Thank God for Hometowns

When we have our first meeting for the J-Town Running Club, my classroom is usually crowded with 50 plus students.  At that first meeting I promise them that if they put in the effort, train, and work hard, we will do everything in our power to get them across the finish line.  I continue to reinforce that promise as the numbers dwindle.  Those who stick with us are strong in body, strong in mind and strong in heart.  This gig is not for everyone. 

This year we did not realize that the promise of getting the kids across the finish line would be SO EXPENSIVE and never have this many kids stuck around. We have received many donations over the past couple months from people who do not know our students, but their kindness of heart and spirit compelled them to sponsor our students.  Absolutely amazing!!  This past week we received a significant donation that put us so close to our goal that we immediately registered the kids.  That and the email from the LA Marathon that they were 500 spots from sellout gave us the urgency and the impetus to just DO IT.  What a great feeling!

Of course, I cried and so did a couple of the girls when I shared the donations with the kids and that we would be registering.  The boys just dropped their jaws.  A male colleague laughed at me for crying when I am happy.  I couldn’t help it.  This year is our largest group and our largest expense.  I just kept hoping and praying I would be able to follow through on the promise; finally knowing that it was actually going to happen was an incredible feeling and I was overcome.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Yesterday on my run, I cried again, yes, I'm an emotional wimp.  I was about 8 miles into the 20 when a Carrie Underwood song came on my IPod (yes, I listen to country when I run).  It was called “Thank God for Hometowns.”  I had never listened to it before and it was perfect.  It is the support of many family and friends from my hometown that got us here.  As I continued to run I reflected on where I came from and all of those who helped me get to where I am today.  I am not the same person I was 15 years ago or 10 years ago or even 5 years ago.  Every person I encounter has and continues to shape who I am. 

The foundation that was built in my hometown of Gustine, CA is something that is dear to me.  While I may be miles away the words and influence of many coaches, teachers and advisors, family and friends continues to impact my life and the choices I make.  Del Cid and I do this running club gig for free, just as the many special people back home did to give kids an opportunity.  As one of those kids, I cannot thank you enough.  Thank you for putting up with my attitude =) and never giving up on me. 

From little league and letting me play in the boys league to fast pitch to 4-H, high school sports and FFA and all the teachers in between. Though this list is not exhaustive, thank you:

Tracy Silva, Jerry Silva, Denise Azevedo, Ron and Phil DePauw, Ralph Clark, Jennifer Jamero, Donnie Mendonca, Dalila Hernandez, Andy Guzman, Jorge Marin, Gary Vargas, Kathy Borba, Rod Addington, Dennis Bettencourt, Leroy Oliveira, Pat Nagy, Debbie Silva, Joe Martin, Jamie Farao and Barbara Azevedo and countless teachers in between.

I hope that I can repay my thanks, by paying it forward and I hope that the young people I work with will continue to do the same.  The values you and the community of Gustine instilled in me continue to send a ripple in this great big ocean of life.

I do not run for me.  I run to say thank you.

Life is good.

God is great.

Thank God for Hometowns – Carrie Underwood

Thank God for hometowns
And all the love that makes you go round
Thank God for the county lines that welcome you back in
When you were dying to get out
Thank God for Church pews
And all the faces that won’t forget you
Cause when you’re lost out in this crazy world
You got somewhere to go and get found
Thank God for hometowns

I am looking forward to a few runs when I am home for Easter, “I always find another piece of me Walking down these old familiar streets.”

With love and gratitude,

Whitney

            

20 miles... 17 kids.... 1 GOAL... LA here we come.

Yesterday we reached the peak of our training…. the 20 miler.  Certainly not something we were looking forward to but boy does it feel good when it’s done!  We are 3 short weeks away from crossing the Los Angeles Marathon finish line!  After a tough 14 in heat last weekend, it was a tough week heading into the 20 miler.  We caravanned down to the beach for this run; we would need the water fountains and restrooms and the atmosphere sure beats the LA River bike trail. 

A few injuries and missed practices have put us at 17 students and they are an incredible bunch.  One of the things we really emphasize is for the students to take care of each other out there.  It is beautiful to see them do just that, motivating and pushing one other through the distance.  Unlikely friendships have been forged as we all step out of our comfort zones.  That has always been one of my favorite things about running club.  People whose lives would never have crossed paths are cheering one another on and sharing in a common struggle and goal that will forever bind them.  Not everyone can do this; but together we can and do. 

