Students Run Oakland: News

Join Us on July 21 for Fleet Feet’s Annual Sunset Fun Run

2011-06-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

One of our most loyal and consistent sponsors, Fleet Feet Sports in San Francisco, hosts its sixth annual Sunset Run to benefit Students Run Oakland on Thursday, July 21.

This is a fun, community-oriented run for Fleet Feet’s customers and SRO supporters. Proceeds from race registrations go 100% to help our kids. Fleet Feet has hosted this event on our behalf since 2006.

It’s a level, five-mile course along the San Francisco Bay, perfect for runners of all fitness levels. This is a super casual event – there is no timing, we don’t block roads, or use bib numbers. The run starts at 6:30 in the evening, so you get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands as the sun settles into the Pacific. Each runner will get a technical t-shirt and there’s also a DJ, drinks, bagels, and lots of great raffle prizes. Pre-register for the Sunset Run for just $10! (Race day registration is $20.) For more details and to register, please visit the Fleet Feet website.

I’d like to give my personal thanks to Brett and Kim, the owners of Fleet Feet Sports, for their commitment to Students Run Oakland and for the many ways they help us help our kids.

I hope to see you there. Last year we had more than 300 folks participate, and we hope to top that number this year. Please mark your calendar and join us in the fun on Thursday, July 21.

In community,

Spencer

The First Step in Helping Our Kids: Volunteer Orientation

2011-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that we have engaged Denise Jeffrey as our new Volunteer Coordinator. She brings to SRO her vast experience working with Oakland youth as a principal and teacher in the OUSD for over 30 years. She’s also a veteran marathoner!

One of the keys to realizing our three-year strategic plan is increasing the effectiveness and retention of a core group of diverse and committed volunteers. Getting our programs up and running this coming fall means getting our devoted volunteer “brigade” in place in the coming few weeks, and that’s Denise’s first challenge!

We have lots of opportunities available – from academic tutors to yoga instructors – long-distance running is not required in many positions! What is required is a passion for transforming the lives of the youth we serve. (Our online Volunteer Flyer details more of the opportunities available.)

We’re looking for role models who can establish rapport with high school students of diverse backgrounds while helping them develop focus and confidence. Through our proven and structured programs of physical fitness, academic support, nutritional advice, and mentoring, our volunteers discover the immense rewards and satisfaction of seeing underacheiving kids set a new course toward fulfilling their potentials and ambitions.

Please join us in continuing our decade-long success at Students Run Oakland. We’re aiming for the 2012 Los Angeles Marathon this coming March, and we need you to help us get there.

Your first step is attending SRO’s volunteer orientation meeting on Saturday, June 4 at the Alameda County Public Health Department, 1000 Broadway, Suite 500. Our presentation runs about 90 minutes, starting at 10 a.m. You’ll meet other committed volunteers, learn more about the work we do, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Also, be sure to fill out the SRO Volunteer Application before coming to the meeting so we have your basic information on file (it’s posted on the Volunteer page at www.sroakland.org). Please RSVP or forward any questions to srovolunteer@comcast.net.

Thank you for helping us in “Training for Life, One Step at a Time.”

In community,

Spencer Hooper, Executive Director

2010-11 Season Update

2010-09-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know from our newsletter or other blogs, in parallel with finishing another successful marathon last season, we also completed our three year strategic plan.

We have decided to not conduct a marathon training season with students for the 2010-11 season but instead allocate our recourses toward implementing year one of the strategic plan to ensure a successful execution.

Our primary focus will be to strengthen our programs to enable us to make new strides in the area of staff recruitment, volunteer development, student services, and enhancements to our fund raising capabilities.

Our efforts this season will be on setting the foundation for three strategic pillars:

Students – Significantly Improve Our Impact on Students’ Lives

To be a compelling after school program for students that provides them a safe environment and the tools to improve their health and wellness, academic performance, and build their self-esteem by demonstrating to them their capabilities through physical activities and targeted academics.

Volunteers – Improve Volunteer Effectiveness

To recruit and retain a core group of diverse volunteers who share a common understanding of, and commitment to, the goals and objectives of SRO.

Sustainability – Become a Strong and Vibrant Organization for the Long Term

To become a strong and vibrant organization that can withstand changes in leadership, economic, political, and other environmental factors. This third pillar has become increasingly important as we are in such volatile economic times. SRO, like most businesses and especially those in the non profit sector has been impacted by the economic downturn over the last couple of years.

We will miss the opportunity to work with and be inspired by the young people we get the privilege to serve. However, I am enthusiastic about what we will accomplish next year as we have a very detailed and comprehensive plan and a passionate team committed to the work. With a concentrated focus on capacity and infrastructure building and not diluting this effort by concurrently managing a full program we will be able to make tremendous strides to broaden and strengthen our programs and build a solid development capability.

I have come to know and sincerely appreciate the commitment, genuine investment our extended SRO family -- community collaborators, supporters and donors have in SRO’s success. I will also be outreaching over the upcoming months and weeks to ask for your continued support.

We will continue to keep you apprised of the work that is underway to take SRO to the next level solidly positioning us for an exciting and vibrant future. If you are interested in reading SRO’s three-year Strategic Plan, it will be posted here shortly.

I am confident that we will come out of the upcoming year stronger than ever and poised to deliver to more young people -- Training for Life One Step at a Time.

In Community,

Spencer

Executive Director

Completion of the 25th Los Angeles Marathon

2010-03-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Students, Staff, and Volunteers, Congratulations on another great marathon!

Our trip to Los Angeles was a big success. This season we had one of our largest groups of students and volunteers make the trip.

The carbo load dinner on Saturday evening was spent on a rooftop patio sharing prior marathon stories, laughing with one another and final prepping for the big day ahead.

Sunday – the day began early - 4:30 to be exact. We had breakfast, followed by several group photos and then walked to the shuttle for a 5:30 ride to Dodgers Stadium, start for the new marathon course. The start as always was super charged and exciting with this year being even bigger due to the marathon’s 25^th anniversary and a scenic new course.

The first mile of the run was uphill, which was the real wake up. We left Dodgers Stadium, ran through downtown and several distinct and diverse communities such as Thai and Japan towns, to Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Fortunately the weather was much cooler than forecasted as our students made their way to the finish to get their medals in Santa Monica.

With 96% of our students completing the marathon, everyone was feeling good for our tour of Olvera Street, Hollywood, and Venice Beach the next day.

Students Run Oakland Friends, Family, and Community, Thank you so much for your support throughout the season. Once again, we couldn't have done it without you!

STUDENTS RUN OAKLAND NEWSLETTER

2010-03-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

L.A. MARATHON CLOSE AT HAND

Message from the Executive Director

Over the last several weeks, I have had some very robust conversations about what compassion looks like. Recently our strategic planning team was discussing values statements intended to capture the essence of what SRO means and how we want to evolve SRO's mission. We talked about high standards and expectations, encouraging young people to excel through commitment, hard work and personal accountability.

A spirited debate ensued as some members of the team felt that these statements seemed hard and didn't embody the value of being compassionate which they felt should be core to SRO.

More recently we had to communicate to a few of our students that they would not be traveling to Los Angeles for the marathon, as they did not fulfill their commitment. This is challenging every year as volunteers, staff and I grow attached to students and while we encourage them to remain in the program, it is a disappointment when a student doesn't qualify for the Los Angeles trip. Again this year, there was a feeling by some that we could be more compassionate with a few suggesting that we empathize more with the students and consider altering the requirements or making exceptions for that particular young person that they were lobbying for.

While compassion means to feel with and to put ourselves in someone else's shoes, I've realized that what is truly complicated is the next step - determining how to act on it.

My compass for how best to help the young folks we serve is to empathize with them and the challenging life circumstances that many of them face at such impressionable ages. But to still hold them accountable since this is what life will demand if they are to become self-sustaining, contributing members of society. We can best prepare them with knowledge, support and tools to achieve their goals.

One way this is accomplished is that each student in SRO has to fulfill a community service requirement as part of his or her contract. We do this to instill the value of giving back and being involved in one's community. We want them to be compassionate and to value their ability to make a difference by helping others. In this edition, I invite you to read about our young people giving their time and service recently to the San Francisco Food Bank and chaperoning children with disabilities at their dance.

As an organization, I believe that we will always grapple with this complicated motivation to sympathize or empathize, the desire and passion to help. The challenge is but how best and what form that help should take. Sometimes it will simply be about lending a hand to someone in need. But more often than not, it will be about addressing inequities and giving our young people the tools for them to change their destiny.

"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward." - Henry Ford

Spencer Hooper

WITHOUT LIMITS

There is winning and there is losing in sport, but the truly resolute know that running one's first marathon is a beast unto itself; an immeasurable success. On the eve of the impending event we can look back over the last few months and recognize the values that the students, volunteers, and SRO have all brought to support each other and reach goals many once thought might have been unattainable. To say it has been challenging would be an understatement. Few things worth boasting about, however, come without considerable effort, sacrifice, and in this case, pain.

"I thought shopping was exercise until SRO," senior Estella Taylor deadpanned as she completed her last 10-mile run before the potluck celebration. Sure it was a funny statement that had many volunteers chuckling along, but for students who never imagined submitting to the physical and mental rigors of marathon training, completing such a journey is no laughing matter. Applause is a more apt gesture to accompany a statement such as Estella's. Overall, the complicated emotions of being excited at how next weekend will unfold and the terror of what those 26.2 miles will do to the body have been competing for dominance as the students taper down.

For some, taking the run one step at a time is an exercise in training the mind to see beyond self-imposed limitations. Achievement begins on an individual level by making the commitment to see the season through to the best of their ability. The transformative effects on all involved in this season's efforts continue to pay off week after week. SRO does not make every student love running. On the contrary, students like senior Jordan Hadden mention how running is not even on her list of favored activities even though she's looking forward to being able to run through the streets of Los Angeles and "not having to loop," in reference to the circular training routes students run on the weekends. When asked why she stuck with the program in defiance of her asthma and frequent physical discomfort she remarks, "I already started, I can't just quit." Such firmness of purpose will serve Jordan well as she embarks on her collegiate career. She has already been accepted into CSU and Shaw University but is still eagerly anticipating an acceptance to Howard University in Washington D.C.

Students have been challenged to push beyond limitations, give back to their communities, and improve their grades,. It has been a rocky year for many. Those of us who remember adolescence can relate to the myriad changes and challenges that teenage years bring. But with the additional support of volunteers, friends, and family, SRO participants have shown strength of character, consistency of purpose, and the requisite discipline necessary for success in life. We have no doubt each one will head into the summer aiming their ambition a little bit higher.

GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS On February 6, students and SRO volunteers gathered at the San Francisco Food Bank. Tasked with packaging over 3,300 pounds of rice to be distributed to families throughout the city, students showed their enthusiasm, work ethic, and empathy to help a struggling community. Jackie Villalobos smiled, "It was fun. I would have liked to give the food directly to the families but it was still fun. Cold, but fun."

Volunteers Steve Roberts and Katie Wojnoonski both remarked what a treat it was to work side by side with students as they formed an assembly line to position the 50-pound bags, weigh out each pound, seal, sticker, and box up food to go out for families. Students' thoroughness and concentration during the day's activities were immediately impressive. "It was great seeing them pitch in to make a difference. I could see they really got it." said volunteer Steve Roberts.
Since a 1-pound bag of rice feeds a family of 3 for a single meal, admiration for students who eschewed a Saturday off to give their time and energy for those less fortunate is well deserved. An additional cadre of students spent February 19 chaperoning children with disabilities and special health care needs at their annual Valentine's Day Dance in Berkeley. During both events, students made SRO staff and volunteers proud as they exemplified the qualities of true champions.

As we head to LA this weekend, we'd like to thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Alison Cross, SRO newsletter editor

In This Issue

WITHOUT LIMITS

GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS

FOR RACE DAY:

* stretch

* stay hydrated

* adjust pace

* keep eating

* listen to your body

Quick Links

More About Us

Become More Involved

WE ARE LA MARATHON BOUND

2010-03-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

We're entering the final week of preparation for our big day!

Physically, we're spending the remaining time tapering.

Mentally, we're getting ready for race day. Students and Volunteers, here are some tips for your preparation:

Familiarize yourself with the course map. Think about what supplies you will bring and how you will carry them. There will be water each mile and POWERade Sports Drink Stations are located at every odd number mile beginning at mile 3 but you should plan on carrying your favorite snacks. Volunteers, SRO will provide additional food and first aid supplies for you to carry as well.

Make a plan for different kinds of weather. It is likely to be warmer than the conditions we are accustomed to, so pack a hat and sunscreen and think about how much more you may want to drink. Re-read our Heat-Related Training tips.

Relax and enjoy yourself! Be sure to get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the race. We'll see you the day before the race -- Sunday, March 20 -- 7 AM at the Oakland Airport.

MENTAL TOUGHNESS RUN - DONE!!!!

2010-02-28T23:07:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of our students and volunteers who made it this far and completed this season's last long run, a wet and challenging 20-miler. We are in the final stretch of marathon training now, otherwise known as “the taper.” In the final three weeks before the marathon, the body needs to recover from the stress of hard training in order to be in peak condition on race day. “Tapering” means not only reducing our training mileage, but also getting plenty of rest and eating smart. We will have more tapering tips to share in coming days.

20 MILE MENTAL TOUGHNESS RUN

2010-02-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Students and Volunteers, This is the weekend! Our last long run, 20 miles, will be this weekend in Golden Gate Park. There is currently a chance of rain, so bring your SRO jacket and/or hat to prepare for running in chilly weather. All students must complete the run in 5 hours or less. Volunteers should plan to run with the student(s) with whom you have been paired with. As always, in addition to running volunteers, we will have several volunteers on bikes as well as water stops every few miles. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Students, as you know, at the beginning of the season you signed a Student Contract in which you made several commitments to SRO as a community. These commitments included not only attending practices and Saturday training runs, but also goals for school attendance and grade point average. If you have not been consistently meeting these commitments, Student Liaison Aimee should be in touch with you to help you form a plan for improving and meeting your Student Contract.

Remember, as Coach Al like to say “IT’S MIND OVER MATTER, IF YOU DON’T MIND IT DOESN’T MATTER”

Good luck and enjoy your run!!

KAISER HALF MARATHON A SUCCESS

2010-02-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

Over 50 of our students successfully completed the Kaiser Half Marathon in San Francisco on Sunday. Based on our training schedule, everyone who ran this past weekend is on target to have a successful marathon in March. We still have a minor detail to accomplish - a 20 mile mental toughness run in three weeks. Volunteers you are doing a great job, keep having those conversations and encouraging the students.

RUNNERS HIGH THANK YOU

2010-01-26T05:11:00.000-08:00

The seats were full and thanks to volunteer Charles Mince the freshly popped popcorn was plentiful and a big hit!

It is too soon to tell if we made our fundraising target from last week’s screening of “Runners High”, but I wanted to send a note to SRO Staff, Volunteers and Supporters for making our first fundraising event this year a big success!

Your collective efforts to sell tickets and promote the event created great buzz and word of mouth. We had a packed auditorium; supporters came out even in the midst of the storms.

While there are too many individuals to acknowledge, I would like to specifically thank the fundraising committee:

 Charles Mance for the event logistics
 Howard Nathal for his efforts in securing raffle items
 Katharine Sullivan for acquiring the venue
 Jerry Wolfe, who I think actually moonlighted as a principal for OUSD, but must have really been a salesperson for his tremendous energy in ticket sales.

