Senior Stories: Ever, Connection through Hardship
Ever is an SRLA student who has just graduated from Roosevelt High School. Ever earned the SRLA Scholarship this year, which he will utilize for his upcoming studies at Harvey Mudd College as an Engineering major.
At first, I really did believe joining SRLA would be this small, no-big-deal activity I do on the side of everything else. After all, it is just running, how hard could it be? Oh how wrong I would be, and for the better I was. Being a part of SRLA has made me more confident in both my physical and mental abilities, opened me up to being friends with people of all ages, and instilled good habits into me that I will use beyond my time here.
Ever enjoying a nice day at SRLA practice.
Before SRLA, just running a mile was something that would make me groan. That first 5k with Homeboy absolutely wiped me out, I thought it was the worst thing ever. It only progressively get harder with more K’s being added: 10k, 15k, 20k, 30k up until the marathon. After a while, it became more about my mentality to finish rather than my legs to keep running, as the urge to stop grew and the finish line seemed so far away. Something strange that would always happen after I finished a race though. Finishing the 5k made any 5k after it a breeze, finishing the 15k made any 15k not so bad, the same thing was felt after every longest run I had run up to that point. Having the fact I could actually do this, put my body and mind through this and finish, really gave me a confidence boost in what I could do. The Friendship Run is where I really felt this. From the many 10-mile practices to the eventual 18-mile run, it made the idea of this daunting, cramp-inducing run become something doable and even a bit enjoyable.
My SRLA team was made up of all grades and of younger and older teachers. SRLA in general is made up of all people, old and young. Through the many runs I have been a part of, I made close connections with my underclassmen that I normally would avoid because of our age difference. Even during official races, I would befriend strangers who I would strike up a conversation with, talking about our runs, our schools, how we really wished to be home. There would be many times I would run with one of my coaches, and it was a unique opportunity to get know them and their journeys here. I am very grateful to have gotten these opportunities to get to know people I normally would never approach, and it has made me more open to people outside my zone.
SRLA forced me to build a routine and stick with it because otherwise I would pay dearly for it. It meant running consistently no matter how I felt, taking care of myself but eating well and hydrating very well, sleeping at a reasonable time as to have enough energy to run, etc. Even if my motivation in one week disappeared, my newly built habits would keep me consistent to reaching any goal I set for myself. They have also helped me in things outside of running. I got into the habit of packing everything I would need the day before a race, something I now do for school or any trips. Or how I now stretch a bit every night to help relieve some of the day’s tension. The habits I picked up here are things that will benefit me anywhere I go, from college to my personal life to even my career.
Ever and a fellow SRLA teammate proudly showcasing their 2023 LA Marathon medals at their graduation.
Ever when asked “What is a moment or lesson from SRLA that will stick with you?”
It was like a struggle most of the time, but there's so many good memories I had with my team and my coaches.The weekend practices we did, like in our own free time from like Dockweiler Beach or just around East LA. These were like, I guess my first experience was like long distance running because these were like 15 miles, 20 miles and we were basically like thrown into it because that's the only way you can get used to it. And just like running alongside my friends and like all like relating over this like awful experience of running 15 miles nonstop online. You just realize like to reach for goals like you got to go to the big picture, you got to go through like this, I guess struggle. And you know, it's really nice to share it with other people. But I think that's the best part. Knowing that you weren't alone, knowing that you're all working towards the same thing and supporting each other, it makes bad things fun, I'd say.
“Being a part of SRLA has made me more confident in both my physical and mental abilities, opened me up to being friends with people of all ages, and instilled good habits into me that I will use beyond my time here.”