For sophomore Abel, running isn\u2019t just about crossing the finish line\u2014it\u2019s about family, perseverance, and personal growth. As a student at Blair High School and a dedicated member of Students Run LA (SRLA), Abel recently completed his second marathon, this time alongside his mother, Lupe. But his journey started long before he laced up his own running shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abel comes from an SRLA family. When his mother was a teenager, she was \u201croped in\u201d to joining SRLA and running the LA Marathon by her older brothers, who were passionate about endurance sports. That tradition has continued with Abel, who joined SRLA at the encouragement of a childhood friend and his mother. After finishing his first marathon last year, he decided that this time, he and Lupe would run it together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Lupe, running has been more than just a challenge\u2014it\u2019s been a way to lead by example for her son. \u201cI just kept pushing myself because I wanted to accomplish something with him,\u201d she said. Training wasn\u2019t easy, especially while balancing work, motherhood, and postpartum recovery, but she refused to quit. \u201cI can\u2019t show that to my kids. I want to be an example.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her resilience paid off. Not only did she complete the marathon, but she also ran 13 miles alongside Abel\u2014a powerful moment of connection. \u201cUp to 20 miles, my legs were cramping up, and I\u2019m like, you know, I only have a few more miles to go. I gotta push myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just weeks before the marathon, Abel and his family faced an unimaginable challenge when they lost their home in the Eaton Fire. The fire destroyed nearly everything\u2014including his hard-earned LA Marathon finisher\u2019s medal and his running shoes. In the face of such devastation, many would have been tempted to step away, to take a break from training. But for Abel, running became a way to keep moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI lost a house, and not really the way I wanted to,\u201d Abel shared. \u201cEverything that I\u2019ve accomplished, every single medal I have, every single collection\u2014everything I had is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, through it all, he remained committed to his training. With the support of his school, SRLA, and his family, Abel kept running. He found solace in long runs, the company of his teammates, and the goal of finishing another marathon. And when he crossed the LA Marathon finish line in March, Abel wasn\u2019t just running for himself\u2014he was running for his family, for his city, and for resilience in the face of hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abel\u2019s passion for running wasn\u2019t always there. In fact, he once disliked it. \u201cIf you told me four years ago I would run a marathon, I wouldn\u2019t have believed you,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI hated running. I wouldn\u2019t run for anything. But it feels good to have pushed myself this far. Now, I love running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His love for the sport has grown, in part, because of the friendships he\u2019s made through SRLA. \u201cIt\u2019s a good excuse to hang out with my friends,\u201d he said. \u201cI like waking up early on Saturdays, running early, and feeling the breeze. I love long runs\u2014my body goes on autopilot, and I hear nature around me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balancing rigorous training with academics is no small feat, especially for a student as ambitious as Abel. He takes International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, participates in Upward Bound, and even takes college classes while still in high school. \u201cHe\u2019s academically very motivated,\u201d said his coach, Veronica. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see him have this outlet with how busy he is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Running has provided not only an academic balance for Abel but also a deeper sense of purpose. His personal experiences have inspired him to pursue cardiology. \u201cMy little brother was born with a heart defect,\u201d Abel explained. \u201cThat drives me. His aunt had it, and his dad had it too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coach Veronica has witnessed Abel\u2019s growth firsthand. \u201cLast year, he didn\u2019t talk much, maybe only with his friends. But this year, he flourished. After the fires, I heard his interview on the radio, and I knew he\u2019s resilient. He\u2019s become a voice for those who haven\u2019t been able to speak yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also emphasized his inspiring outlook: \u201cAbel\u2019s positivity is truly inspiring. Despite everything he has been through, he always shows up with a smile, lifting up those around him. His determination is a testament to the strength and heart of the SRLA community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abel\u2019s story is one of perseverance\u2014on and off the racecourse. Through SRLA, he not only built endurance for the marathon but also developed the resilience to overcome life\u2019s unexpected hurdles. Now, as he looks ahead to his next chapter, he carries with him the lessons learned from SRLA: discipline, determination, and the belief that he can keep going, no matter the obstacle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For sophomore Abel, running isn\u2019t just about crossing the finish line\u2014it\u2019s about family, perseverance, and personal growth. As a student at Blair High School and a dedicated member of Students Run LA (SRLA), Abel recently completed his second marathon, this time alongside his mother, Lupe. But his journey started long before he laced up his own running shoes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":464,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-posts"],"yoast_head":"\n