Unforgettable: Meeting the Elite Runners

Karen, 6 years in SRLA - Camino Nuevo High School #2

Meeting Sarah and Ryan Hall was an unforgettable experience because my teammates and I got to meet one of the most amazing runners in the world. ​This was an opportunity that not many runners have the chance to ask for advice, have their signatures, stretch, run, and even watch them run. I especially enjoyed the fact that they made us feel welcomed and made us feel as if we had known them for years. Lastly, it was great to know that they were proud of all of the hard work that we put in the last seven months.

Ever since I met Sarah and Ryan, I've rediscovered the initial reason to why I run marathons. I run because I am passionate about this sport and I indulge every moment with it. Although I might dedicate each mile to someone special, deep down I know that I do this sport because its what my heart most desires. Most importantly, these two awesome runners motivated me to keep having a positive mind and to never give up on my dreams. In a runner's world, there is no such word as "impossible". On March 15, 2015, I will run the Asics LA Marathon with my SRLA team, finish strong, and reach my goal in finishing in 4 hours and 45 minutes.   

#SarahandRyanareawesome!

18 Miles: A Piece of Cake

Cesar, 3 years in SRLA - Camino Nuevo High School #2

Since this is my third year training for the LA Marathon, I knew how the Friendship Run was going to be. I was not worried or scared of how I would do during the run. I was confident. Running the Friendship Run is an amazing experience because I saw many people running with their friends. The race day was a perfect day for a run, aside from the blazing hot sun - it was piece of cake.

No Casualties @the Friendship Run

Laina, 4 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

First practice at Hansen Dam: 15 miles – everything was looking peachy…not really. My body hurt, it was cold, and most of all, super windy! I might have swallowed half a pound of dirt from all that wind. Second practice at Hansen Dam: 10 miles – the sun was out, I felt good, it looked like a prosperous run with no casualties. Now, the big day came: the 18 Mile Friendship Run. Let's have an honest moment here: I am a 4-year marathon veteran. I know what I'm getting myself to. However, the 18 Miler always takes a toll on my brain and body. It's so long and that first lap kinda kills you. I ran with a close friend at this year’s race; we usually don't run together, but we always find each other, so we both thought, "Why not?" Our goal: Don't get picked up by “The Bus of Doom."

The first lap was going great. Mile 6 came along and the sun was blazingly hot! #TheThirstWasReal

Mile 15 by 11:15am and I felt that I was good. No Bus of Doom for me! We jogged the last mile together and we crossed the Finish Line.  It wasn't a new PR for me; it was more about doing something that I was proud of. When I finished, I grabbed two water bottles, three Rice Krispies Treats and three oranges. I headed to my marathon team, known as the MIGHTY TIGERS, and celebrated with them our accomplishment together as a family with even MORE food. :)

 

The Meaning behind the Friendship Run

Fernanda, 3 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

This being my third 18-miler, I thought it would be a lot easier to accomplish compared to the other two races that I had run in the past. But it totally wasn’t. I felt completely exhausted and tired by the third mile, making me wonder what I had gotten myself into. I have to admit that during the first lap I felt like dying and giving up. And I know that it sounds a little too much, but that’s exactly what I felt in the moment. I felt like it was the hardest thing that I had ever done and then suddenly halfway done, I understood the point of the Friendship Run.

Every year, I have run the Friendship Run with the same person. We push one another and encourage each other every step of the run. And this year, it was no different. I ran with the same friend who not only cared about finishing the run at her own pace, but someone who was just as tired as I was, and yet still had the strength to push me and remind me to do my best. She made me realize that running is not all about competition and time, but about actually finishing strong and giving it my best. And just like every year, this year’s 18 Miler made me see how great of a team SRLA is. SRLA @ Camino Nuevo High School is filled with people who don’t let each other give up, even when we think we can’t keep going any longer. Although the rest of my amazing team finished at different times, I have the honor of successfully finishing the Friendship Run with all of them. 

Tougher than the LA Marathon: 18 Miles @Hansen Dam

Omar, 4 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

When I listen to the name, "Hansen Dam", I think of the toughest place I have ever trained for the LA Marathon (well, I haven't trained anywhere else outside of the Southern California area, so: no biggie!). This year, I ran the SRLA Friendship Run for my fourth consecutive year. I can practically say I have conquered this course! I don't like to consider that because I still struggle every single time I go through this course.