Special acknowledgement and thanks also goes to Samuel Merritt University for the use of their auditorium and equipment.

With our record number of students this late into the season and the downturn in the economy, we have a considerable monetary gap to solve this year. Last week’s screening was an important endeavor to help us get across the finish line again this year.

Spencer

Runner’s High is available for purchase at: http://runnershighfilm.com

SRO Newsletter: New Years 2010

2010-01-02T19:07:00.000-08:00

Message from the Executive Director

As we rapidly approach 2010, a new decade, I have thought about SRO's first ten years. As many of you know, SRO is celebrating our 10th anniversary. More than being reflective of our past, this anniversary has provided me much to contemplate in terms of the next decade and what SRO will bring to the communities we serve.

It is also fortuitous that, after a challenging journey, we are putting to paper our strategic plan right as we are entering 2010 and transitioning from our first decade to the next. The plan itself has been a bit of a metaphor for SRO. It started slowly, but once a clear vision was set and we were able to add the right people and resources, it took off.

SRO's vision for the upcoming years is shaped by numerous stakeholders: board of directors, staff, volunteers, community collaborators, donors, and students. The plan, which charts our course for the next three years, encompasses the impact of the changing world around us, such as the violence that is plaguing cities and schools that most impact our students. It also encompasses some remarkable facts we know to be true about young people, such as if someone believes in them, holds them accountable, and sets high standards, they will rise to the challenge.

SRO's mission this next decade will very much remain the same: working with young people from underserved communities to help them develop long-term goals, improve their health, overcome obstacles, and build resiliency skills and confidence to prepare them for life. However, what will continue to evolve is how we will execute to deliver on this mission, why we are targeting this specific population and why it matters. Now the art and challenge is how best to capture and articulate these core ideas into the vision, mission, and values and have them permeate through all that we do. For my New Year's resolution I will hold out these pillars, the heart of what SRO is all about, as my compass.

"A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to becoming something more." - Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Happy Holidays and here's to a great 2010!

- Spencer Hooper

Training for Life: Overall Health

As always, Students Run Oakland is this season incorporating not just training runs but also programming that improves the overall health of young people through physical fitness, mentoring, and nutrition education. This season, we have already provided:

After-school tutoring at the school sites
Individual pairing of students with volunteer mentors, through our Mentor Model program
Stretching Clinic, thanks to SRO volunteer Becky Austin, MD
Nutrition Clinic, thanks to Dr. Michele Mietus Synder
Running Clinic, thanks to SRO staff members Alita Sanchez and Alphonzo Jackson
Nutrition Clinic #2, thanks to Dr. Patty Siri-Tarino
Injury Prevention Clinic, thanks to Brad Kraetzer

Read more about our commitment to overall health on the Students Run Oakland website.


Students attending a clinic at Lake Chabot

But Students Run Oakland does not simply hold a commitment to the overall health of individual students enrolled in our program. We are also committed to supporting and improving the health of our community, and we are joining other school and community leaders in this effort. Read more about our response to community violence in our blog entry.

Runners High Screening and Fundraiser, January 21st

On Thursday, January 21, SRO staff, volunteers, and students will be hosting a screening of Runners High, a documentary by local filmmakers about Students Run Oakland, as a special event and fundraiser.

The film will be screen at 400 Hawthorne Ave (behind Samuel Merritt Hospital) in the Bechtel Room at 7pm, and will be followed by a Student & Volunteer Panel that will be open for audience questions.

To purchase tickets ($25/each) you can donate online and indicate your donation is for the movie night in the "designation" line. Tickets purchase online can be picked up the night of the event at Will Call.

If you are interested in selling tickets on behalf of SRO, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts. For additional questions, please contact Fundraising Coordinator Katharine Sullivan.

Tremendous Thanks

Special thanks to Fleet Feet San Francisco and Mizuno, providing shoe fittings and running apparel for our students. Special thanks also to Thomas Arts, a full service marketing communications firm, for providing pro bono marketing services. Check our sponsors page for a complete list of supporters.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

New Year's Message

2009-12-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

With the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 upon us, I find it the perfect time to reflect on what we have accomplished in the past year and what things we would like to accomplish in the New Year.

So if you are a participant or a volunteer in Students Run Oakland (SRO) these are some of the things that you have done in 2009:

• Felt the initial dread at running less than 1 lap around Lake Merritt and thinking that you would never be able to do it.
• 13 Weeks of ever-intensifying training
• Running in some beautiful locations throughout the Bay Area
• Completing your first double-digit run - 10 miles! Woohoo!
• 26 Cross-training sessions at the YMCA
• Running many more laps around Lake Merritt
• And realizing that you actually are going to be able to complete the LA Marathon

And then these are the things that we have to look forward to in the New Year:
• Only 13 more weeks of training
• Completing your first Half Marathon
• Completing your first 20 mile run
• Flying to LA and actually completing the LA Marathon.
• Realizing that you can do anything that you want as long as you make the decision to do it, and then doing the work needed to accomplish it.

With these ideas in mind we can look back at all of the work that we have done so far and be proud of our accomplishments. But more importantly we can realize that we can do so much more than that. The beginning of the New Year is an excellent take to re-commit yourself to SRO and what it stands for. We all need to commit ourselves to doing the work necessary to have a successful marathon in LA.

For the students that means running, cross-training, showing up, ensuring that your grades are where they need to be, going to tutoring if necessary, and communicating to the volunteers and staff when you have questions or need help to do all of this.

Steve Roberts
Volunteer Coordinator

Holiday Training Schedule

2009-12-16T22:45:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to everyone on a great start to the Holidays at Sunday's Christmas Relays at Lake Merced! Students ran in relay teams of two. It was raining at the beginning of the race but we had some sunshine by before we finished.

Upcoming weekend runs will be on Saturday, Dec. 19th at 8-10 miles at Inspiration Point (our first double digit run of the season and a great start to the holiday training schedule) and Sunday, Dec 27th at Lake Merritt for the LMJS 4th Sunday race. The LMJS run meets at the Sailboat House (568 Bellevue). Check the Calendar page for details.

Students, we look forward to seeing you at the weekend runs. We'll also have weekday workouts during the break, on Monday and Tuesday each week (21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th). Check with your School Captains for information on the workouts.

Better Training Through Clinics

2009-11-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

We're now up to 5 miles and counting! We're using a gradual mileage buildup both during the week (running and cross-training) and at the weekend long runs. In addition to our mileage, we've also had some great opportunities to learn about other aspects of our training. If you missed this past weekend's Running Clinic with Weekend Captain Alita and Coach Al, talk to your Lead Volunteer to find out details of what we covered. And don't miss this coming weekend's Nutrition Clinic with Dr. Patty Siri-Tarino. You can check out our Nutrition Basics page and then bring your questions on Saturday. Special thanks to Katie W. for coordinating our clinic schedule this year.

Volunteers, please remember to sign up for the weekend runs through the Calendar sign-up form. Also, make a note of our next Volunteer Meeting, Monday, December 7 at 6:30pm at the offices of the Alameda County Health Dept, 1000 Broadway Suite 500.

Looking like runners!

2009-11-11T20:45:00.001-08:00

Check out the new photos from the first few weeks of our 2009-2010 10th Anniversary season -- we're definitely starting to look like some serious runners!

This weekend we head to Lake Chabot for some rolling hills. Before the workout, Weekend Captain Alita and Coach Al will be giving a clinic on running form and technique.

SRO: Planning for the Future

2009-11-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

As some of you may be aware, Students Run Oakland (SRO) is taking our 10th Anniversary season as an opportunity for a closer look at where we have come from, where we are, and where we would like to go as an organization.

A Strategic Planning Initiative led by Board Chair Bridget Harper and Executive Director Spencer Hooper and comprised of staff, volunteers, and students is chartered with examining and positioning SRO to provide increased opportunities to a greater number of students in a more sustainable way. The objective is to develop the organization's road map for the next three years to meet these goals.

To date, with the help of outside experts, we have completed several significant phases of work:

Planning and goal setting
Evolving the mission, vision, and values statements
Completing a comprehensive stakeholder assessment and SWOT analysis
Summarizing internal and external data to develop core future strategies

During December and January, the team will move into the final initiative stages: writing and socializing the plan. To ensure that the strategic plan is a dynamic and living document, the final phase will be to develop the implementation plan.

We will continue to update you about our progress as the Strategic Planning Committee and our outside consultants wrap up their work this winter. As the implementation plan takes shape, we may be drawing on many of you to assist with its execution.

Together, we will build a stronger organization that continues to train Oakland youth for life, one step at a time.

Volunteer Engagement

2009-10-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Volunteers, By now, you should be starting to get used to our weekend routine. Here are a couple of tips for making the most of your weekend runs:

Keep engaged with students: Remember to run with and converse with students. That's why we're here! If you find a student running by himself or herself, or even find that you are running by yourself, please alter your pace to pair up with a student.
Keep engaged with other volunteers: At the start of the runs, check in with your Lead Volunteer and others in your volunteer group. Consider participating in the Thursday Evening Social/Training Run at Lake Merritt as a fun way to get to know other volunteers. Tonight we start at 6pm at the corner of 14th and Oak. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts for more details.
Keep engaged with marathon training: Remember that although a marathon is mostly mental, physical preparation can make it so much easier. Last week, we emailed out a training calendar to serve as a guide, especially if you are new to marathon training and looking for some additional information on how to help yourself be as prepared as possible to run with students in LA. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts if you did not receive your copy.

Week 4: 4 miles

2009-10-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend we'll run along the SF Bay Trail through Alameda for another four mile long run. Typically this run is not as windy as the Emeryville Marina, but come prepared for anything! It's getting late enough in the year that a sweatshirt or jacket for after the run is a good idea.

Students, there is a Nutrition Clinic with Dr. Michelle Mietus Synder on Thursday this week (Oct 22) at the YMCA. You can browse our Nutrition Resources and look through your Student Handbook for some basic information. Bring your questions to Thursday's clinic!

Volunteers, this weekend we begin the process of splitting everyone up into groups, with Lead Volunteers, Student Support Volunteers, and Students. If you are unable to make this run and don't find out your group, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts. Also, please remember to sign up for this weekend's run on the calendar, where you can also find directions to the run.

Beginning Our Runs Right

2009-10-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Students and Volunteers, congrats on your first two weekend runs! It may seem like a long way now, but in a few short weeks this mileage will be easy for you!

This weekend we'll be at the Emeryville Marina for 2-4 miles. Before the run, SRO's own Becky Austin, MD, will provide a clinic on stretching. Proper stretching during your marathon training will help you increase flexibility and prevent injuries. You can review our handout on injury prevention and stretching, or check your Student Handbook or Volunteer Handbook for some background information. Be sure to bring your questions to Saturday's clinic!

Volunteers, please remember to sign up in advance for this weekend's run on the calendar.

Violence in Our Communities: Message from the Executive Director

2009-10-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

In major metropolitan cities, urban communities across the country, inner-city students are being murdered in alarming numbers. As we watch the nightly news and hear about our wars, the economy, and health care, the murders of young people seem to become just statistics. But they are casualties taking place right in our own backyards.

In late August when I visited one of our schools to start recruitment discussions, I entered a somber campus and learned that the school community was mourning the death of one of its students who had just been murdered. Three weeks later, another one of our schools, Oakland Tech, lost a young person; she was murdered on Labor Day. This second senseless death hit even closer to home: she was in SRO's training program last season.

For the last few weeks, I sat to write about this deeply troublesome issue. Out of respect for the families and their privacy, I first decided that perhaps I should not write anything. But as each day progressed, I have become more compelled to voice the sheer anger and sadness I feel with what is going on. All too often when there is tragedy in our communities, it is followed by outrage and the feeling to do something; but as time moves on and the cameras or reporters are gone, the outcry and rallying to act dissipates. I often wonder what then happens to all of the emotions. If we only react during crisis, I am not sure how we will ever prevent them from occurring.

Many of the young people that we serve in SRO have experienced the loss of a friend or classmate by senseless acts of murder. Probably what is most troubling is that they are experiencing these atrocities as part of the realities of life. But we cannot allow ourselves and our youth to accept this as a truth. While I can't figure out how to stop or change it, what I have come to understand is that we must continue to keep a focus on each tragedy. Only by keeping these tragedies in the spotlight will there ever be change. I think more and more of us are realizing this. I applaud Sheilagh Andujar, the principal at Oakland Tech who established a task force of concerned parents, teachers, and citizens to come together to collectively change our young people's realities. I have pledged my support to Sheilagh to be an active member of this effort. I also encourage members of SRO to get involved.

Until we make ending the violence a top priority, more of our students will continue to lose their lives. We are all desperately needed in this fight. Those of you who want to get involved to make a difference, let me hear from you.

- Spencer Hooper, Executive Director

We are meeting here to put an end to this cycle [of violence], to put things back in order and to put the wheel of peace on the right track. The task is very great, but our hopes are greater.
- Hosni Mubarak

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Season!

2009-09-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Students and Volunteers, Welcome to the 2009-2010 season! We are looking forward to another great year of Training for Life, One Step at a Time. We are again targeting the Los Angeles Marathon, Sunday, March 21, 2010. You can view details of our planned training schedule on the calendar page.

Students, We look forward to seeing you at the first practice at the YMCA on Thursday, October 1. If you have any questions about paperwork, physicals, or just getting ready for the season, please contact Student Liaison Naa Dodua.

Volunteers, We look forward to seeing you at the first weekend practice at Lake Merritt on Saturday, October 3, at 8:30am. We'll be meeting at the 1418 Lakeside Drive. If you have not yet returned all of your paperwork, please check the forms page. You should bring your filled-out copies of the Volunteer Contract (pdf) and Volunteer Info Form (pdf), and you should review the Mentor Model before you come. If you have any questions about paperwork or just getting ready for the season, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

SRO September Newsletter

2009-09-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Message from the Executive Director

In thinking about SRO's 10th anniversary, I have been reflecting on the organization that I have had the privilege to be a part of for eight of its ten years, first as a volunteer and for the last seven years as the Executive Director (ED).

Through this lens as a volunteer and then ED, I have seen and driven a lot of change. In the early days of SRO, eight students ran the Big Sur Marathon. Seven years ago, SRO changed the culminating event to the Los Angeles Marathon. Los Angeles serves many purposes. It is a great course and event for first time marathoners. It is also a good "hook" to attract students to the program: a weekend stay in Los Angeles piques student interest during recruitment, and for those initially less motivated students, it continues to be the incentive until other motivators kick in.

Many of you may have heard me tell a story about the catalyst for SRO's focus to increase our students' exposure to different neighborhoods beyond their own. One Saturday morning as we were heading to San Francisco for a training run, a young man remarked that the bridge was a lot larger than he thought. While only an eight mile journey -- he had never been across the Bay Bridge. Increasing what our students are exposed to expands beyond local geographies. Over the years, we have added programs to more formally expose the students to healthy lifestyles, and to college and career information, so that they have a wider view of what is available to them.

SRO has always offered the program to students for free. However, each student is required to sign a contract (a code of conduct). What we know as adults also rings true for our students: people value those things that they either work or pay for. So, while we don't ask for money, we do ask for a commitment. Students must adhere to attending the trainings, keeping or developing a respectful attitude, and maintaining the required GPA. Over the last few seasons, we have added mandatory tutoring for all students with GPAs under 3.0.

