What is Students Run LA?
Students Run LA (SRLA) is a non-profit marathon-training club that allows students to be active, learn long-distance running, and even run the Los Angeles Marathon. What makes SRLA different from other running clubs is its accessibility to all students. There is no barrier to entry— meaning that you need no prior running experience or skill to join SRLA. All you need to do to qualify for races is put in your best effort and stay consistent in training. SRLA provides schools in Los Angeles with the resources to train for the LA Marathon and other races. Students Run LA allows students to run the LA Marathon, which is usually open only to those 18 or older or 16-17 with parent permission. Race entry fees are also a bit pricey, but through SRLA, they are free. SRLA has partnered with Nike, providing students with free shoes and other workout gear.
Why you should consider joining Students Run LA
You don't need to be good at running to join SRLA. I joined as literally the worst-at-running person I know. As long as you are consistent and follow the training schedule, you’re sure to make great improvements. SRLA is a great way to stay active, and as daunting as 'marathon training' can sound, once you get into the habit of running, it feels much more natural. The National Institute of Health states that running provides tons of mental and physical health benefits. Running can improve cardiovascular health, brain health, and bone health, as well as boost cognition. Additionally, running can enhance your mood as your brain releases endorphins while you run. You can gain many skills from marathon training, not just physical improvement. Long-distance training helps you learn patience, discipline, and goal-setting. You learn to overcome setbacks and to remain persistent.
My Experience
Before joining SRLA, I hated running. Even a few months into the program, I simply enjoyed seeing improvement in my running, not the running itself. But as we got into longer distances, my feelings toward running shifted. Eventually, I found myself enjoying the long weekend runs. Despite the pain of waking up early on a Saturday, I soon began to see the weekend runs as a mental refresh after a long week. Running forces you to fully immerse yourself in the task. And as someone constantly on their phone, having this time without a screen, just moving, gives me a needed mental refresh. With shorter-distance runs, the pace feels like it matters more, but when it comes to long-distance runs, the focus is truly on completing the run and building endurance, rather than maintaining a certain pace or reaching a record time.
I joined the club on a whim, saying that I would likely drop out after anything longer than two or three miles. Marathon training seems like an impossible goal, but you'd be surprised at the speed at which you improve. I definitely would not have made it as far as I did without the support of my peers and teachers. SRLA has a great, competition-free atmosphere. It truly does not matter whether you're the fastest runner or the slowest (me, haha); as long as you put in effort and time, you're guaranteed to have a rewarding experience. Marathon training focuses on incremental growth. Here is a breakdown of a typical week of training: We have a short run (2-4 miles) twice a week and one long weekend run, where the distance gradually increases. The weekend run began as a 2-mile run, which at the time intimidated me, but it is now a 17-mile run. There were several instances where I questioned if I should drop out of SRLA, anxious about future distances we would have to run. Despite my doubts, I've made it to the last few weeks of training, and though I'm far from the fastest runner, I have no regrets about joining the club. The SRLA leadership at our school is exceptional. Mr. Martin-Rowe, our SRLA Leader, organizes our schedule and races. Other leaders and coaches include Mr. Andrada (a parent and experienced runner), Mr. Wong, Ms. Marquez, Ms. Malec, and Ms. Clark. All the coaches are supportive and encouraging, building a pressure-free environment that naturally promotes improvement.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining SRLA?
"I would say do it a hundred percent. It's not only gonna help you physically but mentally. It's gonna push your boundaries. It's such a great program. It's such a great thing to train for something long-distance, and it's so rewarding at the end," says Ms. Malec, a science teacher at ERHS and a four-time LA Marathon finisher. Ms. Malec is one of the many inspiring and supportive SRLA leaders.
So, if you're looking for something exciting and new, consider giving SRLA a chance next year. You never know what challenges life may bring, and you might find yourself achieving things you never thought possible. Plus, there are free snacks.
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