I would say it would be the course itself that is such a struggle. Mile after mile, you are at a different elevation so breathing becomes a factor, especially for me since I'm an asthmatic runner. My team ran this place twice this year during our weekend practices. The first was a 15-miler, where I probably had one of the worst practices I have had since my first year back running back during the 2011 – 2012 season. The wind was going crazy all over the place, it was even pushing me around up in the dam. That's when I figured this place still hasn't changed a bit. I managed to finish at a slow rate, but I didn't feel as I if I had run at my normal pace. The following week, we had a 10 mile practice: a perfect run from the start. I knew I was ready for the next week, the 18 Miler.

There was traffic trying to enter the school bus parking lot, so I used my time preparing my mind for the run. I didn't know how I would approach the run. Run a small pace I can keep up for the entire run? Or go pretty fast the first lap trying to squeeze out a really fast finishing time? I decided the safer approach by taking my time, because the second lap I figured is always tougher. My team was so far behind in race preparation. We didn't even have much time to stretch because the race had already began. We sang our pump up song as a team, which was enough to get me going. People stared at us like if we were crazy, but we didn't mind. The run started and I started out pretty okay. I saw the flags we had to stay ahead of, and I worried for everyone who had trouble keeping up with it. Hopefully everyone stayed ahead of it. 

The first lap went by pretty easily. I managed to catch up to my little brother, who had a stomach ache early in the run. I wished him luck and moved on. After the first lap, I thought to myself, "How am I feeling?" I seemed to be fine, my little strategy was working fine. I remembered to keep up my salts and sugars, because our coach, DQ, always told us to eat pretzels and candy along the way. I came up to about mile 12, just about the other side of the entrance of the dam, and that's where I had to take my first break. I seemed to be pretty tired out as this is always where I hit the runner’s wall in the course. I needed to keep up my pace, so I moved along. Every mile seemed to get longer for me, until it was time to do the dam one final time. I needed about three more miles to finish, but the dam was there waiting to take away all the energy left in me. I started off slow, I knew there would be limited fluids up there so I watched how fast I went. Soon enough I hit the midpoint of the dam, where people were handing out water, pretzels, and oranges: exactly what I needed for the remainder for the run. I hit mile 17 and I could just hear the people finishing and I got excited. Taking everything slow, I finished the dam and hit the final downhill. My pace got faster as I was eager to finish. I skipped the final water station and saw the Finish Line. I went faster as people all over cheered on the runners and I sprinted to the Finish Line. Finally, for the fourth year in a row, I finished the SRLA Friendship Run. I got my fastest time yet at 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 32 seconds. I conquered the dam once more!

The Friendship Run 3x in a Row

Diana, 3 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

The Friendship Run is probably one of the most challenging races from the SRLA season. This past Sunday was my third time running the Friendship Run. Over the past years, I could see myself improve not only physically, but mentally.  

Before the race, I was so anxious, just like any other runner who's about to run a race. I've been running at Hansen Dam for my weekend runs – of course I felt prepared! Well, that's what my mind wanted me to know during those weekend runs. However, when it came to race day: "What will the route look like?" As I got out of the bus, I went to stretch. Then I got my phone ready to listen to music, and then I went out on the course!

"If I finished this race two times, I'm pretty sure I can finish this for my third time." That was my only motivational saying of mine. When I felt like walking, I would time myself for 15 seconds and start running again. That worked for the most part, but I was in pain. The pain didn't stop me from finishing that race. Thankfully, there were many SRLA volunteers, and parents who helped me and everyone else out. We wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for them. When I entered inside the Dam, I got this relaxing sensation: fresh air, nice view, flat surface. That was my favorite part of the course!

As I got closer to the Finish Line, I got excited; excited because I would finish, because I would finally get the chance to rest, and because I knew that I could proudly go home to my family and tell them that I did it. As I crossed the Finish Line, I saw Mr. Ikeda, my English teacher. He congratulated me and asked me how I felt. It came to the point that I was about to cry. 

As a Friendship Race finisher for the third time, and about to be a marathon finisher for the third time, I can say that SRLA has helped me a lot in overcoming different obstacles. I would like to thank all SRLA volunteers because of you we wouldn't have finished this challenging race. I would also like to thank my coaches: Ms. DQ, Ms. Ramirez, Mr. Ikeda, and Mr. DLC for all of your dedication in helping us to finish strong. Thank you! 

Now I guess you might know what my marathon saying for next month will be... 

