J-Town Running Club: February 2014

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.

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