoy it almost as much as I do.

I run, therefore I am.

Terry Johnson