Amanda: Running Leads to Special Bonds

SRLA has taught me the true meaning of commitment, dedication and accomplishment. SRLA has also made me more confident and has shaped me into who I am now. It has also taught me that you can achieve anything you set your mind to as long as you dedicate yourself and stay committed.

Through SRLA I have made friends that mean a lot to me and who I will be friends with for a lifetime. For example, last year during SRLA I met Emma and we instantly created a special bond. I am a part of SRLA because of bonds like this, and I hope to create and continue building more friendships that will last a lifetime.

SRLA promotes a healthy lifestyle and teaches time management. Being so active has encouraged me to change my eating habits. Because SRLA led me to have a healthier lifestyle, I can now do many more things because I am more organized with my time. I have learned to make my schedules more flexible in order to fit the long runs that are required. I have also learned not to procrastinate because I won’t have enough time in the day to get all my chores and school work done as well as physical training. I continue to be a part of SRLA because it keeps me in shape and helps me be more productive.

SRLA has also built a special bond between my mom and I as we now share running experiences together. My mom started running when she was in sixth grade and thirty years later she still runs. She has paced me for numerous races including the Friendship Run. My mom is a big influence in my life, and being able to complete a marathon with her means a lot to me. This is another reason why I am a part of SRLA, to continue to share these experiences with her and make many more memories with her that will last forever.

Lastly, I want to be able to inspire people in a positive way, just like my mom inspires me.  As a SRLA runner, I can inspire people by running a marathon at a young age. I want to inspire people in a positive way because I feel that if you are inspired by somebody it helps motivate them to achieve their goal.

To share your SRLA story, email Naomi at naomi@srla.org.