Over the years, we are frequently asked if training for a physically demanding 26.2 mile marathon competes with students' studies. Our response is, not in SRO. The training comes second to academics, which is why our marathon completion times range from 3.5 to more than 7 hours. The marathon has always been a metaphor and tool for instilling the values of goal setting, discipline, sacrifice, and a commitment to excel. While many are from underserved communities, we know that environment does not dictate ability. We expect a lot from our students because ultimately we know that this is what best prepares them for their future. Our tagline most aptly says it: "Training for Life, One Step at a Time."

For all of the change over the last ten years, there are also many things that have remained the same. SRO's original founders were a passionate and dedicated group of Oakland residents. We very much see this same passion and dedication in our more than 50 new and returning volunteers who have signed up for the upcoming season.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect that has remain the same is witnessing the impact of the program on those who stick with it. Each of the students who has experienced crossing the marathon finish line is transformed and leaves the program with a profound understanding and belief that they can achieve great things if they truly commit to them. This lesson can be drawn upon throughout their lives.

In celebration of our tenth year, it is much greater than SRO: it is about our volunteers, community collaborators, parents, and students. Thank you for your continued support and inspiration over the years to make this milestone a reality.

In any business, a tenth anniversary is a significant milestone. If you can survive for 10 years, you're in for the long haul. The fact that we have expanded further illustrates that we're in a cycle of growth. -- Michael Henry

-- Spencer Hooper

Welcome to New Faces

As the season begins, as always, we welcome back familiar faces and look forward to meeting new ones. This season, we welcome two community members into leadership roles with SRO:

Steve Roberts, Volunteer Coordinator, worked with SRO throughout last season. Previously, he has held leadership roles with the AIDS LifeCycle organization. For any and all questions about volunteering with SRO, contact Steve: srovolunteers@comcast.net.

Naa Dodua, Student Liaison, has been the Saint Mary's College High School's Freshman Academic Dean, and a Member of the City of Oakland's Mayor's Task Force, working on Middle School and High School projects). The Student Liaison primarily serves as a student advocate both within SRO and in reaching out to external resources.

Upcoming Season: Volunteer Opportunities

Join us for this season's Volunteer Kickoff Meeting, Saturday, September 12!

If you are interested in volunteering with SRO this year, we would love to have you join us Saturday morning for an introduction to the SRO program and what is stands for, volunteer roles and responsibilities, and our training calendar.

As always, SRO needs volunteer support not only for mentoring and running with our students, but also to assist us with important duties and projects throughout the organization.

A sampling of our volunteer needs includes:

Administrative - Database Entry and Thank You Letter Support positions available.
Fundraising - a variety of positions are available as we look to build our fundraising team, including a Friends and Family Campaign Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Corporate Donation Coordinator, In-Kind Donation Coordinator, and Grant Writing Assistance.
Clinic/Community Service Coordinator - a single position that serves both student and volunteer communities in coordinating clinics, workshops, and community service opportunities with community partners.
Special Event Support - a variety of positions including bartenders, servers, set-up/tear-down specialists, etc., for a special event in November.
And, of course, Student Support Volunteers - mentoring, running with, and providing training run support for our students!

For more information about the Volunteer Kickoff Meeting or any of the above positions, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

10th Anniversary Celebration

As many of you know, this season marks SRO's 10th Anniversary!

Over the past decade, Students Run Oakland has reached over 250 students. Learn more about our accomplishments in our new video at www.sroakland.org.

Tremendous Thanks

Special thanks to those sponsors who have already pledged their support for the upcoming season: Downtown Oakland YMCA, helping with after-school practices; Fleet Feet San Francisco and Mizuno, providing running shoe fittings and running apparel for our students; and Clif Bar, providing nutritious goodies for our training runs.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

Save the Date - Next Season Kickoff

2009-07-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

Save the date!

The Volunteer Kick-off Meeting for the 2009-2010 season will be on Saturday, September 12th.

Location and exact time coming soon. Meanwhile, contact new Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our upcoming season!

SRO Newsletter - July 2009

2009-07-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

Message from the Executive Director

At the end of each season there is always the pride in seeing the transformation of the students who make it to LA and in watching their exuberance as they cross the finish line achieving their goal. There is also the sadness that comes with watching the seniors go off to college and other opportunities, and the knowledge that many of our underclassmen will be pursuing other activies in the upcoming school year and not returning to SRO.

Even though the marathon and our celebration banquet were over a month ago, for many of us it feels as though the season is just ending. This year we had record numbers of volunteers attend our seniors' commencement celebrations. With our extended season, we bonded with the students and the students bonded with SRO on a different and deeper level, perhaps making this end of the season much more bittersweet than others.

On a personal level, many of you know that my daughter Alex (SRO alumna) also graduated from high school this June. What I don't often share is that while I am excited for her to start the next phase of her life, I'm not quite ready to send her off and not have her here in Oakland with me. She too is excited about college and at the same time, not ready to leave. Her transition is bittersweet for both of us.

I suppose what makes transitions such meaningful milestones is exactly this dichotomy of feelings and emotions -- this deep desire to soar and reach new heights and the equally forceful desire to keep things the same, to remain comfortable. In speaking to some of our long-standing volunteers, community collaborators, and donors, here too, I see this dichotomy. While we are planning to move the organization to the next level, we also hang on to the past.

As I've had the opportunity to spend more time with SRO's seniors and prepare for Alex heading off to college, this experience further crystallized for me the instrumental role SRO can play in students' lives. We have only scratched the surface, there are tremendous opportunities we can fill; from helping students navigate exit exams and college entrance applications, to securing financial aid, to providing reassurance during this pivotal life transition.

SRO is also at a transformative crossroads. Last year we formed a strategic planning committee with the charter to build a three year plan to serve as SRO's road map to advance the organization. We want to become an even stronger non-profit organization with more comprehensive support so that we can better serve students. We want to expand the programs and services to the students where you can see the greatest transformations, students that some people refer to as "the difficult ones." I am pleased to say that we are making real strides in completing our strategic plan.

We will spend the balance of the summer achieving a major organizational milestone, the completion of our strategic plan and preparing for our 10th Anniverary Celebration. I will be callling on many of you in a variety of roles, from planning and implementing to helping spread the word. Being up close and personal to so many transitions this year, one thing I know for sure is that SRO's tranistion to the next level will also be filled with the dichotomy of emotion and will be bittersweet for many. We will be tasked with the challenge of how to grow and advance, but yet hang onto those things that make us special, and keep us true to our mission.

The new and exciting juxtaposed with the familiar and comfortable can transform each other to a greater and better whole -- that is both our challenge and our opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who made this unique season such a success and thank you in advance for what I know you will do to make our future an outstanding success!

"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Max De Pree

- Spencer Hooper

Los Angeles Marathon Success

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 SRO student athletes!!

Every student who started the marathon successfully completed it. Our finishing times were helped by unseasonably cool weather and terrific crowd support. Volunteer support throughout the course -- running, cycling, and helping at the finish line -- made the day go quickly. Thanks especially to those volunteers who were running their first marathon! We hope you'll join us again next year.

Tremendous Thanks

Our 2008-2009 season could not have been successful without the support of you, our community.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have provided grants, services, and in-kind contributions. We would especially like to thank The Barrios Trust, Children's Hospital, Clif Bar, Mizuno, Oakland Unified School District, Saucony Run for Good, Stewardship Council, Team Up for Youth, and YMCA of Oakland for their ongoing support.

Thank you especially to our friends, family, community members who contributed their time and expertise throughout the season. As a community-based organization, our volunteers and grassroots support are invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you, and as we look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season, we hope to continue to have your support!

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

Upcoming Events
Want to stay in touch with SRO? There are plenty of ways to keep up with us in the off-season...
July. Join us for the Fleet Feet San Francisco Sunset Run benefitting SRO. On Thursday, July 16, at 6:30pm at Marina Green in San Francisco, our friends at Fleet Feet are hosting a 5 Mile Social Run ($10 registration) with all proceeds going directly to SRO.

August. Check our website for updates, our first Volunteer Meeting of the season will be held this month. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

Save the Date. Stay tuned for details of our 10th Anniversary Celebration! The tentative date is November 7th. More information will be available shortly on our website.

Yes We Did!

2009-06-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Students and Volunteers, Congratulations on another terrific season! Our trip to the City of Angeles was an unqualified success. 31 students and at least that many volunteers traveled with us, and every runner who started out on Monday morning finished the Los Angeles Marathon. With cooler than average temperatures and an extra couple of months of training under our belts, our finishing times were quick and everyone seemed to be feeling good for our tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach the next day.

Students Run Oakland Friends, Family, and Community, Thank you so much for your support throughout the season. We couldn't have done it without you. Check back this summer, we'll be posting updates periodically as we plan our 10th Anniversary Season!

SRO May Newsletter

2009-05-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

Message from the Executive Director

After eight long months of marathon training it feels good to finally be heading down to Los Angeles. 26.2 miles is a long distance to run and can be quite intimidating; many runners have difficulty with the last few weeks of training. The truth is that we all get anxious coming into a marathon. There are a lot of reasons for this. For me, I'm concerned about such things as weather conditions, and whether students hydrated and got proper rest in the days leading up to the race, or if they ate too much at the carbo load dinner the night before.

Volunteers probably not only share many of my concerns but also have the added pressure of having to physically run with the students.

Students may have doubt about their outcomes because they have never run this far. They frequently see expressions of amazement or hear comments like "that's really far!" when sharing that they will soon run a marathon.

There aren't very many things we put as much dedication and energy into as completing a marathon. It's okay to be nervous in these final days. We have been training, struggling, hoping, stumbling, and succeeding preparing for our marathon -- all part of Training for Life, One Step at a Time. Using our history as an indicator, I can say with certainty we are ready.

I'd like to give a well deserved thank you to all SRO staff, supporters, volunteers, and students: you made this unusual season extraordinarily possible.

"They fail to perceive the sense of affirmation generated by the challenge of embracing struggle and surmounting obstacles."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

- Spencer Hooper

Supplementing Training with Clinics and Events

As part of SRO's mission to improve the overall health of young people through structured physical fitness training, mentoring, and nutrition education, we work with outside people and organizations to bring additional resources to our students.

In the past few weeks, SRO has hosted the following clinics and events:

Marathon Preparation Clinic with Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalist, marathon, 1972
Marathon Preparation Clinic with Alphonzo Jackson and Lisa Felder, Bay Area "Team in Training" Coaches
Injury Prevention Clinic with SRO volunteer and doctor Becky Austin
Substance Abuse Clinic with Thunder Road Adolescent Treatment Center
Ice Skating Party with Oakland Ice Center
Community Service: Shoreline Cleanup at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline park

Thanks for another great season of Training for Life, One Step at a Time!

Tremendous Thanks

Each year SRO receives terrific support from local and not so local organizations.

Special thanks for recent contributions from The Guardsmen, for providing subsidized entries to their Presidio 10 race, and to the Kaiser Community Benefits program and Dreyer's Foundation for their monetary donations.

Additionally, thanks to Mizuno for their support throughout the season, providing training gear for students and marathon uniforms for students and volunteers.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

Getting Ready for LA

2009-05-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

We're into the final two weeks of preparation for our big day!

Physically, we're spending the remaining time tapering.

Mentally, we're getting ready for race day. Students and Volunteers, here are some tips for your preparation:

Familiarize yourself with the course map and elevation profile (.pdf)
Think about what supplies you will bring and how you will carry them. There will be water each mile and Gatorade every other mile throughout the course, but you should plan on carrying your favorite snacks. Volunteers, SRO will provide additional food and first aid supplies for you to carry as well.
Make a plan for different kinds of weather. It is likely to be quite warm, so pack a hat and sunscreen and think about how much more you may want to drink. Re-read our Heat-Related Training tips.
Relax and enjoy yourself! Be sure to get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the race. We'll see you the day before the race -- Sunday, May 24 -- bright and early at the Oakland Airport.

Volunteers, please check the Calendar page for directions to this weekend's run! There is another event at Sports Basement (later in the morning), so consider using alternate parking as we did for the Presidio 10 race.

Tapering

2009-05-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU: Thank you all for such a great job running, biking, and providing aid station support for 20 (or more!) miles through the rain with the students. Everyone who finished was within the required time limit and we're excited to head to LA! Please email Christine with any feedback from your long run with the students.

Tapering: We are in taper mode now, gradually reducing our mileage and letting our bodies recuperate from the pounding of the last few months. This is what every marathoner should to do in the last weeks leading up to the marathon. Unfortunately months of training can be ruined by not reducing our training enough or by reducing our training too much. The goal of the taper is to get us to the starting line in the best fitness and the most rested state possible. Total mileage comes down in the last three weeks, mostly in the distance runs and long runs. It is important to continue to do interval and tempo workouts during the taper, albeit at a reduced volume.

Physically, we want to give our bodies a chance to heal from the stress of long training runs, track sessions, and hill workouts. We need to allow adequate time to rest and recharge prior the marathon. Many overzealous runners who train "harder, but not smarter" end up hitting the wall late in a marathon because their energy reserves were never completely replenished prior to race day.

Mentally, we need to give ourselves a chance to recharge as well. Many marathoners, who don't take the time to taper, lose their enthusiasm for the event and want to "just get it over with" instead of being highly motivated for an event they dedicated months of preparation to.

Marathon preparation: We have scheduled to a presenter this weekend to speak on preparing for a successful marathon.

LA Logistics: Volunteer packets (marathon singlet included) will be handed out at the May 16th run. If you can't make the run, please coordinate directly with Heidi to arrange getting your packet.

Volunteer Appreciation Party: We hope to see you and a guest this coming Saturday evening for our Volunteer Appreciation Party. Check your email for an Evite with all the details.

20 Mile Qualifying Run

2009-04-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Students and Volunteers, This is the weekend! Our last long run, 20 miles, will be this weekend in Golden Gate Park. It may be warm, in which case you should prepare for heat. However, there is currently a chance of rain, so bring your SRO jacket and/or hat to prepare for running chilly weather. All students must complete the run in 5 hours or less. Volunteers should plan to run with the student(s) with whom they plan to run the marathon. Please email Christine to let her know. As always, in addition to running volunteers, we will have several volunteers on bikes as well as water stops every few miles. We're here to support you every step of the way. Good luck!!

Students, As you know, at the beginning of the season you signed a Student Contract in which you made several measureable commitments to SRO as a community. These commitments included not only attending practices and Saturday training runs, but also goals for school attendance and grade point average. If you have not been consistently meeting these commitments, Student Liaison Michelle should be in touch with you to help you form a plan for improving and meeting your Student Contract.

Heat-Related Training

2009-04-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

The last few days could be a preview of what may be our reality down in LA in late May. We need to start preparing for those conditions. Here are some training tips for heat-related conditions.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Cause: Failing to replace fluids and electrolytes when dehydration sets in.
Symptoms: A core body temperature of 102°F to 104°F, headache, fatigue, profuse sweating, nausea, clammy skin.
Action plan: Apply a cold pack on the head and neck. Restore fluid and salt balance with foods and drinks that contain sodium.

HEAT CRAMPS
Cause: Loss of fluid and minerals (electrolytes) through respiration and sweat.
Symptoms: Severe abdominal cramps or large-muscle cramps (such as quads and glutes). Action plan: Restore fluid and salt balance with foods and drinks that contain sodium (salted snack foods, sports drinks).

