Personal growth is a development of new skills, behaviors, actions, attitudes, habits and reactions to benefit certain aspects of your life. For example, running a marathon. That is an action that students at North Hollywood High School have taken, and that is an action that has certainly benefited aspects of my life. 

The marathon is more of a mental game as opposed to it being physically difficult. This race would have to be 70% mental and 30% physical. If you stay open minded, then you’ll be able to finish the race. I ran the LA Marathon course three times, and for me it was pretty rigorous after the 20th mile. However, I thought about all the miles that I have already completed. I have gotten so far, therefore I should complete those last 6.2 miles. 

Through the marathon I have learned to break mental barriers. Through the marathon I have learned to step out of my comfort zone. Through the marathon I have learned to never label myself, and never put myself in this box. I learned that I shouldn’t compare myself to others. Everyone has their own pace, and everyone’s journey is different. Despite this, we all still arrived at the same destination. This goes to show that I can do anything that I set my mind to. 

Learning to step out of your comfort zone is an important lesson in life. When it was my first marathon I was scared to run it. However, it was more of a mental battle. My body could physically keep going if my mind stayed positive. The whole time I was thinking of David Goggins. David Goggins said that “Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance and beautiful silence.” That is what the marathon has done for me. Finishing the marathon led to me being open-minded, it has led to me learning how to step out of my comfort zone, and it has led to me learning that no matter what I have to finish the race. 

On March 17, 2024 at 7:00 AM the Los Angeles Marathon was held. There is an organization all across Los Angeles called SRLA (Students Run Los Angeles) that hosts events in order to prepare students for the LA Marathon. 

  These athletes have prepared for the marathon since September, and they have run a series of events in order to build endurance/stamina in order to endure the 26.2 mile race called the marathon. 

The Los Angeles Marathon is a 42km (26.2 mile) course. These runners started at the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium and ended at Beverly Hills High School. 

To prepare for the marathon, they ran a 5k (3.1 mile) race, a 10k (6.2 mile) race, a 15k (9.3 mile) race, two half marathons (13.1 miles) and a 30k (18.6 mile) race.

“It’s a mental thing,” is what I told everyone who asked me about this year’s 2024 LA Marathon. 

It was my first ever marathon and I was nervous up until the spectator shouted “3… 2…1… go!” I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I would cross that finish line. 

Being that I just turned 18 in January and it is my senior year of high school, I wanted to dedicate myself to something bigger than myself and check off my very first item on my bucket list. 

I wanted to prove to myself that I could exceed my expectations of myself and let go of my self-doubts. This marathon would not only be an indicator of my physical abilities and my commitment to training, but an indicator of my growth in confidence. 

It’s true, though, that you do eventually hit “the wall.” I hit it right after mile 18 and desperately wanted to give up and just walk the last 8 miles.

However, I stayed with a pacer and never lost sight of them. There were numerous instances in which I nearly broke down, crying on the phone to my mom that I had two, three miles to go, in which she would tell me, “You got this, Sofiya. You’re almost there.” 

If it weren’t for her encouraging voice, as well as other family members who came to support, I don’t think I would have been able to successfully complete the course. 

With that said, I look forward to adding to my running journey. If I was able to run one marathon, I can confidently say I can do it again. 

Joel Vega thoroughly explains how, “My experience with SRLA has truly been amazing. It has given me many opportunities such as running different races for free and experiencing the adventures of a runner. It also helped me make many new friends that have stuck with me throughout everything. I also just wanna thank my coaches for always inspiring me and motivating me to keep going and for being one of the biggest reasons why I was able to complete all of my races.”

He adds, “The marathon was a great experience that I’m thankful I was able to do and plan to do in the years I have ahead. I believe the marathon did help me develop personal growth. It taught me that I can accomplish anything I want to do if I put my mind to it. And that practice, patience, and dedication will help you along the journey. It’s definitely a little difficult challenge, but no matter how hard it gets, keep going until the very end!”

Daniel Escalon expresses that, “SRLA has pushed me forward in my running abilities. The marathon was a fun challenge, and I would do it again. SRLA gave me the opportunity to go places I wouldn’t have gone and to meet people I wouldn’t have met. Overall, SRLA has had a positive impact on my life, and I get better with each run.”