Universal Studios Backlot 15K Race Recap

• Cortines High School Student Experiences
• Returning Student Runner - Zeltzin Talking to myself for over an hour, I ran three laps around the backlot of Universal Studios today. As a fourth year returning runner, I was not too jolted by the actual course; however, I hadn't remembered each lap being as long as they were.
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  When my school arrived at the location of the race this morning, each of my team members had their arms crossed trying to keep their bodies warm. We weren't the only school trying to fight off the cold weather because as I looked around, I saw other teams doing group exercises to warm up their bodies.

  After about forty minutes of waiting in line to use the porta potty, I arrived at the start line and began to wait for the race to begin. My friend Maribel and I stood next to each other surrounded by hundreds of other students talking about school, the party they went to the night before, and what they are going to do after the race.

  Finally, the buzzer sounded and a stampede of young teenagers ran off toward a clear destination. I began to take step after step focusing on the crowd in front of me. As I approached the treacherous hills I stayed calm, trying not to over-exert myself and taking small steps to reach the highest point. After the incline was over, the rest was a breeze. I ran freely down the hills and steadily on the flat surfaces, until I reached my second lap.

  Once I had to do the entire thing over again, my body was weak and feeble. I ascended up the hills for a second time, repeating "just keep swimming, just keep swimming," to myself trying to prevent my legs from walking. I reached the peak and was finally able to speed up as the flat ground greeted my tired legs and guided them down the hilly course.

  The biggest difficulty for me and a lot of the other runners were those tiresome hills. For some reason, I had more energy toward the end of the race than when it first started. It could have been because I was looking forward to eating something afterward and I already knew what to expect. Nevertheless, I ran through the third lap faster than my first two and I did not stop until I reached the finish line. Okay maybe I stopped once, but that was only to pick up a bottle of water.

  So I finished the 15k in an hour and thirty-six minutes. Thats pretty impressive for someone who only had two hours of sleep. I know, I sound ridiculous, but hey--the run wasn't that bad to be honest. Well, that is the recap of this morning and unsurprisingly I did knock out right when I lied down on my bed. Slept like a baby.

  
  

  

  New Runner - Erick Running the 15k today was a great, hilarious experience with my team. It was amazing to be running as a freshman and meeting new people along the way. Today I felt my team and coach helped me believe I could handle obstacles along the way. Sure today was pretty hard because of the hill, but it was FUN. It was so cool seeing all of the sets and students running with smiles on their faces. Finishing the race today with my fellow friends, made me think this will be the best 4 years running with SRLA. I will make the funniest memories with them too. In it to run 26.2 miles with the team. GO SRLA

  
  

  

  New Runner - Alex The volunteers and family members roared loudly with enthusiasm as we runners persevered through nine miles. For some of us, it posed as little a challenge as a normal workout. The rest of us, including me, trained ferociously to reach this point. This is my first year in SRLA and I'm willing to give it everything I've got because this is my last year in high school, my last chance to make a difference- to leave my mark as a student of my school. 

  
  

  As the bus drove towards our destination, I pondered about how I would start and finish the run. With every minute, my heart pounded with excitement and a bit of anxiety. During our arrival, the weather breathed cool air on all of us as we exited the bus. I tried not to worry about the cold, but my heart said otherwise. As we ascended the steps to the starting area, I found myself shaking with excitement. The anxiety dissipated. I had trained not only my body, but my mind as well, to keep running no matter what the circumstances are.

  
  

  Finally, the horn screamed and I turned my music on, ready to persevere. In the beginning, I didn't know what to expect. The entire space of the first area had been like an animal herd where everyone tried to pass each other to get a feel for the run. I slowed down and waited for the majority to progress ahead to avoid injury; I know some people dressed in less than I did and needed the warm-up more than I did. In addition, I some runners were wearing backpacks and other weights! I respected all of these people and wanted them to finish first.

  
  

  When the space grew larger, I set my pace and ran at a consistent pace. My mind and eyes locked forward on the road. As I progressed through the first lap, I felt all right and kept up the pace. Towards the end, I saw so many supporters and they cheered zealously for all us even if we didn't know each other. The volunteers had done the same, encouraging us from beginning to end. When the second lap manifested, my legs started to grow heavy. Nevertheless, I maintained a focused mind. I had not taken a sip of water since before breakfast; when the second lap approached its end, I took a little drink of water and then poured it all over my head. The feeling was great! Finally, the third lap began and I refreshed myself. I sped up quite a bit with this feeling and hoped to retain my speed. However, the situation was soon at odds with my tired my legs as they transformed into weights during the hills. It was as if I ran in slow motion, trying to hold my legs up and strong. When the encouragements showered, I knew I couldn't let up. Everything up until now had meant something. I can't afford to let that go to waste. With the remaining energy I had, I sprinted and caught sight of the finish line. The cheers from everyone really influenced my mindset throughout the run. When I crossed that finish line, victory seemed like paradise. I conquered those hills, baby! I mean, those bagels tasted awesome. 

  
  

  This had been my first run with hills, so this has a place in my heart. I'm so glad to be a part of this community! Future runners and veteran runners, I salute to all of you who are willing and who had been willing to discipline yourselves in overcoming these obstacles. Of course, I'll continue doing the same because that's what SRLA represents.

  
  

  

  
  

  New Runner - Leslie  Running the 15k has been one of the best experiences of my life. I really enjoyed being part of this race, since it was my first. This course was difficult due to all the hills but it was fun because I recognized different sets from movies and TV shows. Lastly, this was a great experience because after I crossed the finish line I felt great about myself and increased my confidence.

  
  

  

  
  

  New Runner - Vaness  Oh so early in the morning, for anyone especially on a Sunday, when we’re all supposed to be in our warm beds before the weekend ends. Not for us, my team of SRLA runners at VAPA and I were up before the sun to head to our 3^rd race of the season. As for every race, I was really excited to run this race; I had no idea what to expect, and surely I was not disappointed.

  
  

  As always the crowd of SRLA students devoured us, so many runners. I loved seeing everyone as devoted to run as I was. At the start of the race we were caused each other a traffic jam, but the real struggle came for me with all those hills. I personally don’t like running on hills. When I was running those dreadful hills and wanted to stop, I looked around, looked at the determined expressions on everyone's face, and followed their lead, killing those hills (well most of them).  The best part about this race was the movie sets I got to see. I mean who would t want to run in front of Whoville, or a giant crashed plane? It was all very epic, and I loved it. During the final lap, I felt all the positive energy from everyone, the people cheering us on from the sides, the volunteers, security, and especially my fellow runners. When I saw the finish line, I busted out all the strength I had to finish strong. And I finished strong. Just like the beginning of the race, the end was crowded with runners. We all began as one giant clogged up bunch and we ended as one team (eating bagels and banana slices) scattered in success. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Returning Runner - Larry  SRLA has changed my life. Running with my team helps me realize that you are never alone when facing challenges like the Universal 15k Huge hills are nothing when I run with my team. Although when I do finish running and start driving, I want a car from Whoville. It's only every runners dream!