Senior Stories: Ibely, Ready to Take on Any Challenge

Ibely’s older sister was in SRLA and her experiences influenced Ibely to join once she got in high school. Although she doubted her ability to run 26.2 miles, her leaders, teammates, friends and family supported her to “fight till the end.” Ibely just graduated with honors from John C. Fremont High School and will study Nursing at CSU Bakersfield in the fall.

Ibely and her team with their marathon medals and SRLA finisher sweaters!

Participating in SRLA has made an impact on my life through the new experiences and new people I met along the way and having the full support of my family and friends. SRLA has made me feel confident, strong and ready to take on any challenge. Being a part of SRLA has taught me that perseverance is the key to achieving your objectives. At the beginning, I doubted my ability to finish the 26.2 mile marathon, knowing the fatigue and the length of the marathon made me want to quit. However, because I had leaders to look up to and teammates that supported each other, it motivated me to fight till the end. I had my family and friends who no matter what made time and on the sideline cheered for me at every race. My family and friends got involved by creating posters and showing their support at every race. 

Ibely’s graduation from John C. Fremont.

I decided to participate and join SRLA because of the experiences of my older sister. She would talk about how she felt accomplished after finishing a race, getting to know new people along the way and learning new skills. Being on the sideline for my sister and getting to see and feel the joy and power that SRLA has on students made me join it once I went into high school.

The way that SRLA influenced me and had an effect on my character is that it helped me become more brave, hard-working and self-confident. Life is like a marathon, if you give up, you will not be able to accomplish your goals. My behavior changed, I developed an ambition to be more active, I became organized and disciplined. These traits or behaviors are something that influenced me to become better and successful. You go through a path with a goal in mind as on the sideline, I know I have people that care about me and are rooting for me. I can achieve anything as long as I set my mind to it. Perseverance, health, and overall the idea that you need to push yourself to achieve your goals is something I will forever keep in mind. Not only is SRLA a good sport and experience but also a lesson that you are the key to your goals. I joined SRLA for many different reasons. Before graduating I ran with SRLA and for the Cross Country team at my school. Being able to participate in these sports has made me feel free, alive, and encouraged me to attempt new things.

Rapid Fire!

Best part of every race…
Having a lot of people cheering you on along the way.

If you had to choose one race to run again, it would be…

The LA Marathon because I get to have all of my family together and just crossing the finish line and knowing that you finish 26.2 miles makes you believe that anything is possible. Knowing that I completed my last marathon as a senior made me feel emotional and sad but stronger at the same time, so thank you so much SRLA for giving me this experience.

Something you can’t run without…

My phone and earphones because I need music to listen to while running because it helps me run faster and pushes me to finish every race. I also can't run without my phone because my family would call me every mile to cheer me on and tell me not to give up when. Hearing their voices makes me believe in myself to finish every race.

A poster Ibely’s family made to support her!

Favorite place to train…

I love running in a lot of different places but Dockweiler Beach is my favorite place to train because the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind makes me feel at home.

Favorite pre run snack…

A green sour apple or even peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Someone/something that inspires me to run…

Knowing that my family is rooting for me, encouraging me along the way, and always being there for me motivates me to run because this is something I could never see myself doing.

YOU CAN SUPPORT STUDENTS TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE TO RUN A MARATHON!

Learn more about our programs to get involved. Donate, volunteer, or sponsor our students to make a difference with SRLA.