Revisiting the 18 Mile Friendship Run

Anna, 3 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

Last Sunday morning, I grabbed my fanny pack, and stuffed it with my iPhone, sunglasses, and three Starbursts. For the third and last time, I’d take on the infamous, Friendship Run at Hansen Dam; but for some reason, I failed to remember how painstaking and dreadful two loops around Hansen Dam are. That same morning, I rediscovered the definition of pain and friendship.

The first loop around the dam is always the easiest. It’s the one loop where you confidently say, “It’s not that bad. I can quickly finish this.” Runners are in their prime, sprinting down the course and happily waving at others they recognize. The sun has generously hid behind a cloud, making the weather absolutely perfect! Heck, I can run three times around this Dam.

Then, the second loop came around and I, along with other runners, have started a rendition of The Walking Dead’s sixth season. I began to walk strangely, and experienced hip pain. The soles of my feet were aching, as if I stepped on a bed of nails.  At times, I found myself strangely sprinting to the generous teams of SRLA volunteers at the water stations. Thank God my friend, Genisis, and Coach DQ found me on the second loop; their support truly carried me on.

However, amidst all the body aching, I realized that this race brought together the idea of companionship, dedication, and triumph.  At mile 13, I started to limp and continued to walk even slower. Genisis soon noticed my injury and took my hand to guide me across the Dam. 

When I entered the Dam, my Spotify playlist on my iPhone could no longer play because of the internet connection. And so, when I could no longer resort to music for inspiration, I contemplated the 18 specific people I would dedicate my last run for.

For the last mile, I thought of Michelle, a cancer patient Coach DQ told us about that morning. I dedicated my last mile to her and the patients I met at Children’s Hospital. A little bit longer and I’d be done. I hope they get a little bit longer too.

Getting Back on Your Feet with 18 Miles to Go

Karen, 6 years – Camino Nuevo High School #2

Running an 18 miler at Hansen Dam is one of the most challenging races anyone can run. There are many obstacles which you have to face while running the course. First, you have to mentally prepare yourself that there will be many times in which you will want to die, but you have to keep going. Secondly, expect that throughout the course it might be really hot, windy, or cold. Lastly, you have to face the reality that at any point throughout the course there is a 50% chance of falling onto the concrete.

Honestly, those are the list of things that have popped up into my head as I began each practice and each race at Hansen Dam. Out of the five years that I have participated in SRLA, I only ran the 18 Miler twice. The other three races, I twisted my ankle, and couldn't run and finish the race.

Although I have always felt beaten down for not completing the Hansen Dam course, I always felt inclined to go back again each year and face that route. Everyone has that one obstacle they would one day want to face, and for me, it's this course.

Many of my teammates have suggested me to not run this race in the future, but I plan to run this specific 18 Miler again. If there is one thing that SRLA and this course has taught me, it is that you can't give up on the first, second, third, fourth, or millionth time you fall down. You’ve got to set aside your ego, recover from your injury, and get back up on your feet. I learned that as a runner and as a human being, you’ve got to be physically prepared and most importantly, mentally prepared. If you know and believe that you can do it, you will be able to complete anything you set your mind to doing: NOTHING is impossible. You’ve just got to believe that anything can happen.

I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to be able to train and run a few 18 milers at Hansen Dam. This race made me a stronger runner and human being.

I know and I am positive that one day I will complete the 18 Miler at Hansen Dam and many more. 

#willalwaysloveHansenDam :)

The Secret to Running 18 Miles

Marvin, 4 years in SRLA – Camino Nuevo High School #2

Since the 8th grade, I have run 3 marathons, 6 half marathons, two 15K races, five 10K races, and two 5K races. So when I say that the 18-Mile Friendship Run is the hardest course I've ever run, that means a lot.

It consists of two 9-mile laps around Pacoima and through Hansen Dam Park. But the beauty of the area does not help conquer this beastly course. One mile can have an overbearing heatwave and the next mile can have a strong cold draft. The next mile can have clouds and light rain, while the next one has a persistent sandstorm. Just overall crazy weather.

Two out of the four times I ran this course, I ran it alone: literally the worst idea ever. I was in horrible pain, with my knees cramping up, and no one to help push me through the course. I ran it once with a knee brace thinking that it would ease the course for me, but it was of no use. Actually, it gave me a pretty bad tan.

