Student Perspectives: Looking Forward to the Marathon Journey

Over the weekend, SRLA leaders picked up t-shirts, calendars, posters, and other running gear to share with their students in preparation for their marathon training journey. Throughout this week, over 3,000 students across Los Angeles will receive their official green SRLA training t-shirt and become part of a team that spans over 190 schools from Orange County to the Valley, from the Port of Los Angeles to East LA.

We checked in with SRLA students earlier this week to see how they were feeling about the upcoming season. They are excited to make new friends and strengthen existing bonds, they are excited to run in new parts of the city, and to push themselves beyond what they thought was possible.

Here is what SRLA Students are most excited for this season…

“I am excited for my last SRLA season in high school as I'm graduating next year. I always look forward to the cheerful atmosphere the events bring to everyone and also seeing people my age with the same ambitions as me.” - Kimberly, 12th Grade, Alliance Burton Tech High

“I’m excited for the new places we are going to run.” Shania, 9th Grade, Roosevelt High School

“I am most excited about the progress that I can make if I stick around ‘til the very end.” - Jancarlos, 12th Grade, Alliance Gertz Merkin

“I am most excited for new t-shirts I can use to sleep!” - Brayan, 12th Grade, Animo Jacki Robinson

“Something I most excited about is being able to run again and meet new people who are also part of SRLA.” - Garson, Grade 12, Camino Nuevo High School

“To become the best version of myself and to start improving myself and my endurance little by little until I finally finish the race.” - Delaney, 9th Grade, Port of LA High School

“I’m definitely most excited is making new friends who challenge me and push me to overcoming my limitations!” - Mark, 11th Grade, Lincoln High School

“What I am most excited about this season of SRLA is honestly having a fun time not seeing run as a punishment but as a hobby.” - Hector, 8th Grade, Animo Jefferson Middle

“As my first year for SRLA I am most looking forward to changing myself, trying new things, and also spending time with friends.” Layla, 8th Grade, Nightingale Middle School

“The community, I love SRLA. I get to meet so much new people and talk to them as we all run towards the finish line. I love the support from the community as you run throughout the course. It makes me feel so thankful for being able to participate every year in such an amazing organization.” - Jeremy, 11th Grade, Dorsey High School

“I am excited to wake up super early and get on the bus, it's super cool to see the sun come out as I run and the jitters before a race is super exciting. I am excited to start running and drink electrolyte along the way. Most importantly I am excited to run with my friends.” - Jayleen, 8th Grade, Stevenson Middle School

We also asked students to share one thing they are nervous about as they start the new season. There was a wide variety of worries that comes with embarking on marathon training: injury, pacing, keeping up with their friends on race day. Students were also worried about the weather and about keeping up with their school work as they dedicated hours a week to training.

Here is what students are nervous about as they start the season…

“Seeing if I can commit.” - Antonio, Grade 12, Kennedy High School

“This is my first time doing SRLA, but I have high hopes that I can definitely do this because I believe on myself and so should everyone else.” - Jacquelyn, Grade 12, LAPD Olympic Cadets

“Something I am nervous about as the season begins, is if I will be able to push through since it’s my first marathon.” - Joanna, Grade 11, Fairfax High School

“My time management and how hot or cold some practices are going to get.” - Adolfo, Grade 12, Marshall High School

“I'm not nervous about anything. I'm just pumped up for this new season! But in terms of being worried, I wouldn't like the weather changing and potentially harming our pace during any of the races.” - Emmanuel, Grade 12, Port of LA High School
”Running more than a mile since it’ll be new to me.” - Genesis, Grade 12, Roosevelt High School

“The thing I’m most nervous about is the actual marathon run! The 26 miles seems extremely grueling but as my SRLA groups works up towards it, I believe I will become more confident about the run!” - Mark, Grade 11, Lincoln High School

“Being able to keep up with my workload & still manage SRLA as well.” - Samanta, Grade 9, Port of LA High School

“Something I am nervous for is the very first race because it will be my first race ever in SRLA but it’s also a very exciting event.”- Samantha, Grade 10, Santee High School

When asked about their goals for this season, some students mentioned PRs and improving their paces, other wanted to make friends and earn medals. All students had some achievement that they wanted to accomplish this season.

Here are students goals for the new season…

“My goal would be to finish my first marathon ever.” - Brian, Grade 8, Vista Middle School

“Keep my body as healthy as possible and practicing routines such as eating well sleeping and stretching to keep my body healthy.” - Abigail, Grade 12, Foshay Learning Center

“One of my goals this season is to run under a 5-hour marathon. One of my goals this season is to also meet new people each race and finish with a friend.” - Margareth, Grade 12, Marshall High School

“A goal I have is to build on my leadership skills. I want to reflect a good reputation towards my team. I plan to be supportive and encouraging so we can all succeed in the end, no matter how long it takes. Not only do I plan to influence everyone to surpass their physical expectations, but also to accomplish their mental/emotional goals such as developing a growth mindset. Because, as my head coach says, it doesn't matter how long you take; what matters is that you succeed every challenge you experience without giving up, whether that revolves around your running goals or your personal life.” - Fatima, Grade 12, Gage Middle School

“One of my goals for this SRLA Season is to really live in the moment and be more aware as to what is happening. I feel like last year I was just moving through the motions and not really living in the moment when it came to race days and practices after school now I reminisce about last years team because of how much I miss those days. So this year I want to really live in the moment and take as many pictures as I can.” - Natalie, Grade 12, Carson High School

“I want to keep my pace consistent, and learn some new Rihanna lyrics to sing along to while running.” - Pablo, Grade 11, Roosevelt High School

“One of my goals is to get lots of sleep. Running is already super fun and I think it would be more fun with a good nights sleep beforehand. I plan to sleep at minimum 8 hours each day which should give me ample time to crush the upcoming runs.” - Bryan, Grade 12, Synergy Quantum Angelou

“Gain endurance, confidence, and to be open to new things.” - Fernanda, Grade 9, Girls Academic Leadership Academy

“My goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by making running something I can look forward to, and be used as a stress reliever.” - Yesenia, Grade 12, Hollywood High School

“Finishing the marathon with a smile.” - Kevin, Grade 9, King Drew Magnet

“One of my goals for this SRLA season is to keep a consistent pace at each practice or race, which means not allowing myself to give up when the run seems difficult.” - Alyssa, Grade 10, El Sereno

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