Alumni Leader Story: Tess, An SRLA Adventure
Tess ran SRLA in middle school and high school, now she is a leader at Columbus Middle School. Her goal is to run ten marathons - which she is aiming to achieve on March 21st. This year she is helping students realize their marathon dreams, too, despite the pandemic.
Tess, after completing a marathon in 2010.
I ran my first marathon when I was in eighth grade. I was one of three students at my school. We trained after school running around a few blocks in our community, studying the history of the marathon through documentaries, learning about women joining the marathon, and what it took to accomplish this amazing goal. When I first started training, I had already participated in some sports like volleyball, basketball and track and field; but distance training was new, challenging, and exciting. I remember my coach teaching me about distance running form or tricks like when you run up a hill take smaller steps and pump your arms a little harder, going down-hill open your stride but don’t run too hard on your knees. My first marathon was a hot day, I did put on sunscreen but still got so sun burned on my shoulder that it charred leaving me with lots of new freckles! To this day it is a funny reminder of where I started my distance running adventure.
I was an SRLA student all the way through high school. I helped recruit my teammates along the way. We all brought different strengths to the team. Some were better leaders in stretching, some were leaders who had cross country knowledge helping us push ourselves in mini pods, and some were great leaders in confidence. We all had different roles being leaders for our group. We are always a family watching out for each other during our practice and event day runs. Being a student in SRLA gave me the opportunity to challenge myself not only in distance but mental strength, goal setting, and being open to pushing myself a little further than the last time. Hitting the wall, or having a mental block was the hardest part of running the marathon at a young age. I never knew what mile I might find this block or if I would be fine the whole way through. I found this wall at a different mile most of the years. Tools that helped were pacing with running and walking intervals, walking with a purpose, running with a buddy (or a few), and having the dedication to keep moving forward. Stopping was not really an option I had considered; I was eager to make it to the finish line.
“Being a student in SRLA gave me the opportunity to challenge myself not only in distance but mental strength, goal setting, and being open to pushing myself a little further than the last time.”
As an adult, I have enjoyed running. I have not had as many opportunities to do some of the sports that I enjoy, but running has always been there. SRLA set up the foundation for the skills I needed to be successful. I had the training, the mindset, and the commitment for creating goals. Even at the start of college I got to support my team as a spectator cheering on our students and being a driver for the ride home. Running is a great outlet for life. No matter what is going on, happy, sad, or anything in between, running is a great way to feel good. I liked to run to get a break from studying for my college courses. In between being a student in SRLA and a leader for SRLA, I volunteered with the high school and middle school groups that I had been a part of, helping the students with their love of running and exploring how to help them get to the finish line. Some learned how to pace themselves for longer distances, some students learned that when they were having trouble starting to run and do their intervals again that they could start small and count trees, cones, or light posts. We would count five to ten trees walking and five to ten trees jogging keeping the muscles active.
Tess has been completing virtual runs with her group during the 20 - 21 season.
As a coach in SRLA I like to think of myself as the starter pack leader. I get the students who are new or who have not run in a while and help them rediscover their pace. Our team before COVID ran in a few groups, with a leader/ captain keeping track of the timing intervals. Once they have their intervals down, we help them with tips that apply to their individual goals. We made it a team goal to have fun days with games and a short practice run. We focus on team building activities that help them connect with each other. We have two schools who practice together increasing their opportunities to be role models and support for each other. These activities also give the students an opportunity to learn how to make friends and make it easier for them to have a group where they belong. Some of our students are not in other sports and can feel like our group is a place they can accomplish their goals.
I find it easier to run when I am in charge of students, because it is easier to focus on helping them reach the finish line. I am inspired by their dedication and hard work. It makes me want to be a better runner so that I am able to keep up with them. During COVID it has been challenging not seeing the students in person, but is so incredibly inspiring to see how well our group is doing virtually. We hold each other accountable. We use an app called Band, where our group can share their running app photos of the miles they finished. At the beginning of the season, we sent out a goal for each week and suggestions on how we all would meet the mile goals. I run to be healthy, to be a role model, and to show others that even during a pandemic, we can still grow. As an adult running during a pandemic, it has been challenging to get outside to run, but at the end of the day it is so worth the feeling of success and accomplishment. Running during COVID has been a rollercoaster but when I haven’t run in a few days, I miss running so much that I will find a way to push myself to get even a quick three miles in. I still see some of my old teammates running on the street in their SRLA gear. It makes me want to run more. My own goal is to complete ten marathons. A dream I will accomplish on March 21, this year! Wish me luck!
YOU CAN keep students running for Life
Donate, volunteer, sponsor or run with our students to make a difference with SRLA.