It has sure been awhile since last update. It is hard to believe the LA Marathon is a short 5 weeks away. WOW! Where does time go. I have not updated this season and because of that I am beginning this blog with an introduction to the J-Town Running Club for those who are just joining us. A little lengthy, but thank you for checking out what J-Town Running Club has going on and if you are able, please donate. Everything helps and is sincerely appreciated.
The J-Town
Running Club began with a feeling. A
feeling that I am not sure can be explained; I know I can’t describe it. Over
ten years ago I ran my first marathon. From that day on I wanted to share the sense
of accomplishment and that inexplicable “feeling” with others. Seven years ago the J-Town Running Club at
Jordan High School in North Long Beach was born. Myself and colleague and friend, Sandra Del
Cid, work with students to train to run the 26.2-mile Los Angeles
Marathon. When others said we'd be lucky
if we got 1 kid out running, we kept pushing.
Over the past seven years we have run with countless students, 54 of
which have completed the 26.2 mile Los Angeles Marathon; some multiple
times. Over 80 have run a half marathon
(13.1 miles) and many have trained with us just for fun. It has been an amazing ride. If there are students interested in running
just for the "health of it", we will continue to provide them the
opportunity. We run each Monday and
Wednesday after school and Saturday mornings.
Dedication, determination, tenacity, focus, sacrifice. A marathon is no small feat, and for a
teenager, incredible. These young men
and women put in a considerable amount of work to get across the finish line and
emerge from the experience with lessons and a “feeling” that will be with them
the rest of their lives.
So many
people have been amazing supports the past seven years. I would like to keep you informed about what
we have going on and share the many success stories of our runners past and
present. The past few years we have been
lucky enough to have some alumni join us on long runs and weekdays when their
school schedules permit. It is wonderful
to have them with us motivating new members. That said, I asked a few alumni to share why
they joined Running Club and why they continue to run. I will share a couple of their stories with
you today.
You may
remember Jennifer from a few years back.
Jennifer started running with us her sophomore year in high school. Jennifer is now a sophomore at UCLA majoring
in Political Science. She ran 3
marathons while in high school and continues to run.
“I
first joined the J-Town running club because I wanted to challenge myself in a
non-competitive environment. Running club is all about running for your
personal benefit because your only competition is yourself and to strive to do
your best with the help of two amazing coaches. Previously in middle school I
ran track and cross-country, but I wanted to grow as a runner and this club
gave me the opportunity to do so. Before joining this club I was only capable
of running 3 miles, but soon I was not only challenged physically but mentally
as well. I have ran in 4 marathons and will be going for number 5 this coming
March. Every year the training for the 26.2 miles that make up a marathon is no
easy task and it’s even harder having to train on my own now that I’m no longer
living in Long Beach. This club means everything to me; when I go back home for
breaks I always look forward to running with the club and love to cheer on the
new and old members as they take on the journey from the stadium to the
sea.” Jennifer is an incredible young lady and a joy
to be around. She is humble and kind and
leads by example.
The perks
of this job are the truly amazing young people we get to know and grow
with. Another phenomenal young man is
Armando. Armando joined Running Club his senior year and still routinely runs with us.
My
name is Armando; I graduated from Jordan High School, June 2013. Currently I
attend Cal State Long Beach, second year, pursuing a Bachelors degree in
Engineering Technology potentially in the field of computers or electronics.
I joined the running club at Jordan
during my senior year. The main reason for such decision was to challenge
myself and do something unique: finish the Los Angeles Marathon. The thought of
it seemed thrilling yet possible. It took about 5 months of training, during
which I learned a lot about myself. I consider it one of the most eye opening
experiences I have had. Crossing the finish after a 26.2 mile journey is
something truly unique because it brings within a heavy sense of accomplishment
and at the same time a thirst for more.
This spring I will be running my 3rd L.A
marathon hoping to get a personal record. Running has taught me quite a few
lessons, such as: being capable of doing more than we think we can, success
comes after hard work and dedication, if we want to achieve something we need
to give it our all and eventually we will. These are some of the lessons I
treasure the most, along with the feeling you experience when crossing the
finish line, is something unique that I seek to experience every time I run a
marathon.
After high school a lot of things change, but one that has not is my
appreciation for J-town's Running Club and the family I became part of. I have
continued to train on my own and run several Half Marathons as well as the Long
Beach Marathon for the past 2 years fund raising money for a Youth Leadership
program with a non-profit organization, Leadership Long Beach. As alumni,
I have continued to run with J-town.
J-town's Running Club has definitely had a strong impact in my personal and
academic perspectives; I have a deep appreciation of the club and the people in
it. We all have become a family that cares for each other and work hard to get
everyone to experience what is like to run a marathon.
Your assistance is deeply appreciated.
Warmest regards,
Armando J Cruz
Armando and Jennifer out on the LA river training with J-Town Running Club
(Dec 2014)
Time and time again,
current students alumni, refer to Running Club as a family. Students come from all walks of life and as
we train together and support one another to accomplish a common goal,
differences wash away and we cannot help but bond as a family.
This year
we have 9 young ladies, that's right, all girls! who have survived the training
season. The WORST part of a marathon is
the training. It is a long season and
takes a dedicated and determined person to stick around. This weekend we will run the 18-Mile
Friendship Run, the farthest we have trained so far. This will be a great test and preparation for
the Marathon. Five alumni will also be
joining us for the race in preparation for the Marathon.
We are in
need of donations to get the students registered for the race. The cost of registration is $200 per
student. We also need to rent vans for
upcoming races, racing gear as well as nutrition for training runs and
races. A few of the students are in
desperate need of shoes. Donations of new
or gently used running shoes are always appreciated.
Donations
can be sent to
Jordan High
School – J-Town Running Club (Gomes)
6500
Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach,
CA 90805
My dear
friend Mr. John Bruna has set up a donation page on his Way of Compassion website. Below is the link to the page. Please check
out Way of Compassion, a wonderful foundation.
All
donations are tax deductible and receipts will be mailed.
The J-Town
Running Club would not exist without the support of countless individuals, family
and friends who generously donate each year to provide an opportunity for kids
they will likely never meet. Thank each
and every one of you for your support.
Run on…or
if your John Bingham, and me…waddle on. J