I usually… on good days finish in the middle of the pack.  As I came running in yesterday, the cheers of those who finished before me greeted me.  Those last 50 yards were my favorite part of the run.  Of course, because I was finished but, it was the cheers are what made my heart smile.  We are a team and continued to do the same for the rest of the finishers.  As we lay on the grass eating everything in sight, we chatted about the days run, when we hurt, where we hurt, who and what we saw, how we motivated each other and how good it felt to be done.  Another on of my favorite things (I have a lot of them) about running club; sharing in something incredible with amazing young people.  I like to remind them that back in October, this was all a hazy dream and a fear.  Here we are running all over that fear doing something we never thought we could.  After our tough run last week, I sent the kids this quote as a little motivation:

"If I could do the seemingly impossible – run a marathon – what else could I do? There is something profoundly liberating about this quintessential running achievement. It's as if in accomplishing it, we not only surpass a performance threshold that now redefines us as an athlete, but we also have exceeded our own threshold of personal limitation. A marathon, and most other benchmark athletic accomplishments, become watershed moments for many of us, perhaps because our bodies take us to a place our minds thought they couldn't go. And our mind, unconfined, throws open the door to enormous personal potential."

-Mina Samuels, Run Like a Girl

Nothing is impossible.  

18 Mile Friendship Run

Yesterday, February 10, 2013, 18 J-Town Runners successfully completed the 18 mile Friendship Run at Hansen Dam.  We were lucky to receive a discount in race registration from the event coordinators, THANK YOU SRLA!  The discount provided for us to get all the students to the race in two vans.  Students were up early and we hit the road at 5AM to travel to the race.  Both Sandra Del Cid and I got to drive the big party vans.  This kids were comfortable and had a good time.  We arrived in Sylmar before the sun and had some time to relax and prepare for the race.  It was a cold morning and the vans were cozy.  We were able to drag them out of the vans in time to stretch and warm-up before race time.  The race is put on by SRLA and we ran with a few thousand other teens who are also training for the LA Marathon.  It is quite inspiring to see so many kids out there.  It's good for our students to see that they are not the only crazy ones putting in the miles.  =)

This was our longest training run so far and the kids certainly felt the difference.  The race is two 9 mile loops and there are some nice steady hills at miles 3-5 and 12-14.  We were all made quite aware of our calf muscles!  It is always fun to talk with the students after the race about how we felt, what hurt, who we saw, and how we did.  There was lots of success to celebrate.  Jennifer took off over 20 minutes from her time last year and broke 3 hours!  Marisol took off 10 minutes from her time last year!  Ms. Del Cid PR'd  and broke 3 hours!! And Ms. Gomes took off over 25 minutes from her time last year!  The rest of the runners are new this year and all did well.  Luis and Eduardo both finished under 2:30!  All students supported each other throughout the race cheering and pacing one another.  It was great to see them cross the finish line together and talk about how the others kept them going.  LA is only 5 weeks away and the excitement is building!!

We have received many donations in the past couple weeks and are beyond grateful for the support.
THANK YOU!!

We currently have $1500 towards our $3500 goal.

We continue to work hard fundraising and working with the community to get these amazing students across the Los Angeles Marathon finish line.
If you have not donated and would like to, the link below will take you to a secure page for online donations.

 http://wocompassion.org/?page_id=654

Donations can also be sent to:
Whitney Gomes
Jordan High School
6500 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
Make Checks Payable to: J-Town Running Club

Thank you for your support.

Rain or Shine... Next up 18

Rain or Shine... Next up 18.

We are still in desperate need of donations.  Despite our attempts to scare the kids away with long runs in the rain, they just won't go away.  We're looking at closer to 20 students for the Marathon.  Exciting!

If you are able to donate, this link will take you to a secure page for online donations. Thank you!!

 http://wocompassion.org/?page_id=654
Donations can also be sent to:
Whitney Gomes
Jordan High School
6500 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
Make Checks Payable to: J-Town Running Club

The 1st Half.

Last weekend we braved the rain for 16 miles.  It wasn't a downpour but we could each wring a cup or two of water out of our shirts.  Overall, I think the kids had a good time and it was good training.  I don't want to jinx it, but, just in case conditions are not so desirable on race day, this was good to do.  They're even smiling!

Last few.  Some escaped with out a pic.

 This Saturday, February 2, I got to be a spectator, kind of.  Sandra and I are doing the Huntington Beach Half Marathon on Sunday so we did not do the entire 14-18 with the kids.  Sandra did a few miles to stay loose and I rode my bike to keep track of the children.  This also provided me the opportunity to take some pictures along our training route.  I had a great time and I can only imagine what the kids were saying about me as I leisurely cycled ahead, as they were trudging along.  =) All of the kids did at least 14.  A couple boys had too much energy and decided to scare the heck out of me and do 18 without telling me.  I was about to ride all over Long Beach looking for them when they came in laughing.  Not funny. But, I am proud of them for taking the challenge.  Here are a few pics from today.

Here they come...

The race is on.

That looks like Albert's Oh Hell No face.