7,000 Mile Streak, Family Support, Advice to Runners & more with Mario Medina
We're thrilled to introduce Mario Medina, a runner who has achieved an extraordinary feat: running every single day for 7000 consecutive days. In this Q&A, Mario shares his mental strategies and daily routines that have enabled him to maintain such an impressive streak. He also discusses the challenges he's faced, the role his family has played, and offers valuable advice to participants of this year's NYC and Berlin Marathons.
SM: What motivated you to start your running streak, and how did you stay motivated over the years?
MM: I started streak running when I lost my sight. I was inspired by a good friend who had a 30+ year running streak. My first streak ended at 125 days because I broke my leg running! I started my second streak on January 1st 2017 and it has become a lifestyle rather than just a streak. There are fun milestones as well! The first 365, the first comma day {day 1,000} there is even a Forest Gump Day { 3 years two months and 14 days} and i recently hit the 10,000 mile mark for my streak! All these make the journey memorable and fun!
Can you describe your daily routine and how you integrate running into your schedule, regardless of circumstances?
MM: Streak running requires flexibility, I run at all time of the day and night and in all conditions! I will run at midnight or whenever I can. I have run in the rain, snow, a blizzard, a hurricane, extreme heat and even during an earthquake!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your 10,000 mile streak, and how did you overcome them?
MM: During my streak there has only been one day that I thought my streak would end. I had fractured my sacrum and I wasn't sure I would be able to run the required mile to maintain my streak. My amazing wife, running partner, fellow streak runner and she's a doctor, made sure I ran that mile and did it safely and made sure I didn't fall. It was a pain in the butt {all puns intended} but I am glad I ran through it!
How has your family supported you throughout this journey, and what role have they played in your success?
MM: The family has been amazing throughout the journey! I have run a race with everyone of my children and they encourage me to continue to run every day even when I have an injury that would sideline most runners! My biggest inspiration is my streak running partner and wife! She is the hardest working human I know! She will get up at 4am on days she has to work a 24 hour shift to make sure she gets her run in for the day! I love that we are a family of runners and I have run a marathon with my youngest son Guy and eldest daughter Analisa. I hope to run one with my youngest daughter Layla and hold out hopes of running with my oldest son Mario! But there is no pressure! My most memorable marathons were the 2018 NYC marathon because my dad got to see me run and post my best marathon ever! And the Chicago Marathon because I got to cross the finish line with my wife Aimee!
What mental strategies do you employ to maintain consistency and push through tough days?
MM: My mental strategies were developed when I started losing my sight and honed when I lost my sight. I used running to keep my independence. I hid the fact I couldn't see for many years so that people wouldn't treat me differently. So that meant running by myself and learning to motivate myself to want to run. It wasn't hard because I felt free and accomplished with every mile I ran.
What advice would you give to runners participating in this year's NYC and Berlin Marathons?
MM: Having run 11 marathons and one ultra marathon this is easy; first respect the distance! The marathon can and will humble you. Second, run your race! It's your race at your pace! Lastly smile and enjoy the experience! It will change your life and don't forget to smile for the cameras.
If you were a pollinator, which one would you be and why? (Honeybee, Bumblebee, Monarch Butterfly, Hummingbird, Bat, Moth)
MM: I would be a Bat. When I was diagnosed with the disease that eventually left me legally blind for several years I was told that the disease would progress while I slept. So I learned not to sleep at night. After I lost my sight I loved running at night or in the early mornings! I was able to use my other senses! It was less noisy so I could hear things around me and I could feel the air around me change when I approached things. It as an amazing feeling, I felt like I had super powers! But every superhero has a kryptonite and mine were ninja fire hydrants and evil pot holes! I could see like a bat, I just couldn't fly like one!
What do you love most about New York?
MM: I love everything about New York City! The history, buildings and food are amazing but if I had to choose one thing that I love the most it would be the culture especially here is East Harlem! It's that culture and diversity that brings the greatest City in the world to life! .
Stay tuned as Mario Medina shares his insights and experiences, offering a wealth of knowledge for runners and enthusiasts alike.