HEATSTROKE
Cause: Extreme exertion, coupled with very hot, humid conditions and dehydration, impair your body's ability to maintain an optimal temperature.
Symptoms: A core body temperature of 104°F or above, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid pulse, disorientation.
Action plan: Emergency medical attention necessary.

HYPONATREMIA
Cause: A low level of sodium in the blood. Most runners are not aware that they can drink too much water. If you drink only water during your race, you will dilute your blood.
Symptoms: Nausea, muscle cramps, confusion, slurred speech, unsteady stride and disorientation. Because these symptoms mimic those of heat exhaustion, many runners make the mistake of increasing water consumption, which make the condition even worse.
Action plan: Seek medical attention. Drinking sports drinks and eating salty foods can treat minor symptoms. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications.

Prevention is better than cure, so it's up to you to recognize the early warning symptoms and take appropriate action.
- Take a walking break if needed to let your body cool down
- Drink at each water stop, take water and or Gatorade
- Watch out for symptoms of dehydration
- Wear a hat and sunscreen

Beyond Running

2009-04-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

As we mention frequently, SRO isn't "just" -- or even primarily -- about training for a marathon. SRO is a mentoring program, and we've been working hard to train not just for a race, but, as our motto says, training for life, one step at a time.

We're in the middle of a couple of weeks that really exemplify this commitment. Last Thursday, parents and families attended our second Parents Meeting. We're working together to support and ensure all students meet new challenges and exceed expectations. Last weekend, after our run, we participated in shoreline clean up at Martin Luther King Shoreline.

This week and next, students will hear presentations from teens at the Thunder Road teen alcohol and drug recovery program. And this coming Friday, we'll have an ice skating event, just as a chance to relax, laugh, and have fun together.

Then Sunday May 3rd it's our 20 mile run – the last long run prior to the marathon in a few short weeks!

Students and Volunteers, as always, it's a pleasure building a community with you.

Upcoming Events

2009-04-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

Students, Congratulations on completing the 17 mile run this past weekend! Once again we enjoyed excellent weather, and our strategy of walking for a minute after every ten minutes of running left us fresh and helped us finish quickly. We’ll continue to work on pacing during our upcoming runs.

Upcoming Events:

17 Mile Run: Students and volunteers who missed last weekend's run will have an opportunity to make up the long run by running the Martin Luther King course twice. Volunteers, we'll need your support for this! Please email Heidi if you are available to run the extra mileage.

Student Community Service: The students will be doing their community service this coming Saturday after the weekend run at Martin Luther King Shoreline. All volunteers are invited and encouraged to participate with the students. Please email Michelle if you plan on participating.

Parent Meeting: We have our second SRO Family Meeting Thursday, April 16th 6:00-7:30 at 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 (near 12th Street BART station in downtown Oakland). Volunteers are welcome.

Ice Skating Event: SRO will host ice skating for students on Friday, April 24, 2009 from 7:15 to 9:15 at Oakland Ice Center (519 18th Street, near 19th Street BART station, 268-9000) Please come out and join us for evening of fun!

Qualifying Runs

2009-04-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

This weekend is the first of our two qualifying runs. We will be running 15-17 miles from the Berkeley Marina. Our second qualifying run is 20 miles from Golden Gate Park, on Sunday May 3. Students must complete this run in 5 hours time in order to travel with us to LA.

Students, You need to be sufficiently trained in order to complete the marathon, and this weekend is a major milestone and fitness checkpoint. At this point in the season, you should all be able to finish without trouble! Consistency in weekday practice and weekends run will help you get there. If your attendance has been less consistent, Saturday may be a little harder, but we're here to support you.

We're also interested in helping your families to support you. Please let your parents and families know that we will be having a Parents and Families Meeting on Thursday, April 16. (More details to follow, check the Calendar page.)

Students and Volunteers, Please take the time this week to prepare for your long run this weekend -- 3 miles farther than we've ever run before! During the week, and especially on Thursday and Friday, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep at night. On Saturday, bring your hat and sunscreen, as we will be running for most of the morning.

Message from the Executive Director

2009-04-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

Last week Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist Frank Shorter talked with students and volunteers at the YMCA. He was impressed not only with our efforts to commit to a marathon but also with our staying the course with such a long training season. He made reference to "hitting the wall" and the mental aspect to completing the task.

For many of us, the term “hitting the wall” will be familiar. For our novice runners, this occurs in endurance sports and describes the condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued, the result of glycogen stored in the liver and muscles becoming depleted. It is at that point in the race when one feels like they just cannot continue. We have heard Coach Al talk about "mind over matter." This will start to take on a new meaning for many of you as we work through the last two months of training. His mantra, “mind over matter” is what's needed for all of us to endure. It is the mental stamina to push one’s body forward when physically, the body seems it cannot go on.

As we all know, SRO uses the marathon to promote the values and rewards associated with training, commitment, and sacrifice. In a usual season we train for five months and in early March, we complete our goal – the LA Marathon. With the additional three months this year, our training season feels like a grind. I can see it on faces of many of you at the start of our Saturday runs. I can feel it in the tone and vibe on the campuses during the weekly practices. It’s present in the conversations with parents. And, yes, I hear it in myself as there are days that I truly wish we had already completed our goal.

We need to remember that the marathon is our vehicle for instilling important values that serve each of us well in life. This unexpected eight month season is perhaps a great metaphor for life situations. The LA Marathon organizers, similar to what can happen in life, threw us a curve ball. We decided not to back down from the additional challenge and to continue our original course. And now, six months into the season, metaphorically, many of us have “hit the wall.” We grimace, we complain, we have to talk ourselves into going to practice, and on those bad days, we may even try to convince ourselves that we should quit. But, we know from completing our half marathon a few weeks ago, or finishing the first run that was in double digits – it is "mind over matter."

Over the next few weeks let’s focus on getting over that "wall." Perhaps we can enlist our "head cheerleader" Ralph to do what he does so well – lead us to chant like we did at the beginning of the season, “Yes we can.” Let’s chant, “It's mind over matter and if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” If you see someone who looks like they have hit the wall, pat them on the back and remind them that they can do it.

I know that we – SRO’s students, volunteers, and staff - will make it through this season. We will endure. We will make it over the “wall” and we will complete our journey victoriously on May 25th as we each cross the LA Marathon finish line.

Spencer Hooper, Executive Director

PS – If you see me with that grimace, like I just can’t take it any longer, please remind me that - Yes I can.

Keeping Healthy Habits

2009-04-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Students,

By now you should be well on your way to developing (and keeping!) healthy habits. We've had five full months of five days a week of training -- congratulations!!

As the spring progresses, we continue to have excellent weather, and it's just getting warmer. It's time to seriously consider your sun protection, especially as the runs get longer. Wear your hat, and apply sunscreen before the run. Remember to drink when you are thirsty! You will probably start to sweat more as the weather gets warmer.

This week, you are required to attend a mandatory meeting at the YMCA on Thursday at 4pm. All absenses need to be pre-approved by Michelle.

Looking forward to seeing you at Lake Merritt this weekend!

Upcoming Community Events

2009-03-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Students, we have lots of exciting events coming up! Only 8 weekend runs left, and lots still left to do!

On this Thursday, March 26, Frank Shorter will be at the YMCA to talk with you about marathon training. Among other running achievements, he won the Olympic gold medal for the marathon in the 1972 Olympics, and the silver medal for the marathon in 1976. Bring good questions!

On this Sunday, March 29, we'll be running the Presidio 10 race, a hilly 10 mile course in San Francisco (including over the Golden Gate Bridge!).
Castlemont students, the bus will pick you up at 6am on Sunday.
Tech students, the bus will pick you up at 6:15am on Sunday.
The bus will not wait. Please be prompt.

Next Thursday, April 2, the Alameda County Health Department will be providing a nutritional clinic at the YMCA. As part of the clinic participation, you need to keep a three day food journal -- so you'll need to start on Monday, March 30. Student Liaison Michelle Deiro will have more information on what the food journal needs to include.

Volunteers, if you are running the Presidio 10 Race with the students, please confirm with Christine, and meet us at 7:15am on Sunday. See you then!

Gearing up for our next race!

2009-03-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

Students, Terrific job on three weekends in a row of hills (Inspiration Point), hills (Lafayette-Moraga trail), and more hills (Stream and West Ridge trails in Redwood Park)! If all this hill running has left you injured or unusually sore, please make sure to check in with your captain. We'll also have a stretching and injury prevention clinic at this weekend's run.

Volunteers, As you know, we'll be racing in the Presidio 10 on Sunday, March 29. Special thanks to The Guardsmen. They are a service organization of Bay Area professional men devoting efforts to providing youth an opportunity to participate in camping, educational and other culturally enriching opportunities that they otherwise would not be afforded. The Guardsmen are sponsors of the Presidio 10 and have generously donated race registrations for volunteers and students. We'd like to support their efforts by providing volunteer support for the race. See your weekly SRO email for exact times and locations that support is needed, and contact Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon with any questions. On race day, we'll be meeting at 7:15am. Parking is available in the Presidio fairgrounds parking lot. SRO's exact meeting location TBD.

Calendar updates

2009-03-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

Students and Volunteers, please note that several of our next few runs have changed dates and/or locations. Please check the Calendar page for the latest information.

- Saturday, March 14, SRO takes to the trails! We'll run from Redwood Gate (Canyon Meadow staging area) in Redwood Park. See the calendar entry for directions.

- Saturday, March 21, we'll be running at the Emeryville Marina.

- SUNDAY, March 29, we'll be running in the Presidio 10 mile race. Registration fees for both students and volunteers have been generously provided by the event sponsors. Volunteers, if you will be running, make sure that Christine knows that you are running and what your t-shirt size is. Students, check in with your captains to make sure you are registered.

SRO Newsletter - March 2009

2009-03-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

Message from the Executive Director

I usually get to share this message at the beginning of each New Year, but give the doubling of our training season this year, you are getting it over a month later. As we enter into the second half of our training season it gives us the opportunity to reflect and focus on what we want to improve. For our seasoned volunteers, this message will be familiar, but it serves as a good reminder for all of us.

Our students have signed up for an audacious goal: the completion of a marathon. More importantly, they have signed up to become better students, peers, teammates, and contributors to society by adhering to SRO's code of conduct, which includes achieving or exceeding SRO's GPA (grade point average) requirement.

It would be great if I could say that all have completely committed to the program. Some have committed to all aspects of the program and are well on their way to participate and complete the LA Marathon. For others, the journey is yet to unfold -- some will make it to LA and some will not. As SRO staff and volunteers, we need to stay focused on our goals and SRO's mission statement. In order to best support our students, we need to communicate regularly with the appropriate folks -- students, myself, captains, and student liaison.

The upcoming weeks will be even more challenging. We are much stricter in enforcing all of the requirements as this is the time for everyone to not only become physically but also mentally prepared for the ultimate goal: completion of a marathon. We have better visibility into students' grades and realize that there will be students who are too far below the GPA requirement to meet it. Unfortunately, there will be others who will not be able to overcome the mental barriers. This can be a difficult time for our volunteers and staff as some students who they have gotten attached to will not complete the program. Usually, this is a very small group. This does not mean that we expect less from them -- we will continue to offer support and encouragement while holding them to our expectations.

What is most exciting about the upcoming months is that we also see the greatest growth and transformation. The least athletic students run significant miles. Those who were struggling to meet the GPA requirement make material improvement in their grades; I am very pleased to report that we are already seeing some marked improvement. Some students who had bad attitudes are much more respectful. And the more motivated ones become stronger leaders by helping their peers make it to the finish line. We witness our students successfully complete the big goal they set out to accomplish.

This is also when our volunteers get to witness the fruits of their labor -- students' transformation. I am again invigorated because I know that our collective efforts will produce yet another successful season.

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, not a person perfected without trials" -- unknown

- Spencer Hooper

Kaiser Half Marathon Success!

A little over a month ago, SRO participated in the Kaiser Half Marathon in San Francisco. The race was challenging yet rewarding: the students and volunteers pushed themselves through the sporadically hilly Golden Gate Park, onto the Great Highway with its amazing ocean view, and up a tough incline to the finish line. Finishing the half marathon showed students and volunteers alike that we are all committed to conquering the 26.2 miles that lie ahead in Los Angeles. In fact, the race caused many students to express both renewed hope and increased excitement about the marathon itself.

"For me, the half-marathon was fun, challenging, difficult, painful, relieving, and inspiring. Completing the 13.1 miles allowed me to believe in myself, because I never knew I could run such a long distance. Crossing the finish line was one of the best feelings in the world, because I was able to prove that I could put my mind to something and accomplish it. The race also assured me that if you push yourself, and put your 'mind over body', that anything is achievable. The Kaiser run was a wake-up call -- if I can do a half marathon, the full marathon is certainly within my reach." - Marcus, Grade 11, Oakland Tech

Two New Members of the Board of Directors

We are pleased to introduce you to two new members of SRO's Board of Directors. For many close to SRO, one name will be familiar -- Peter Gertler -- as he has been an active volunteer with SRO and has supported the organization in a variety of ways. The other new board member, Julie Waters, will not be a familiar name, but last season Spencer and one of our existing board members, Mark Alexander, started working with Julie to increase SRO's access to local political officials. Both Peter and Julie have a strong sense of community and a passion for SRO's mission; they will be great additions to the advancement of the organization.

- Bridget Harper, Chair, SRO Board of Directors

Peter Gertler is Vice President and the National Director for Rail and Public Transit with HNTB Corporation based in Oakland, CA. He has over 22 years of professional experience and specializes in large public transit development. A former Senior Manager at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), he provides a strong record of achievement in both the public sector and private consulting.

"As a volunteer, I look forward to my Saturday morning training runs, hanging and bonding with the students, and of course the ultimate prize of the marathon experience. Now as a Board member, I look forward to contributing to SRO's mission and organizational growth and development." - Peter Gertler

Julie Waters has interned at the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee and was awarded a fellowship at the American Heart Association (AHA) where she worked throughout the Bay Area to create public policies that would ensure better health outcomes for residents. She received the prestigious Cornelius Hopper Diversity Award from the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP), designed to help keep minorities and those from underserved backgrounds in sciences. Julie currently continues her research at UCSF in health disparities and directs a program in West Contra Costa County focused on reducing liquor store concentration in marginalized communities.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in an organization that I strongly believe in. SRO not only offers lessons in running, but also lessons for life. I am thrilled to be a part of those efforts and can't wait to create a positive change in the lives of the students we serve." - Julie Waters

Student Liaison Helping Students Reach Academic Goals

Student Liaison Michelle Deiro has been collaborating with teachers, parents, volunteers, and students to ensure that each student has the personal and academic support need to sustain their training and their commitment to the program in order to complete the marathon.

As part of their obligation with Students Run Oakland, students sign a contract committing themselves to our rigorous training schedule and to a 2.5 grade point average. To help students achieve their acamedic goals, Michelle has organized tutoring. This provides students with individualized help in order to improve their grades, and also helps them obtain extra credit in some of their classes. The tutoring as so far been quite successful: after reviewing the first semester grades, we are happy to report that the number of students requiring tutoring is declining.

Our seniors have been hard at work applying for college, which included an SRO application workshop to complete their personal statements. A few have already received acceptance letters!

In the coming months, students will also have opportunities to do community service, and apply for internships at the businesses of SRO volunteers.

Tremendous Thanks

Each year SRO receives terrific support from local and not so local organizations.