But luckily in the last two times I have run this course, I discovered the secret to defeating this monstrous race: running with a friend. Sounds a bit far fetched that running with a companion will help finish this, but this actually works. I ran the last race with my one of my closest friends, and even though we were both in pain, we made it through and did better than when we ran alone. It helps to run with a friend because you get to have someone push you through, someone to ask if you are okay to run, and someone to experience the pain of the race with. I guess they don’t call it the Friendship Run for nothing.

So my advice to a fellow runner planning to run the 18-Mile Friendship Run or any run for that matter: run with a friend. Trust me.

The Strength of Teamwork & Friendship @the 18-Miler

Mirella, 4 years in SRLA - Camino Nuevo High School #2

The dictionary states that teamwork means a group of persons acting together as a team with a common interest. Through running with SRLA I was able to find the meaning of teamwork through my work with my team and myself. Many people can say they know many words and the definitions of it, but it is different when one develops its meaning and puts the words of it into action. In the Friendship Run, one is able to clearly show it. The Friendship Run is a race, but in reality, it’s a test of courage, heart, and mental strength that thousands of students take. I can personally say it is more difficult than the L.A Marathon itself. 

Camino Nuevo High School started with a small group of SRLA students 11 years ago. Now, we are one of the largest groups of all SRLA. Not only has the number of members increased, but its strength has too. Being a member of the SRLA family these last four years is an honor as I learned values, received unforgettab
le memories, and have had life changing journeys. Yet, the Friendship Run has its own chapter in my team's journey and mine. 

My team always starts together at the starting line to show our support regardless if we are the last group behind thousands of people. Then, we proudly start together singing, "I can do it. We can do it. We will do it," as we start the race. We set off with lots of strength and support from one another knowing the challenging course we will face at Hansen Dam. For the last three Friendship Runs I have run, I have always ran it with my friend; we coincidentally meet in the middle of the race. I meet him when I need a small push to keep going. My team works together mentally and physically as we run. This gives me more courage to face pain because I know that my team feels it when someone needs them. Without speaking to each other, we are able to understand each other by just running together. We continue to run as we hear our footsteps dominating the course. As we enter the dam, my friend fell and hurt his ankle, which did not allow him to stand up for a while. He was there when I needed him the most, and I was there when he needed someone as well. It took us a while to continue running because of the pain he was feeling and my lack of strength from before, but we felt stronger than when we began. We felt stronger than before because we were putting our all and fighting against both pride and knee pain in those last two miles. It is not easy to beat Hansen Dam, especially alone, and we know it. No one wants pain, but one cannot have a rainbow without a little rain. I am grateful to have run the Friendship Race with my friend. But I am more grateful of being in SRLA with my team because they always stand next to me even though they are not running with me physically.

In this last Friendship Run I was not with my friend, but I felt the presence of my team stronger than ever. We started together again giving our support. We were 7 minutes late starting because of the long restroom line, but we started together. As I was running, my knee began to hurt at mile 8 from my previous injury. Therefore, I slowed down and felt a little discouraged. When thinking this way, I met my friend, Karen, but not in a pleasant place. She was sitting on the sidewalk holding her leg because she fell and could no longer walk. I felt helpless because I couldn't do anything for her at the time. I stood with her for about 10 minutes. She told me to leave after a while. I felt I was making the situation worst, so I left when I knew her mom was on her way. As I started running, I wasn't feeling well because I was thinking I did a mistake of leaving her. However, I then realized I was completely wrong. I had to keep running my best for her, the rest of my team, my coaches, my family and myself.  I ran. I felt Karen's and my team member's presence, work, laughs, and passion they all left on the first lap of the course and the trainings we had done before in Hansen Dam. All of our hard training and heart were left on the road, which already made us winners of this course. So I continued to run with a better mind and heart compared to the first lap as I dedicated the last miles to Karen who did not have the opportunity that I did. I was hurt, but not compared to other runners that I saw. Every left step I took was mine, but every right step I took was my friend's (Karen), Michelle's, and the rest of my SRLA family members. 

After the race, I got to hear the journeys my team members faced too. Richard, my team member, said there was a moment where he felt he couldn't run. Richard said the only problem was that another member of the team did not want to leave him. But, he said, "Don't stay with me now. Why? We are going to see ourselves in the finish line… where we can celebrate." His words hit me as I knew I was thinking of going back for my friend. This race tested the bond and relationship we have as a team, which I proudly say we passed and dominated it with sweat, tears, pain and love as we crossed the Finish Line of the Friendship Run chapter.