Volunteers in it for long haul with kids
MEMORIAL PARK — When he signed up to run the Los Angeles Marathon three years ago, 17-year-old James Cuellar thought training for the grueling 26.2-mile trek would be a great way to stay out of trouble. Turns out, he was right.
But keeping a clean record wasn’t the only benefit. Cuellar, who will run his third marathon tomorrow, has noticed his health improve, along with his attitude and self-confidence.
“I just love the feeling I get after running,” he said. “It’s that feeling you get when you know that you’ve accomplished something that maybe you never thought you could do before. It makes you feel great to know that I can change my health for the better, and maybe be a role model for others who want to get away from junk food.”
No longer afraid of developing diabetes like other members of his family, Cuellar said he owes his health and a new outlook on life to the local branch of the Police Activities League, or PAL, and its dedicated staff and volunteers.
“They never let you down,” he said of PAL, a non-profit, law enforcement-affiliated service provider for youth. “They’ll encourage you all the way through, supporting you and making sure you never give up.”
One of those mentors is Karen Humphrey, a program supervisor at PAL who will be running her 10th marathon on Sunday. Humphrey and other volunteers agree to train along with 54 PAL kids, ages 12 to 18, at least two times a week for roughly nine months. Thirty-two kids will be running the marathon, while 22 more will ride bikes.
“I think we’re all feeling the aches and pains right now,” Humphrey said. “But I’m looking forward to it. It’s like having another baby. Why put yourself through all that when you know what the pain is like? I do it for the kids. That’s my motivation.”
Training starts in the fall, with a series of short runs from Memorial Park to the pier and back. As the kids adjust, the runs grow longer, until by the end of training the kids run at least 20 miles or more, Humphrey said.
The training follows a formula set by Students Run LA, a non-profit which challenges at-risk youth to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by training for and completing the city marathon.
“Students Run LA is a great organization,” Humphrey said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
Training can be tough, as some have never run for distances before, but after a while it becomes easy, even fun, said Sharice McDonald, 16.
“I’m really excited about Sunday,” she said. “I can’t wait to get out there and see all the people cheering. It’s going to be a great time.”
McDonald said she’s a little nervous, having never competed in a marathon before, but she is confident the training she has received, plus a little adrenaline, will carry her through.
As will her new running shoes from Saucony, which donates two pairs of shoes to each PAL participant, one for training and another pair for the marathon. Each PAL member will also wear a specially designed uniform — blue trunks with a white tank top made by Coolmax.
They will also be loaded up on carbohydrates, thanks to more than $3,200 worth of pasta provided by the Sheraton Delfina Hotel during PAL’s annual carbo-load dinner, held last Thursday.
“It’s really a blessing — the uniforms, the shoes, everything,” Cuellar said. “The shorts are a little small, but it’s only for one day. I guess it won’t hurt to wear them for one day.”
There will be an extra incentive for those running this year. To help the family of slain Santa Monica High School Student Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez, City Manager Lamont Ewell, Santa Monica Police Lt. Frank Fabrega and Maria Crocker — sister of SMPD Officer Ricardo Crocker, who was killed in Iraq in 2005 — have offered to donate to the family $100 for the first person from PAL to finish the marathon within 4 hours and 1 minute, and $50 for both the first boy and girl.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 18, 2006. Read the original PDF.