Special thanks to Pamakid Runners, who assisted with entry fees to the Kaiser Half-Marathon, and to ClifBar, for their generous donation of nutritious snacks for our training runs.

Thanks also to recent donors The Firedoll Foundation, The Gilmore Foundation, and The Olympic Club. SRO would not be possible without your generous support.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

SRO gets good weather again!

2009-02-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

Once again, we managed to get in our weekend long run between rainstorms! We had a lovely run last weekend at Lake Merritt. Thanks to everyone who made it out to the park.

Next weekend we return to hilly Inspiration Point in Tilden Park for an 8 mile run.
Students and Volunteers, please remember to bring your water bottles! All of our aid station supplies are hiked in by supportve volunteers here, so we ask runners to make sure and carry some of what they'll need themselves.

Students,
Injuries: We realize that some of you are experiencing injuries; you are still expected to come to weekend training runs where you can be evaluated.
Emails: Remember to check your SRO email twice each week. Many of your support volunteers are trying to communicate and check in with you via email.
SRO shirts: Please remember that you are expected to wear your SRO t-shirts to weekend runs. Talk to your school captain if you still have not received a rain jacket.

Rain Jackets, and Beginnings of LA Plans

2009-02-18T20:08:00.001-08:00

Students, Congratulations on another double-digit run! We were lucky yet again with the weather and had a great 10mi run on the Lafayette-Moraga trail and post-run potluck at Moraga Commons. If you did not get to pick up your jacket after the run, please contact your School Captain. Special thanks to Fleet Feet San Francisco and Mizuno for their generous donation of rain jackets.

Volunteers, Thank you for your support in making this past weekend's post-run potluck a success!
If you were unable to attend last week's Volunteer Meeting, please:
(1) take a few moments to complete our volunteer survey
(2) check your email for the weekly message, which includes the attachment "Los Angeles Marathon Fact Sheet". This attachment includes information on SRO's travel schedule and the probable costs of the trip to LA. Note that we need to know your travel plans by March 1! (not the 15th as it says in the attachment) Please contact Heidi Emmel (info@sroakland.org) with your travel plans or with any questions about trip logistics.

Volunteer Meeting and Post-run Potluck

2009-02-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

Students, You all have been looking great! Congratulations on a terrific set of performances at the Kaiser Half Marathon. Check out some of the photos of the race. You're half way through your marathon training! Hopefully the race served as a good gauge of your progress and is useful for helping you set goals for the season moving forward. We're looking forward to another double-digit run this weekend!

Volunteers, We have two important events this week:
- Volunteer Meeting, Thursday, Feb 12, 6:30-8pm. Please RSVP to Christine Chapon. We'll be sharing about how working with our students and with each other has been going, and we'll discussing the rest of the season, including preliminary logistics information for our trip to LA. The meeting is at HNTB Corporation, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1630, Oakland. (This is near the 12th St BART station, two blocks up from our usual meeting place and on the same side of the street.) Thanks to Peter for providing a meeting space.
- Post-run Potluck, Saturday, Feb 14, after our 10mi run on the Lafayette-Moraga trail. Bring some of your favorite healthy post-run snacks to share! Email Christine Chapon if you'd like brainstorming help about what to bring, or if you'd like to let her know in advance what you'll be bringing. Rain postpones the potluck but does not cancel the run.

Executive Director at the Presidential Inauguration

2009-02-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

I recently traveled to the Presidential Inauguration. My historic experience was filled with powerful indications of optimism for our future.

When I first arrived in Washington, there were four black women from London on my hotel shuttle talking about the Inauguration. As I inquired about their visit, I learned that one of them had been featured on the CNN International edition. She and 20 or so pre-school students were interviewed about the significance of Barack Obama’s win and what it meant to the US, the UK, and the world. I remembered watching the piece because I was quite impressed with the little ones and their knowledge and enthusiasm. I prodded my new English acquaintance to tell me the “real” story that these very young people had been well coached and she insisted that they had not… they were simply repeating what they were hearing in their homes about this new world leader. Certainly these English women embodied this passion for our new leader: they flew from the UK (without inaugural tickets). Their sheer enthusiasm to participate in this historic world event reinforced what I already knew, that this would be a momentous occasion of a lifetime.

The city was bustling with its nearly two million guests. It was brutally cold, the queues were horrific, metro stations closed on a moment’s notice, masses were re-directed and sometimes masses were left to their own devices, and the city’s on "loan police" from destinations such as Austin Texas did not “have a clue” as one told me. Despite all this, I saw the best of people. It was as if everyone who had made the journey took their own private oath to be the best that they could be. It was the best of human kind.

There was no reprieve from the cold the morning of the inauguration. With temperatures in the teens, hundreds of thousands of people headed to the National Mall (some even figured out how to spend the night in the freezing temperatures). I was one of the lucky ones; I actually had a ticket and a seat. In the hours before the gates opened, I spoke to people, heard their Barack Obama stories, watched the passion in their eyes as they spoke, and listened to their hopes for our new president and for the country. Regardless of race, religion, age, or socioeconomic status, I heard resounding hopefulness and optimism for our collective future.

What I was most struck by was the older folks; the seniors that I witnessed. Many reminded me of my father and uncles and aunts now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s who endured the indignities of segregation. These older folks were not allowed to vote until they were well into their 30s and 40s. They never thought that they would see such a day in their lifetimes nor that of their children. I watched seniors whose bodies under any other circumstances would have failed them on such an unbearably cold January day waiting in lines for hours and not having a place to sit. You could see that their will and determination to be part of this moment, their spirits won that day over their physical state. It was powerful to see.

During the inauguration, while I could actually see the proceedings without the aid of the jumbotrons, I guess in my own way, I still could not really believe what I was witnessing. I watched a woman in her 40s wipe the tears from her cheeks with her mittens. I watched young kids standing in their chairs on their toes trying to soak it all in. I looked behind me to see the nearly two miles of people stretched from the capital to the Lincoln Memorial – the entire distance of the National Mall. It too was a powerful and moving sight.

There were some lighter moments, like when this faint and increasingly louder chant of the “Na Na Goodbye” song moved from section to section similar to the way the wave moves through a football stadium – saying goodbye to the former President – Mr. Bush. And then there were more stoic moments when our new president spoke words with great imagery such as, "This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall; and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

The next day, I went back to the capital as crews were returning it to its regular state, removing the inaugural ceremonial displays. I walked the entire stretch of the mall and was hit by the thought of the sheer number of people that had filled the space the day prior. The magnitude of the nearly two million in person and the several billion across the globe that witnessed this historic day hit me. It was almost as impactful as the actual inauguration.

- Spencer Hooper

Kaiser Half-Marathon Logistics

2009-01-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

Students, for this weekend's Half Marathon, meet at your schools at 6:00am. The bus will take you to San Francisco for the Half Marathon! Remember to get a good night's sleep, drink water before you go to bed and again when you get up, and to eat breakfast. Your Student Handbook has more tips on race preparation, and the Nutrition resources section on this website has some suggestions about healthy breakfasts. Good luck!!

Volunteers, for this weekend's Half Marathon, meet at 7am at JFK and Transverse Drive (near 19th) in Golden Gate Park. There is parking where Golden Gate Park meets the Great Highway, with free shuttles to the start, or you can use the paid parking at Fulton and 10th. Please work with your friends in SRO and/or your Lead Volunteers if you are interested in carpooling, as parking is limited. For more information about parking go to the race website. Starting at 7am, we'll be picking up our bib #s and helping the students get ready for the race. Starting at 8am, we'll be running with the students! The race starts at 8am at JFK Drive east of Stow Lake Drive and finishes on MLK Drive near the Great Highway. See the course map. See you this weekend!

Getting Ready for Kaiser Half Marathon!

2009-01-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

Students, your double-digit runs of the past few weeks are about to pay off! We're looking forward to the Kaiser Half Marathon on Sunday, February 1. Your waivers must be turned in to your captain already in order for you to participate in the race. In the mean time, we'll see you for an easy six miles at MLK Shoreline this coming Saturday.

Volunteers, if you would like to run with the students at Kaiser, the registration fee is $40 and is due in Christine's hands by Thursday, Jan 22nd. SRO will cover $20 of this fee for the first 25 volunteer registrations. Please contact Christine Chapon for questions or information on where to mail or drop off your application. Thank you for your support and patience as we work out the registration details with the generous support of Pamakids Runners.

Starting the year with long runs

2009-01-12T19:41:00.001-08:00

Students and Volunteers, Welcome back from the holiday season!

We have several happy holiday moments together (see photos below) and hope that you had some of your own with friends and family.

Our first long run back to school was a doozy! We ran 10 miles on the Lafayette-Moraga trail, and we'll running 10 miles again this weekend starting at the Berkeley Marina -- our last long run before the Kaiser Half Marathon on February 1st.

Volunteers, before then, remember to RSVP for the Volunteer Meeting on Thursday, Jan 15th from 6:30-8pm at 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 in Oakland. Email Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon to let her know if you can make it or not.

LMJS 10k race: the start
LMJS 10k race: happy finishers

See more photos of the Christmas Relays and more photos of the LMJS 10k Race thanks to Marcus' mom!

Volunteer Meeting and Signups

2009-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

Volunteers,

Please mark your calendars for the Volunteer Meeting on Thursday, January 15th from 6:30-8pm at the Alameda County Public Health Dept, 1000 Broadway in Oakland, Suite 500. It's critical that you attend given we will discuss the remainder of the season including your availability between now and May.

Please also RSVP for the January runs. We do not have enough volunteers signed up for this weekend. Please check the Calendar page and use the sign up form to let us know if you can attend each run or not. Thanks and see you Saturday!

Happy New Year: Message from the Executive Director

2009-01-01T16:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

Last New Years I wrote about how I have always found the start of a new year to be energizing. That it gives us the opportunity to reflect and focus on what we want to improve upon. And that this ritual of deciding on our resolutions, our goals, held true for me personally and was true for SRO. Usually, at the start of the New Year, we are more than half way through SRO’s season. We traditionally quickly transitioned from the students being off for the holidays to an aggressive “welcome back” into an intensive training for the remaining few weeks of the season. This year, with five months ahead of us, the Los Angeles Marathon now in late May, we have a different set of opportunities. And a different set of challenges.

As I reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one, I am thankful for SRO’s staff, volunteers, community partners, and our students. Perhaps, I am invigorated to start the New Year, because I have the knowledge that our collective efforts will produce another successful season. So, I will keep my remarks much shorter for now… as you will be hearing from me a lot more over the next five months.

Thank you for a great 2008! Happy New Year to you and your families.

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential." - Ellen Goodman

- Spencer Hooper

Happy New Years and Welcome Back!

2008-12-31T17:28:00.001-08:00

Students and Volunteers, welcome back to marathon training! After a quiet couple weeks of vacation and fewer practices than normal, we're back in full marathon training starting on Saturday, January 3, with an 8 mile run at Lake Merritt.

Students, regular after-school practice and tutoring start up again on Monday, January 5.

Volunteers, please make special note of the location for the Sat Jan 3 run -- we will be meeting at 1418 Lakeside Drive (old Victorian house), NOT the sailboat house where we met this past weekend. Also, please save the date: Thursday, January 15, 6:30-8pm is our next volunteer meeting, location TBD. Finally, if you haven't already, please RSVP for the January runs: check the Calendar page and use the sign up form to let us know if you can attend each run or not.

SRO Newsletter, December 2008

2008-12-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Message From the Executive Director

At the start of each season, we review the rules with a bit more frequency until our new group of students gets acclimated to SRO. I'm sure many of our Newsletter readers recall that the Downtown Oakland YMCA, one of our strategic partners, allows us access to their newly remodeled state of the art workout facility, free of charge. Twice weekly we expose the young people to core strength training, spinning, and yoga to augment their running. In these classes they gain increased strength, balance, agility, and even increased mental discipline. Because it is such an impressive facility, the students are excited to get inside and start their training, but this excitement usually requires some tempering - little reminders to not run through the facility, to keep their voices down, and to be mindful and respectful of the other patrons using the gym.

A few weeks ago, as we were standing outside of the YMCA, I was reminding the students of SRO's rules. After I concluded the reminder, I asked the students, "Do you think you can do that?" and I heard one of the students in the crowd reply, "Yes we can." And right after that, another student understood the significance of the reply and chimed in and said "Yes we can." A few more students joined in and I even heard a couple of students reply back, "Si, se puede."

I smiled reflecting that our new President Elect, Barack Obama, had even touched and reached SRO. Regardless of political affiliation, I know that most of us would agree that the participation and dedication of focused young people is powerful, and we are fortunate to foster that here at SRO. We know that the young people who make it through the program and experience the tremendous pride of crossing the finish line are transformed to take through life an unspoken knowledge of "yes we can." Our new students, many who are a few years away from being able to vote, understood the symbolism and significance to this belief in knowing they can determine their outcome.

During our runs now, you hear young people saying "yes we can," quietly as they make it through their miles. You also hear SRO's cheerleader, Ralph, lead the group in really loud "yes we can" cheers.

At the start of the season this year SRO was better positioned than ever, and then we were thrown a curve ball. The Los Angeles Marathon, the culmanating event of the season, first moved from its original date in early March to two weeks earlier, in mid February, and then subsequently moved it to late May, three months later than our season typically extends. These additional months have sizable implications to the program -- it is three additional months of budget expenses that were not planned as part of the year. It is three months longer than our volunteers signed up for. And for SRO's seniors it will pose schedule challenges that may compete with planned graduation events.

We took a survey of staff, students, and volunteers to let the full organization make the decision as to whether or not we should extend the season. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of finishing the journey to Los Angeles. And, when I have been asked if SRO will be able to make it happen, I reply, "yes we can."

- Spencer Hooper

Los Angeles Marathon Date Change and Student Feedback

As many of you know, the ownership of the Los Angeles Marathon changed this fall, and with that change the date of the marathon was moved to Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

SRO surveyed staff, students, and volunteers and the result was overwhelming support -- more than 80% -- to extend the season an additional three months.

One of the first students to respond to our marathon training survey captured the essence of what SRO is about:

I think we need to do both runs [the Kaiser Half Marathon in February and the LA Marathon in May] to make SRO a good reputation of keeping their promise of L.A. marathon. If we don't and we just do the half marathon we would be walking home with hardly anything to be proud of. I signed up for a complete marathon no matter what day it will be on. This is only another challenge and I believe yes we can do it. We are ready for a new challenge. This is just like what coach Alphonzo has always said, "Its mind over matter, if you don't mind it dont matter". I have been with this program once and it already turned my life around. It taught me not to give up at all and keep trying until the end. So please fulfill another one of my dreams and give me another run for my life...
- SRO student

Student Liaison Reaching Out to Students, Families

Many of our readers, who are also donors, may recall that last year's annual fundraising campaign was focused on raising the funds to hire a Student Liaison. We are pleased to annouce that with the generous contributions from our supports and a grant from our community partner, Team Up for Youth, we raised the budget to fund this important position. The Student Liaison position was created to work directly as a student advocate, helping to bridge communication between students, families, teachers, and SRO, and also to link students with additional resources such as tutoring, college workshops, internship opportunities, and counselors. We are excited to have Michelle Deiro join us as Student Liaison.

