J-Town Running Club: 2014

Wow! Where has the season gone? It is hard to believe that we will be taking to the streets of Los Angeles in 5 short days! Tomorrow, Wednesday will be our last official training run together. It will be a bittersweet day. As much as it may sometimes seem like a chore at the end of a tired day, we will miss these times running together. Three weeks ago we made it down to the beach for our 20 mile run. For many of us, it turned in to 21+ and we were still smiling…or passed out on the grass on the bluff…..Juan. =) It was a monumental day. Who would have thought…after never running more than a mile in PE, these champs would finish 20 miles Amazing! As Serena finished she became emotional realizing what she had just done, I got emotional too, that feeling is what it is all about. I love the conversations after the run about how we each felt through the miles, the sights we saw; how we cheered one another on and what we planned to eat as soon as we got home. A common feeling among “us” runners is the slight annoyance of the chatter of others who down play the mile we run and say, “they could easily do it, too”. The students shared that frustration of others who just don’t understand. This is something that many people can do, but few chose to put in the effort and make it happen. Our runners do not just talk about it, they are about it and we are very proud of them. We are runners!

After 20 miles, 14 the next weekend was quite relaxing, but we are tired. This late in the season it takes a lot of focus to keep going. It was a tough run, but we did it. The river bike path is not as nice as the beach, but it is home to us. Last week the weather scared us away and we did our final “long run” on Monday. With a few grunts and groans, we got out there and muscled it out. Maoleng snapped some pictures as we ran along. I have been absent quite a bit this season and cherish each time I get to be out there with the crew. This will be a tough marathon, but the excitement of the meeting the kids at the finish line will get me through.

As the season comes to a close we have many people to thank for helping us get across the finish line. We are very grateful for all who have donated. Thank you to all who sent in checks or donated via the site that Isaac set up. He took the initiative to set that up and clearly shows what Running Club means to students who take the opportunity to participate. Isaac ran with us last year. His effort and determination left a little…. or a lot, to be desired. I couldn’t figure him out. A year ago this time, I asked him if he even wanted to do the race…he shrugged his shoulders! I was in shock. Come to find out, like many of us, the thought of running 26.2 miles scared the heck out of him. As disappointed as I was in the shrug of the shoulders, I could not be more proud of the young man he has become since crossing the finish line of the 2013 LA Marathon. He has changed his attitude, gained confidence and has really hustled for the team this year. He is but one example of what doing the seemingly impossible can do for a person. We are grateful to have Keifer, Alberto, Armando and Isaac training with us again this year. They are great motivators for the team. Cindy, Marisol, Armando and many other students have really worked hard to put the word out in the community about the J-Town Running Club and worked hard to get donations to get all students across the finish line. Their dedication and support means a lot to Ms. Del Cid and I.

I will check back in on Friday after our trip to the expo and team dinner. We are blessed to work with incredible students and have the support of our family and friends.

Many Thanks,

Whitney and Sandra

This is the link to the site: ttps://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cgj8a/ab/02izpa

J-Town Running Club! LA Marathon 2014

fundrazr.com

If you are able, we appreciate any and all support.

Donations can also be sent to:

J-Town Running Club

Jordan High School

6500 Atlantic Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90805

All donations are tax deductible and a receipt can be provided with our tax ID #

Yesterday J-Town Runners muscled through two 9-mile loops of the hilly SRLA Friendship Run. The weather was at times perfect for running and at times the wind and the cold took an extra kick to push through. We were up and at ‘em early to make the drive to the Hansen Dam in Sylmar where the race is held. While this is not the most exciting course of race season it is always an enjoyable one for me and I think the kids enjoy it too….after it is over. The race is put on by SRLA and the bulk of the participants are SRLA teams. Much of the field is teenagers and it is wonderful for our students to see that they are not the only crazy ones out running for “fun”. We are very grateful to SRLA for putting on the race and for providing us a discount to registration. We could not have done it without that!

