I never thought I could actually run the Los Angeles Marathon. But on Sunday, that became a reality.
I joined my schoolmates from Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Learning Center and thousands of runners for a 26.2-mile run from Dodger’s Stadium to Santa Monica. It was amazing!
I got to see so much of Los Angeles that I have never seen before, for example, Barnsdall Park, The Troubadour and the Historical Route 66. I tried to stick with my friends at first, but eventually I kept my own pace and passed them.
I began training seven months ago, when I joined Students Run L.A.(SRLA) Through the program, I have completed a 5k, 10k, 15k, two half marathons and an 18-mile run. SRLA taught me how to make healthy choices, to always strive for my best, and most importantly, never give up.
I really wanted to challenge myself and say that at 13 years old I finished a marathon, and the Asics LA Marathon was the perfect time to do that.
This is something I will definitely do again. Crossing that finish line after four hours of running was one of the most amazing feelings of my life. I was so proud of myself because I had never pushed myself that much.
I finally know that I can do anything that I set my mind to no matter what or who tries to get in my way. You cannot wait for your goals to come straight to you, you have to get some running shoes on and chase them.
Sylvester Foley is a freshman at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Learning Center in Boyle Heights. He is a member of Students Run L.A and a Boyle Heights Beat youth reporter.