My work in SRO is multi-faceted, but my primary focus is on being each student's advocate through motivation, care, high expectations and standards, and providing a strong kick in the butt when needed. In order to do this, I work with students to help them with personal and academic issues that arise and push them to problem solve and make strong decisions. I work closely with SRO staff, school captains, and other school staff to keep tabs on what is happening at school sites for our kids; arrange and monitor grades and tutoring; offer college workshops and college outreach; communicate with families as needed; share leadership, college, and personal growth opportunities within the Bay Area; arrange health clinics during training; support students' emotional and academic needs as they arise during the season; and of course run and workout with students at times during the week. I look forward to working closely with this community of strong, smart, and dedicated Oakland youth to support them as they continue to create meaningful and rich lives for themselves.
- Michelle Deiro

Increased Focus on Mentoring

SRO is fortunate to have a passionate and committed team of volunteers. Each year we have many returning volunteers as well as new recruits. Our volunteer base is such that we maintain a very low adult to student ratio which has always allowed informal bonding and mentoring to occur during the weekend runs and events throughout the season.

This season, SRO is continuing to evolve the mentoring component of the program by developing a more structured mentor model that will increase the cohesiveness of volunteers and students so that the core values of SRO are maintained and supported. We are hoping that deeper adult to student relationships will increase overall retention of students and volunteers, as well as the satisfaction and fun for everyone.

Volunteers are now paired with a Lead Volunteer, a veteran SRO volunteer who helps assist with orientation to the organization, and with one or two students, to whom they provide extra support and guidance.

Special thanks to Team Up for Youth for helping us develop our model and providing input as we continue to develop the mentoring side of our organization. Over the course of the season, we will share more stories from our mentoring program and introduce you to some of our Lead Volunteers and their Volunteers and Student
teams.

Clinic Series

Student Liaison Michelle Deiro is helping organize a series of clinics for students and volunteers. Topics to date have included college preparation, asthma awareness, injury prevention, nutrition, and healthy decision making.

SRO Annual Campaign

SRO's Annual Fundraising and Friends and Family campaigns are underway. To all of our supporters, thank you! We hope that you can see through our work how impactful your contributions are.

This year's campaign is focused on raising the budget for a Business Development position. Like the Student Liaison position that we were able to fund this year, the Business Development role is critical in advancing SRO. With this position, we plan to grow SRO and expand the program's reach to a greater number of schools and students.

Given the unique challenges of this season -- an unplanned additional three months due to the Los Angeles Marathon change -- we could also use more general program support. It's not too late to donate or to volunteer!

Tremendous Thanks

Each year SRO receives terrific support from local and not so local organizations.

Brett Lamb, owner of Fleet Feet San Francisco, has supported SRO for the past two seasons by hosting fundraising runs and by donating running gear.

This year, Brett facilitated SRO forming a relationship with the running company Mizuno. Mizuno is donating 100% of the students' running shoes and training uniforms for the season!

Over the past few months, we have also been fortunate to gain the support of Saucony's Run for Good foundation and the Stewardship Council. Run for Good has contributed funding to help improve the physcial health of young people, and the Stewardship Council has contributed funding to help more young people participate in outdoor activities.

In our upcoming newsletters, we will tell you more about SRO's incredible sponsors.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

Join our mailing list to receive this newsletter in your email inbox.

Holiday Training Plans

2008-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to everyone on a great start to the Holidays at Sunday's Christmas Relays at Lake Merced! Students ran in relay teams of two. It was raining, but that didn't seem to slow anyone down : )

Upcoming weekend runs will be on Saturday, Dec. 20th in Alameda and Sunday, Dec 28th at Lake Merritt for the LMJS 4th Sunday race. The LMJS run meets at the Sailboat House (568 Bellevue). Check the Calendar page for details.

Students, we look forward to seeing you at the weekend runs. We'll also have weekday workouts during the break, on Monday and Tuesday each week (22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th). Check with your School Captains or check the Calendar page for information on the workouts.

Volunteers, we'll be having a volunteer meeting in the first half of January to plan out the remainder of the season. Date and time TBD. In the mean time, please RSVP for the January runs: check the Calendar page and use the sign up form to let us know if you can attend each run or not.

Sunday Race this Week

2008-12-10T07:13:00.001-08:00

This weekend we'll be racing at the Christmas Relays at Lake Merced in San Francisco on SUNDAY, December 14.

Students, meet at your schools at 7:15am on Sunday.

Volunteers, meet at Lake Merced at 8:15-8:30am on Sunday.

Students will be in teams of two with one or two volunteers. Each student will run one lap (4.5 miles). Volunteers will run one or two laps with their student team.

The holiday season gives us several chances to race ... please mark your calendars for our regular Saturday run on Dec 20 when we return to Alameda, and then for another Sunday race when we join the Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders for their 4th Sunday run on Sunday, Dec 28. Check the Calendar page for details.

And finally, a big thank you to Fleet Feet San Francisco and Mizuno for providing running shoes for this season (we promise to wear them on our feet for the marathon!).

Los Angeles Here We Come!

2008-12-04T20:46:00.001-08:00

The results of our survey of students and volunteers are in ... and SRO will once again be training for the Los Angeles Marathon!!

Students, check in with your captains next week for more information on training schedules and questions about conflicts with other spring commitments like soccer.

Volunteers, we are excited that many of you are able to continue to train through May with the students! and we understand completely that not all of you can schedule in an extra three months of Saturday mornings. We appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to the program. For those of you who can't make it to LA, we hope that you'll be able to continue working with the students through the Kaiser Half Marathon or later (Feb/March). We'll have updates on our mentor model and student/volunteer pairings forthcoming as we figure out the best way to plan out the rest of the season.

Important Note for Saturday run: This Saturday's run will be at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. If you plan on driving home after the run through downtown Berkeley, please be aware that there is a Cal football game that starts at noon. Centennial Drive will be closed at Memorial Stadium and other parts of Berkeley will likely have more than usual traffic.

Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper

2008-11-29T15:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago I replied to an email from one of our volunteers regarding alternative approaches to the Los Angeles Marathon date change. After seeing some of the early responses to our survey on moving forward, and how vastly different the perspectives of volunteers versus students, I thought that it might be beneficial to share a slightly abbreviated version of my reply along with feedback from a very passionate student to the entire volunteer team.

What prompted me to share my email is that many volunteers appear to be responding with what they viewed was in the best interest of the students. Most illuminating for me is that there seems to be much to do in bridging our understanding of what the students expect from us and the program.

My email response to an SRO Volunteer.......

As we address the challenges of preparing for the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon - two date changes since the start of our training season - I thought that it might be worthwhile to provide greater context regarding our strategy and mission, and to center us in a better understanding of the approach and key decisions that shape the foundation for the season.

SRO’s mission is to prepare young people from underserved communities to meet daily life challenges and teach them that they can reach goals regardless of their circumstances. It is not by happenstance that we use a marathon as our vehicle. Running a marathon requires significant discipline, training, commitment, and sacrifice. Inherent in preparing for a marathon are the goals that we hope to impart.

We have learned that one of the most significant things that we can do is to increase students’ exposure to what life has to offer. Weekend runs are intentionally planned for different communities across the Bay Area so that students see far beyond their own neighborhoods. We fly to Los Angeles, which for many of the students is their first plane ride. Through the season, we expose them to different industries, and professions to broaden their understanding of careers to explore. Ultimately we want them to have a limitless view of what is possible for them if they put their minds to it.

Our selection of Los Angeles is very deliberate. Well beyond being a recruitment hook, it is exposure for the students. We want them to know that there are big rewards for big efforts. Additionally, the Los Angeles Marathon is rated as a great first-time marathon. The course is flat and the community is actively engaged, providing support throughout the 26.2 miles. Many of the local marathons like Big Sur and Napa, while scenic, are difficult courses, usually with set time limits, and very little community support to give encouragement along the way.

SRO is not for everyone. It is a big challenge – one that many shy away from. For the students who sign up for SRO and stick with it, there is a spark ignited. Even those who continue to come back and sometimes complain, show that they ultimately want to be pushed and held accountable. For the students, the goal is much more than collecting t-shirts and medals. It's about achieving what initially seems to be an insurmountable goal and knowing that they can do this in other areas of their lives. SRO is about that transformation.

This dilemma posed by the LA Marathon is also very symbolic. If we back away from a challenge and take the easier road – what is the message that we are sending to our students?

It was important to let the organization (students, staff and volunteers) make the decision for this season. We recently disseminated a survey to gather opinions about our next steps. It is my belief that the group’s decision will be to fulfill SRO’s strategic intent and complete the goal that was set forth -- the full marathon in LA.

One of our first students to weigh in on the survey sent the following response. This student epitomizes what SRO is all about. Hopefully it will help provide insight as to why we must continue to have high expectations of all our students.

Survey response from a student...

I think we need to do both runs to make SRO a good reputation of keeping their promise of L.A marathon. If we don't and we just do the half marathon we would be walking home with hardly anything to be proud of. I signed up for a complete marathon no matter what day it will be on. This is only another challenge and I believe yes we can do it. We are ready for a new challenge. This is just like what coach Alphonzo has always said, "Its mind over matter, if you don't mind it don't matter". I have been with this program once and it already turned my life around. It taught me not to give up at all and keep trying until the end. So please fulfill another one of my dreams and give me another run for my life. If we are going to do the marathon at late May, we should lower the days of practice for the weekdays, so students can do their homework. I believe students need to get their GPA up as well. If we don't have a good GPA we wouldn't be able to go anyways. Since the marathon is already delayed, our training should lower to keep up with our grades.

Students, Thank You

2008-11-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

Students, this week's theme is a big THANK YOU for your understanding and for your commitment to the program. As you know, late last week the Los Angeles Marathon announced yet another date change for the 2009 marathon, to Memorial Day weekend. As you can imagine, this is an unexpected development and we're still figuring out exactly what SRO's next steps are from here. We'll let you know as soon as we know more!

In the mean time, we're going to continue Training for Life, One Step at a Time. We'll see you at practice and at tutoring as usual, as well as at the Nutrition Clinic on Thursday (see Calendar page for details). The running shoes you were fitted for during last week's run should also be arriving this week.

Reminder - Runners High Documentary on KQED on Sunday

2008-11-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

Friends of SRO,

This Sunday, November 9th, KQED will be airing "Runners High," a documentary about Students Run Oakland, at 6pm.

As you know, Students Run Oakland is a comprehensive youth development program that uses the challenge of training for a marathon (26.2 miles) to help students develop long-term goals, improve health, and overcome obstacles. SRO builds confidence and resiliency skills, and reinforces the values of commitment and hard work. Students draw on these values for achievement in academics and other areas throughout their lives.

At the start of the season, most of our students cannot run one lap around their high school track (1/4 mile). SRO's cumulative success rate for completing the Los Angeles Marathon is 97%, and for the last two seasons, 100% of the students experienced the tremendous pride of crossing the finish line.

"Runners High" follows a complete season, and is a great way to learn more about our students and our program.

- Spencer Hooper

Lake Chabot Marina photos

2008-11-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend our run at Lake Chabot Marina featured hills, hills, and more hills. Luckily, we managed to finish just before the rain!

hills, hills, and more hills

luckily, there were several opportunities to cheer each other on

overall, a great run

see all our photos on flickr

Mandatory Meetings this Week!

2008-11-04T22:13:00.000-08:00

Students, there is a mandatory meeting this Thursday, Nov. 6, at the YMCA during practice. Attendance is REQUIRED as we are finalizing the roster for participation this season and will be making several important announcements. If for some reason you cannot attend, you need to have a conversation with Michelle about it first!

Students and Families, there is a meeting this Thursday, Nov. 6, at 1000 Broadway, Suite 500, from 6:15-7:15pm. Student Liaison Michelle Deiro will lead the meeting to discuss SRO experiences, hear from veteran students, discuss tutoring, and answer any questions about the program.

Volunteers, watch for an email announcement of your student pairings. We hope to have this sent out on Friday. Check with your lead volunteer if you have any questions.

Long Run #4 and Volunteer Lead/Support Model

2008-10-27T22:28:00.001-07:00

Long Run #4 was a beautiful 6 mile run along the San Francisco Bay Trail in Alameda.

after school practice at Tech this week

on the SF Bay Trail in Alameda

Friends of SRO, PBS will be showing Runner's High, a feature-length documentary about SRO filmed during the 2003-2004 season, on Sunday, November 9th, at 6pm.

Students, this week we start tutoring. Student Liaison Michelle Deiro has received your progress reports and attendance information. Remember that the Student Contract requires a 2.5 GPA; students with a GPA of less than 3.0 should have received information from your school captain about when and where the free tutoring is being held. If your GPA is less than 3.0 you are required to attend! If you have questions about tutoring, please contact Michelle.

Remind your families about next week's meeting! Thursday, November 6, from 6:15-7:15pm there will be a meeting for students and families at 1000 Broadway, Suite 500. Check the Calendar page for details, there should be a flyer shortly.

Volunteers, during the past week we introduced our new Volunteer Lead/Support Model at our volunteer meeting and subsequent weekend run. Each volunteer should now be assigned to a Lead Volunteer for support and questions, and you should be receiving your student pairings in time for our November 1st run. We're looking forward to increasing the cohesiveness of volunteers and students. We are hoping that deeper adult to student relationships will increase the overall retention of students, the attendance rates at training sessions, and satisfaction and fun for everyone. If you have questions, contact your Lead Volunteer.

Emeryville Marina

2008-10-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had another great run, 5.5 miles along the San Francisco Bay Trail starting from the Emeryville Marina. The weather was beautiful, but cold! Fierce winds greeted us in the early morning, but towards the end of our run it had warmed up ... a little.

it was cold!

but we went running anyway

after all, we're

Asthma Clinic Notes and Upcoming Events

2008-10-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

Asthma Clinic Notes - Before Saturday's run, a clinician from the Alameda County Health Department presented information about what asthma is and how to recognize an asthma attack in yourself or a friend, and how to help prevent asthma attacks. Use your inhaler about 20 minutes before you start running to help prevent an asthma attack, and be especially mindful on cold, windy days. Run at a conversational pace to help keep your breathing comfortable. Remember that if you have asthma, you need to bring your inhaler with you to each workout and show it to your captain when you check in.

Students - This week, we'll again have BMI testing at Castlemont on Monday. Remember that participation at practice is mandatory unless you have already talked to your captain about an excused absence!

Also on Monday, the Student Surveys are due. You should have received an email with a link and instructions for completing the survey. If you did not receive an email, make sure you have (a) sent your email address to Student Liaison Michelle Diero and (b) checked your email account this week. You can send Michelle an email with your information, or fill out the form on the website to give her your contact information.

Volunteers - The next Volunteer Meeting is this Thursday, Oct 23rd, from 6:30-8pm at the Alameda County Health Department offices in downtown Oakland: 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 (next to 12th street BART). You can find more information on the Calendar page. You can also use the Calendar page to sign up for upcoming weekend runs -- please sign up several weeks in advance if possible to help us plan.

Save the Date - Students & Families Meeting Nov 6

2008-10-15T18:52:00.001-07:00

SRO Student Liaison Michelle Diero is leading a meeting for students and their parents/guardians on Thursday, November 6, from 6:15-7:15 pm.

Agenda to follow.

Location:
1000 Broadway, Suite 500
Oakland, CA 94607

This is the Trans-Pacific Centre. It is next to the 12th St/Downtown Oakland BART station. Sign in with security guard in the lobby to gain access to the 5th Floor. Say you're with Students Run Oakland.