I enjoy the course, NOT because of the hills, but because it gives me the opportunity to see the kids on the course a couple times. The two nine mile loops and the course set-up provide for that. I love that I can check on them and cheer them on. As I search for them in the crowd as I run, I sometimes forget how much my body hurts. =) All of the students finished successfully. Eduardo took over 10 minutes off his time from last year and Ms. Del Cid tore up the course with a 2:50 PR and took over 15 minutes off her previous time. This year we are fortunate to have some alumni running with us. This is Alberto Nunez’s third year with Running Club. Over the past three years he has lost 60 pounds and gained incredible speed; he took off over 30 minutes from last year. Victoria was our first girl to finish in 3:02. A great time for her first 18 miler. She is consistent and has done well each race. Itzel was not far behind her with a 3:06. Jonathan is our fighter. He has been battling injury for quite a while and with some time off was able to finish the 18 miler. Around mile 13 he popped an arch in his foot and with great pain continued to fight on. We are very proud of him and his tenacity. Keep him in your thoughts as we hope to have him healed for LA. Students do not feel neglected if I did not report on your time that would be far too long of a post. Know that I am beyond proud of each of you. 18 miles is no joke, be very proud of what you have accomplished. We came with 12 current students and 4 alumni and they all did a wonderful job. Time is of no concern as long as they finish safely and have fun out there.

Two of our alumni and one current team member participated in the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach this Sunday. They all trained on their own and did the Long Beach Marathon in October. They signed up to do Surf City together, too. Marisol and Armando completed the Half Marathon and Carol completed the full marathon, her third in a year!!! Wow! We commend them for taking on the training together. So, in total this weekend the J-Town Running Club had 19 runners out putting in miles. I love it!!

Six years ago when we started the J-Town Running Club Ms. Del Cid and I could never have imagined the impact it would have on the lives of students and our own. This is something we do for fun and for love. It is all worth it to see the students excited and feeling accomplished. It is wonderful to have our alumni join us on runs and motivate current runners. Alberto, Keifer, Isaac, Armando and Carol have regularly run with us. Armando also motivated his sister Josefina (also a Jordan High School Alum) to join us and train to complete her first marathon. It really warms my heart to have them out with us. After 6 long months training together we do become a little family. The miles, trials, tribulations, smiles and success forever bond us. I am honored to have you with us keeping the tradition alive and for making running and a healthy lifestyle part of your life.

While I was gone in India the students completed their first race, the So Cal Half Marathon. I thought of the crew frequently while in India and missed running. After a terrible bout with jetlag, I made it back out to run on January 25^th. That Saturday we completed 16 miles. My 4^th run in 4 weeks and needless to say it was painful. But, I was so happy to be back. Full of anxiety, I made it to the park to stretch. As we took off to run I could not wipe the smile off my face and a few happy tears. As I climbed up the stairs to the river trail and saw the line of students and Del Cid off running, my smiled widened and I felt right at home. =) I took the opportunity to ease back into running by going slow and chatting with as many of the kids as would slow down for me along the way. Thanks for welcoming me back; it’s good to be home.

We have 5 short weeks left before the LA Marathon. We will have 12 students and 5 alumni running the LA Marathon with us. This will be Marisol’s third LA Marathon and the second for Eduardo, Keifer, Alberto and Armando. It is getting down to crunch time. The cost of the marathon will be $180/student just for registration. An additional $700 for transportation, dinner, nutrition and race singlets is needed. Right now we are about $2000 short of our goal. The students have been fundraising for the previous races and we continue to keep them hustling. Any and all support is appreciated. Donations will be prioritized for current members, but we also hope to be able to provide alumni dinner and transportation to the race.

One of the beautiful things about this club is the connection it builds among students and the character that it builds within them. Last year Isaac was a senior. He was not always confident and sometimes we questioned his dedication. Finishing the marathon was a monumental event for him and he gained confidence and a new outlook on life. While we thought we had scared him away, he came back again this year and his sister Itzel has stuck with us as well. She did not want to watch from the sidelines again. =) Back to the character that kids develop…Isaac has stayed after practice many times to discuss options for fundraising and ways that he can help. He took it upon himself to set up an online fundraising account for the club. We are very proud of him and grateful for what he has done.