(Note: the College Workshop for Seniors originally scheduled that day has been moved to Thursday, November 13, at 3:45pm at the EOSA computer lab. Check the Calendar page for details and updated information.)

San Leandro Marina and Reminders of Upcoming Events

2008-10-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Our first four mile run! We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Great job to all students and volunteers. Remember this week's training tip: Run at a "conversational pace" -- that is, easy enough that you can have a conversation with your running partners (but not so easy that you can sing!).

warming up...

off we go...

remembering to stretch after we run...

Students, this week we'll be having BMI testing at Castlemont on Monday and at Oakland Tech on Wednesday. BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is one indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight for your body. You can learn more about it here or here. We'll have several opportunities for BMI testing throughout the season, so you can use it as one more way to gage your progress during your training. Of course, what's even more important is how you feel during your runs, how your times and mileages are, and most of all, how you feel throughout the day!

You recently received an email with a link to a survey about your general health and wellness. Please fill out this online survey by Monday, Oct 20th. If you did not receive an email, please make sure your captain has your email address. You can send us your email address using this form.

Check the Calendar page for other upcoming events. Later this month, there will be an Asthma Clinic, a Nutrition Clinic, and a College Workshop. Keep checking back for more!

Volunteers, please mark your calendars for the upcoming Volunteer Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23rd, from 6:30-8pm. Please RSVP by the 18th. You can email Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon or sign up online on the Calendar page.

Training Begins

2008-10-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Our first weekend run took place on Saturday. Students and volunteers played a few icebreaker games, then got in an easy two mile run at Lake Merritt before the rain. We're already looking forward to next weekend's four mile run, when the SRO seniors, most of whom were taking SATs last weekend, will be able to join us.

Students, starting this week we'll be going to the YMCA on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in addition to track workouts at your schools on Mondays and Wednesdays. Look for the SRO bus immediately after school on Tuesday and Thursday.

If you need to review the Student Contract and Asthma Policy, please do so before the next workout. In particular, note that if you have asthma, you must bring your inhaler to workouts in order to participate.

Volunteers, our next weekend run is Saturday, October 11, at San Leandro Marina. Sign up on the Calendar page for this weekend and any other weekends you can commit to. Signing up several weeks in advance helps us plan our staffing for running, water stops, and support.

If you have not filled out the volunteer survey yet, please take a few minutes to let us know about your background and areas of the organization you're interested in helping with. If you still have questions about finger printing, the Volunteer Contract, or other paperwork concerns, check the Volunteers page or email your questions to Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon.

Season Kick-off!

2008-09-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to recent publicity and a growing community of volunteers, the 2008-2009 season is off to a great start.

Our student recruitment efforts at Oakland Tech, the Castlemont Community of Small Schools, Rudsdale, and Farwest are well on their way. Thanks to the support of our Recruitment Team and Children's Hospital of Oakland, over one hundred students will be getting physicals over the next two weeks, in preparation for our first week of training at the end of September.

Our volunteer kick-off meeting on Saturday, Sept. 6, also generated a large turnout of both new and returning volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering during the upcoming season, you can learn more at our Volunteers page, or send your questions to Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon. If you have not yet filled out your volunteer paperwork, please contact Christine with any questions. And for new and returning volunteers who are already committed, please take a few minutes to fill out our volunteer survey and let us know about your background and interests so we can make sure we serve both our volunteers and students to the best of our ability.

Our first weekend run is Saturday, October 4th at Lake Merritt. Check our Calendar page for meeting time and directions and to sign up for this and upcoming training runs. We look forward to seeing you there!

Executive Director Message

2008-08-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Sept. 5 Screening of Runners High and Sept. 6 Volunteer Kick-Off

Typically, over the summer, the small SRO staff is busy preparing for the upcoming season, and at this time we start to welcome our volunteers and partners to kick off another successful season. This year, our non-training "down time" looked quite different. For the first time, we extended our program for the students beyond the culminating events -- the March marathon and annual banquet. We hosted a series of runs for those students and volunteers who wanted to get together after the season ended. We formed an operational team that is off to a terrific start and gained quite a bit of momentum during the period we would have called our down time. And some of our volunteer teams, such as the grant writing team, continued their work through the off season. The truth is that SRO has moved beyond a seasonal program to one that is planning and building all year round. While personally I have to admit that I liked having some of that "down time," as it relates to SRO, it gives me great pride to see our collective movement and advancement of SRO's mission. So while our down time or off season is a notion of the past, our drive towards working with young people to help prepare them for life is even stronger, and we are commencing the 2008-09 program better positioned than ever before.

To welcome you into the '08-09 program year, we would like to invite you to two upcoming events:

On Friday, September 5, KQED will host a special screening of the documentary Runners High, which profiles four students during their season with SRO. The filmmakers, former SRO students, and SRO staff will be speakers at the event and participate in a question-and-answer prior to the viewing of the movie. Pack up a picnic and bring your blankets and chairs for this free outdoor screening to share the experience of Oakland youths training to run the Los Angeles Marathon. The event is part of KQED's Truly CA Sunset Cinema series and the Oakland Museum's "First Friday after Five." The museum's gardens open for picnics at 7 p.m. and the film and conversation begin at 7:30. The event takes place at the Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street in Downtown Oakland. More information is at the film's website www.runnershighfilm.com and KQED.

On Saturday, September 6, we invite all new and returning volunteers to our Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting for the 2008-09 program. The location is the Alameda County Public Health offices, 1000 Broadway, Suite #A Oakland, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We value your presence at that meeting; it will give you an opportunity to meet with the staff, current and new volunteers; get answers to your questions regarding the program; and socialize and be ready for October 4, the first weekend run with the students.
We hope you will be able to join us for one or both of the upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you and for working together for another successful year.

- Spencer Hooper

Recruitment Team

2008-07-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

SRO Volunteers,

We are looking forward to another strong season at SRO this year and teams of us are hard at work getting things ready for the season. We appreciate all your hard work and commitment to the students, their families, and the SRO community – we couldn’t do this without you!

We are in the process of organizing our recruitment efforts and want to ensure that we recruit Oakland youth who need our program, will benefit from it, and can commit to it. We have all seen the amazing impact SRO has on the students and the SRO community as a whole.

Given that, we are putting together a Recruitment Team and we need your help! We are looking for people who can:

- Enthusiastically pitch SRO to students, their families, and school staff;

- Go to school sites during the school day on pre-arranged visits and speak in classrooms in front of groups of students for 10-15 minutes (we will provide key points to address prior to school visits);

- Speak to families about SRO at school registration;

- Be available for a few dates in mid-August until mid-September to speak at schools during the school day (between 8:00-3:30) for about an hour in total (specific times and dates will vary based on each school site). We are trying to go to each school (all three Castlemont schools, Rudsdale Continuation School, and Oakland Tech) at least twice, possibly three times during this time frame.

If you are interested in being part of the recruitment team, contact Heidi at heidiemmel@comcast.net. Even if you are unsure if your schedule will allow it, please contact her and let her know your interest and concern; your interest in being a team member is most important, as we will try to make the details and logistics work. Heidi will contact you and provide you with more information.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. We look forward to another great season running with and mentoring the students of Oakland!

In community,

Spencer

March '08 Newsletter: Post-Marathon Report and Celebration

2008-03-16T04:25:00.000-07:00

Here are text excerpts from the March '08 e-newsletter. Subscribe to the mailing list on the sroakland.org home page to receive the full newsletter formatted with photos.

Student Voices

Each of the 32 students who finished the LA Marathon spoke about their experience at a celebration banquet March 7. Many were overcome with emotion and spoke through tears. Here are some of their comments:

"I remember I couldn't even run one mile, and then I did 26." - Elizabeth Nunez, Castlemont ninth-grader

"I didn't really like to run. But running taught me new things and built my endurance. ... Crossing the finish line, now I know that if I can do a marathon, I can do anything." - Eric Bagley, Oakland Tech ninth-grader

"Every time we came together on a Saturday morning, meeting new people, that was great for me. Thanks to all the volunteers who supported me." - Ernesto Vega, Castlemont junior

"Him [Spencer] being tough on us made us so much better, and now we're wearing our medals, proud of what we've done. ... I'd like to thank every single volunteer. It's great for adults to be helping us get that accomplishment." - Salvador Lopez, Castlemont senior

"Ever since ninth grade when I crossed that first finish line, it just felt so great that I came back again. ... This is something I never thought I'd do. I always challenged myself academically but not physically. I hope you guys [the volunteers] in the future keep inspiring people to go forward." - Joanna Morales, Castlemont senior and four-time marathoner

"I'm just glad to be here today and can't believe I made it this far." - Danielle Bond, Oakland Tech ninth-grader

"I still do not know why I run, but I know it's the only space and time I have to relax, meditate, and reflect on myself ... and also to meet other people. It's been a wonderful experience." - Esmeralda Aguilar, Castlemont senior

"I'd like to thank all the volunteers and everyone who believed in me, because my friends didn't think I could do it, and I didn't think I could do it -- but I did it." – Taylor Hill, Oakland Tech ninth-grader

From MetWest teacher and SRO volunteer Young Whan Choi, who ran the marathon with the students: "As teachers, we have a lot to learn from the young folks in the room ... about motivation and experience."

Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper:

To the entire SRO team of staff, volunteers, and supporters: Thank you for a job well done and congratulations on yet another successful season! Thanks to the extraordinary effort of a collective group of passionate individuals, every student who started the marathon this season proudly crossed the finish line in Los Angeles on March 2. At our post-marathon banquet, we had the opportunity to hear from SRO's Board of Directors Chair, Bridget Harper. I would like to share with you a few of her observations and our shared vision for SRO's future. She spoke of how SRO is entering the second phase of its evolution, and of what we need to do to become a premier not-for-profit organization in the East Bay. As she put it, SRO is at a pivotal point, and "it is truly an exciting place -- the organization has solidly and consistently executed year over year and is ready and primed to take it to the next level." Please read the full text of her excerpted remarks on our website's blog.
- Spencer Hooper

SRO at the LA Marathon
(A few captions to photos that published in the newsletter):

- This season, SRO had its first father-son team: Matin and Umar Abdel-Qawi. Matin is a principal at Castlemont and Umar is a ninth-grader at MetWest. They ran every step of the way together during training runs and the marathon. At the post-marathon banquet, Umar called his father "my great inspiration."

- Ahmed Farah, a junior at Oakland Technical High School, ran the LA Marathon with volunteer Jamie Saunders and was the first SRO student to finish. Ahmed moved to the United States from Somalia two years ago. He commutes over an hour to school each morning, works with his SRO-provided tutor after school, and attended SRO practice three days a week while maintaining a part-time job at Safeway. His commitment and hard work paid off in LA!

- Syeda Jones, a ninth-grader at Oakland Tech, ran and walked the whole marathon with volunteer Christine Chapon. They approached the finish after the marathon course had closed and were accidentally detoured off course by street sweepers, which made their route a bit longer. At the banquet, a tearful Syeda spoke publicly: "I was the last person to finish, and the only one who did more than 26.2. ... Thank you, everybody. You stayed with me. You cheered me on through the finish, and it made me run faster when I saw everyone there."
Also at the banquet, Christine was singled out for special recognition for her six years of service as Volunteer Coordinator for Students Run Oakland. Executive Director Spencer Hooper said, "Everybody knows Christine throws everything she has into SRO."

Thanks and Misc.

A grand total of 45 SRO volunteers went to Los Angeles to chaperone the students. 32 volunteers ran with the students, 5 offered support while cycling the course, and 8 worked the finish line and post-race support. Heidi Anders worked tirelessly to coordinate the logistics, and thanks to her work, the entire weekend ran smoothly. As Spencer said at the banquet: "To the volunteers, thank you again and again and again."

Students participated in two community service events in February: 11 SRO students helped at a Valentine dance for youth and young adults of various abilities, organized by the Family Resource Network and Berkeley Parks and Recreation, and 16 students (pictured above) helped clean up the shoreline at MLK Park in Oakland for the East Bay Regional Park District. Thank you to the SRO volunteer drivers and chaperones who participated in these projects: Alita Sanchez, Kelley Haskins, Mark Tipton, Peter Gertler, Jodi Funk, Christine Chapon, Karen Kline, and Heidi Anders.

In February, SRO Volunteer Peter Gertler organized an opportunity for SRO students to learn about careers in planning, engineering, and architecture by visiting the firm HNTB Corp.,
where he works as a vice president. Several students attended. Many thanks to Peter and HNTB for offering this tour and pizza for the students!

Stay Tuned for Next Season: SRO will launch its ninth season this fall, stronger than ever and ready to reach a greater number of students. Want to be a part of it? Email Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chapon.

Board Chair Bridget Harper Speaks on SRO's Accomplishments and Future Plans

2008-03-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here are excerpts of remarks by Bridget Harper, Chairperson of Students Run Oakland Board of Directors, given at SRO’s March 7 post-marathon banquet.

When Spencer first requested that I speak at this year’s banquet, I had just seen the movie The Great Debaters. There was a wonderful exchange, a ritual between a father and his son. The father asked the son, “What do we do?” And the son replied, “We do what we have to do, so that we can do what we want to do.”

This father and son exchange stayed with me, because as I heard it, I immediately thought of the students participating in SRO. It also occurred to me that this truth “We do what we have to do, so that we can do what we want to do” is also very apropos for SRO.

I have been involved with SRO for the last six years, first as a supporter and then as a board member. This season was an incredible opportunity for me as I had time to fly up (from Los Angeles where I live) and get to know students, volunteers, collaborating partners, and donors. It has been such an awesome experience, that I would like to share a few observations because I think that they underscore what makes SRO such an amazing organization. Then I would like to provide some high-level thoughts, the board’s vision for the future of SRO.

Observation number one: The students

I was able to make several of the weekend training runs and participate in the culminating event: the marathon. I experienced the thrill of watching several of the students endure and then victoriously achieve the completion of the 26.2 mile event.

But, more than completing the marathon, I witnessed firsthand many of the students’ transformation from not really understanding the magnitude of the goal that they had set, to understanding the magnitude and then not really knowing if they could do it. To fully grasping the magnitude and knowing that they could do it. And then transferring this “I know that I can do it” attitude and belief to other aspects of their lives.

All of the students who made it to Los Angeles clearly understood that if they did what they needed to do, they could do what they wanted to do!

Observation number two: The volunteers, donors, and community collaborators

The volunteers are an amazingly passionate, talented, and spirited group of individuals! These are individuals who in spite of their busy personal and professional lives commit entirely and enthusiastically to the success of SRO.

Over the season, I also had the opportunity to meet some of SRO’s partners and supporters. With SRO’s partners, it was very clear that these are truly partnerships and our partners believe in SRO’s mission.

I also met the fundraising team and read many of the grants that were submitted this year.
This is a team who has so very eloquently captured and put to words the magic of SRO. They are energized by going after every dollar that they think SRO can get. And, they are individuals who graciously and generously open up their personal networks to SRO.

And then there is the team that makes it all happen everyday, the trio: Christine Chapon, Heidi Anders, and Spencer Hooper. This team is tireless and works unselfishly to deliver on SRO’s mission. As a board member, SRO’s leadership demonstrates the traits/values that you want to see. There is a passion about executing on the organization’s mission and the mission is used as a guide, a compass to lead from and as a basis for making decisions.

The volunteers, supporters, and SRO’s leadership have done what was needed so that the organization is positioned to do more of what it wants to do.

Where SRO is heading:

I liken SRO to being in its second phase in its life cycle, its evolution. The first phase, SRO’s inception, happened when a group of community-minded individuals planted the seeds for this wonderful organization to grow. The second phase, under Spencer's leadership, has been about transforming the organization to a business with a solid track record for executing. And as SRO is completing its eighth season, it is at this point in its evolution to really take it to the next level, to catapult itself to becoming one of the premier not-for-profit organizations in the East Bay.

Obtaining funding is the lifeblood for any not-for-profit organization, and this is a very serious and competitive undertaking. Funders have an increasingly complex set of things that they are looking for and greater sophistication in how they allocate monies.

It doesn’t matter if the funder is a multi-billion dollar corporation, a public institution or an individual donor -- there are some basics things that cut across each of these groups: They want to see that the organization is delivering on its mission; they want to see a consistent track record; they want to know that the monies they give will be used prudently; and they want to know that the organization will be around. So, yes, SRO had to transform itself into a business that consistently executes.

What are some of SRO’s proof points -- evidence of the program’s success and proof that we are executing on our mission?

- Over 90% of SRO’s students graduate from high school compared to Oakland Unified School District’s rate of 60.8%.

- Approximately 80% of SRO’s graduating seniors go directly to a college or four-year university.

- The cumulative Los Angeles marathon completion average is 98% -- and, the last two years 100% of the students completed the marathon.

Potential funders also want to know about the vitality and viability of the organization. Here are some examples of how SRO has evolved and transformed itself over the last couple of years:

- We’ve gone from an organization where most of the “how to” resided in people’s heads to one that is building a formal infrastructure.

- Early on, there were just a handful of sponsors and supporters. Today, SRO continues to expand and strengthen our community partners and have marquee/household brand-name organizations that now support us.

- The organization moved from not having a board to where individuals approach SRO about being on the board.

SRO has clearly done what it had to do to be at a point to do more of what it wants to do.

As SRO is at this pivotal point, it is truly an exciting place -- the organization has solidly and consistently executed year over year and is ready and primed to take it to the next level.

Here are some of the things that SRO wants to do -- our next round of goals:

- Enhance the student experience and improve retention by hiring a Student Liaison
- Expand tutoring for the students
- Increase scholarships for the students who are college-bound
- Expand the number of schools that SRO is offered to
- And build an all-year round program

This year, we launched two strategic imperatives: Board Development and a Strategic Planning Initiative. Both are intended to inform, shape and build the tools for SRO to execute on these goals.

There is the big goal ahead of us -- for SRO to become one of the premier not-for-profits in the East Bay -- and there will be the “road map” and additional leadership support to get us there.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for being such a source of inspiration; congratulate you on another incredible season; and applaud you for your work that will move SRO to the next level!

- Bridget Harper, Board of Directors Chairperson

Thank You From Spencer

2008-03-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

To the entire SRO team of staff, volunteers and supporters

Thank you for a job well done and congratulations on yet another successful season! Once again it all came together, thanks to the extraordinary effort of a collective group of passionate individuals.

Every student who started the marathon proudly crossed the finish line this past weekend in Los Angeles. After speaking with the students, I know that we executed on our mission as I witnessed a transformation in many of them.

“Life is not a path of coincidence, happenstance, and luck, but rather an unexplainable, meticulously charted course for one to touch the lives of others and make a difference in the world.” – Barbara Dillingham

Again, a much deserved thank-you. It’s your efforts that make "Training For Life, One Step At A Time" possible.

Positions Available

2008-01-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

SRO is recruiting for two part-time professional positions:
- a Fundraising Officer who would develop and manage a fundraising strategy, which involves coordinating SRO's current fundraising efforts;
- a Student Liaison who would serve as a counselor to the students to assist them in resolving personal, academic, and logistical challenges that hinder their participation in SRO.
Full job descriptions are available; please contact Heidi Anders if you are interested to learn more.

January Newsletter

2008-01-19T05:37:00.000-08:00

This is a text-only version of SRO's email newsletter. Subscribe to the email version, which includes photos, by using the subscribe button on the home page.

Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper

I have always found the start of a new year to be energizing. It gives us the opportunity to reflect and focus on what we want to improve upon in the upcoming year. It is about deciding on our resolutions--our goals. This is true personally and it is true for SRO.

For our students, they have signed up for an audacious goal: the completion of a marathon. More important, our young people have signed up to become better students, peers, teammates, and contributors to society by adhering to SRO's code of conduct and achieving or exceeding SRO's GPA requirement.

It would be great if I could say that all have completely committed to the program. If this were the case, I don't think we would truly be delivering on SRO's mission of serving those young people that need some extra support, motivation, and an occasional push. Some of our students have fully committed to all aspects of the program and are well on their way to participate and complete the March 2nd LA Marathon. For some, the journey is yet to unfold--some will make it to LA, and some will not. The new year is also an opportunity to give those who need it a fresh start after the school holiday break. And, it's during January and February where there will be the separation of those students who have committed and those who have not.

These upcoming weeks will be challenging. We are much stricter in enforcing all of the requirements, as there is no cushion remaining. We have better visibility into the grades and realize that there will be students who are too far below the GPA requirement to meet it. Unfortunately, there will be others who will not be able to overcome the mental barriers. This can be a difficult time for our volunteers and staff as they will see some students who they have gotten attached to not complete the program. Hopefully, this will be a very small group.

But, what is most exciting about the upcoming weeks is that we also see the most growth and the greatest transformation. The least athletic kids run significant miles. Those students who were struggling to meet the GPA requirement make material improvement in their grades. Some of those young people with bad attitudes become much more respectful. And, our more motivated students become stronger leaders by helping their peers make it to the finish line. We witness our students successfully complete the big goal they set out to accomplish.

I came across the following quote and thought that I would share it with you: "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." (author unknown) So, as the new year also gets a bad reputation for being the time when people make resolutions that they do not keep, this may be the opportunity for us adults to get our inspiration from the youth to stick with our goals and achieve what we started.

Happy New Year!
- Spencer Hooper

Student Q&A: Esaul Diaz
Esaul Diaz, 17, is a senior at Castlemont High. He answered these questions after a 9-mile run along the Alameda waterfront in December.
Q: What did you like most about the run today?
A: It was long and relaxing and not hilly. It made me feel good and was not as bad as last week.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about the training so far?
A: The mileage as it increases.
Q: Why did you enroll in SRO?
A: For baseball preparation and to get in shape.
Q: How has the program affected you?
A: It helps me mentally because after a run, it makes me feel good that I actually finished it. It's a good feeling of accomplishment.
Q: Have you learned anything from the training so far?
A: Yes, "Don't give up." When we did the hills last week [at Inspiration Point in Berkeley's Tilden Park], I wanted to give up, but one of the volunteers kept me motivated. Now I reflect on that moment and say, "I'm not going to give up."
Q: What would you be doing this Saturday morning if you weren't here with SRO?
A: Sleeping or sitting at home watching TV.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from Castlemont?
A: I want to go to a four-year college. Somehow I'm going to get to it.
Q: What would you like to do after college?
A: I'm thinking of joining the police department ... but also, I like to draw a lot.

Volunteer Q&A: Yoga Instructor Laurence Korth

SRO's program includes cross-training at the YMCA to build strength, improve flexibility, and help prevent injury. Part of that cross-training is yoga. What follows is a conversation with professional yoga instructor and volunteer Laurence Korth, who is in her third season teaching yoga to SRO students. Laurence has been practicing yoga daily since 2000 and is a graduate of the Piedmont Yoga Studio's Advanced Studies Program.
Q: What is the purpose of integrating yoga into marathon training?
A: Yoga is not about competition or comparison; it's about helping students learn how to know themselves so that when they run they can center themselves and find their focus and determination. Yoga gives them a connection to themselves--to their mind, body, and heart--so they can find their own strength and can keep going, and so they can relax even when it's stressful.
Q: What happens during a typical yoga session with the SRO students?
A: It depends on their energy and the "emotional weather," but generally I propose different poses. Most of the poses are meant to center themselves and surrender to the moment, and to relax. ... We do a lot of balance poses because that's most beneficial to them; they realize it's hard to balance if they don't concentrate and if they get distracted. It's not so much the quantity of what we do but the quality of how they relate to themselves.
Q: How do the students respond to the yoga instruction?
A: They respond very well and understand the connection between practicing yoga and applying that to the marathon preparation. It's about quieting the mind ... so they can calm down and center themselves.
Q: Do any students start laughing or complaining, and what do you do if they act disrespectful?
A: Not in my class. When I introduce them to yoga, I ask them to sustain their attention through the practice, and to notice when they feel like looking at their friend or talking, and to notice that moment when the mind is wandering around. I say, "Practice noticing when you not are paying attention; what is happening?" I ask them to be in charge of themselves.
Q: Why do you volunteer your time to teach yoga to SRO's participants?
A: It's "karma yoga"--yoga of action where service is given without the expectation of reward. For me, it's more rewarding than teaching for money; it has a sense of purity of giving from my heart.

Thanks and Links
Thanks to the generosity of Bay Area running stores and clubs, SRO students have participated in several races for free or a reduced entry fee: a 5K in San Francisco, a 5K and 10K around Lake Merritt, and a two-person relay (4.45 miles each) around Lake Merced. SRO thanks Brett Lamb of Fleet Feet San Francisco and Ryan Dawkins, director of the US Half Marathon race series, for sponsoring the students' participation in the 5K race in San Francisco, which was part of the US Half Marathon in November. Fleet Feet also generously donated T-shirts and socks to the students. Thanks to Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders for the students' participation in the club's 5K and 10K races around Lake Merritt in November and December, and to Tony Fong and the West Valley Track Club for the students' entry into the Christmas Relays event at Lake Merced.

Many thanks to Transports and New Balance for fitting the students with new, proper running shoes. SRO covers the remaining cost, so shoes and other gear are free to the students.

A sincere thank you to all who made an end-of-year charitable contribution to SRO. Many of our volunteers reached out to their friends and family, asking them to support SRO, and the early response has been very positive. As the campaign comes to an end, thank-you letters will be forthcoming.

Editor’s Note: Mental Toughness

Winter marathon training inevitably involves running in bad weather. For SRO's first Saturday run of the new year, we thought we had gotten lucky and hit a dry, calm window between the back-to-back storms battering Northern California, but raindrops started coming down as several dozen volunteers and students stood shivering and stretching during the "warm up" to a 9-mile run between Point Isabel and Point Richmond. Few complained, however, because as Spencer said, we have to put in the miles no matter what.

A half hour into the run, the winds began to blow furiously and made the flat terrain mimic a steady uphill as we leaned into headwinds that felt as though they could turn us inside-out like a flimsy umbrella. The drizzle soon strengthened to a cold, piercing sideways rain. The students ran in packs with volunteers, aided by waterstop volunteers who were unfailingly cheerful in spite of standing in a downpour with their cups on card tables blowing away. After the halfway point, as I ran past those students who were still approaching the turnaround, I witnessed the same thing repeatedly: a grin-and-bear-it look of determination. The students, whose hair and clothing were drenched, were suffering through a test of nature and of endurance that few if any of them had ever experienced, and they were passing that test with bravery.

The following weekend, students were required to complete four laps around Lake Merritt, known as "the mental toughness run" because of the distance (approx. 13 miles) and the monotony of running repeat laps. That rainy new year's run, though miserable at times, definitely helped cultivate the mental and physical strength needed for all the training miles in the weeks to come.

- Sarah Lavender Smith, newsletter editor

Send your comments on the newsletter to sro_newsletter@sbcglobal.net.

Holiday Training

2007-12-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

SRO Students - The next three weeks are going to be tough for those of you who have not yet bought into SRO. I encourage you to stick with the training over the holidays even if on vacation. We have prepared a holiday training routine for vacationing students and will conduct a modified training schedule for non-vacationing students. Please see your captains for details.

Historically this is when we realize our largest percentage of student dropout of SRO. We can change that trend this year and if all of you return after the break ready to move to next phase of training........ this is an opportunity to test your "mental toughness" required to finish the marathon. As I told you before, all of you are on track to have a successful marathon down in Los Angeles.

As we approach the halfway point of the season keep this in mind:

You can only go halfway into the darkest forest; then you are coming out the other side

Happy Hoildays

Spencer

October/November Newsletter: Training Begins

2007-11-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the text version of the October-November e-newsletter. Please subscribe to the email version, which includes photos, by joining SRO’s mailing list on the homepage.

Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Joanna Morales, SRO's Student Assistant Executive Director and a senior at Castlemont High. She frequently tells me with great enthusiasm that one day she will be the Executive Director of SRO. One of SRO's main goals this year was to increase the number of students who participate. A few weeks ago, I gave Joanna the challenge to help grow the number of participants at her school, and through her leadership, she recruited 10 students, which represents nearly 20% of the students in the program this year. As you read ahead, you will learn about Fred Jones, who was with SRO in 2004-05 and has returned as one of our captains, and Kim Duff, a new SRO supporter, who exceeded her individual fundraising goal by over 30%.

Certainly as individuals, common people can come together and achieve uncommon results. And as passionate individuals come together, the results grow exponentially.

In closing, I will leave you with a quote by Emerson, which embodies the sentiment so aptly expressed by Christine Chapon in her article featured in this newsletter: "It is one the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Student Voices

A few comments following the Oct. 27 4.4-mile run on the Lafayette-Moraga trail:

"It feels challenging and good - it builds up the heart - and I like that you just keep on going and look at the road ahead." - Zheng Yan, 15

"I keep learning more and more about what I can do." - Donovan Reid, 14

"It makes you feel better and proud of yourself. I never thought I could run because of my asthma. When you have people on the side motivating you, it's just better." - Terran McClain, 13

"I feel good because I was being pushed. I never got a chance to run around like this before." - Janeika McCullough, 14

Volunteers Gain As Well As Give
by Christine Chapon, Volunteer Coordinator

We always say at SRO that the students are transformed after they run the marathon. This is also true for the volunteers. Volunteering for SRO is not all about giving; it is also about receiving: Receiving the gift of trust from the students, which is not always easily gained and often requires work. Receiving the gift of camaraderie from the other volunteers, supporting one another during so many hours of running, getting to know each other - receiving those gifts leaves you transformed.

We also say at SRO that the program exposes the students to new places, experiences and opportunities. I can definitely tell you that it also exposes the adult volunteers to these things as well. Exposure to students or other volunteers who may be far apart from our own world can be challenging but will leave us with a broader sense of life and will definitely enlighten us.

We also say at SRO that we want to give students a chance to dream of a successful future, and I believe we adult volunteers should also have that dream. We should always have high expectations of our students, and always keep the bar high, so the students can fulfill their dreams and ours too. I can make you one promise: The students won't disappoint you!

Go Kim!

Last summer, SRO supporter Matt Forsman, aka Marathon Matt, offered his professional coaching to anyone who wanted to train for the US Half Marathon in San Francisco on November 4, as long as they committed to raise money for SRO. We'd like to thank the one person who accepted the challenge and wish her luck at this weekend's race: Kim Duff. Matt writes, "While Kim had some minimal running experience, she had never run a half marathon before and initially expressed some apprehension about tackling the distance. Kim remained firmly committed to her training and blew past the fundraising goal of $1300 ($100 per mile), raising nearly $1900 for Students Run Oakland. While Kim will be running solo in her first half marathon, Students Run Oakland will be with her in spirit every step of the way. I'm exploring the formation of a team that would raise money for SRO and train for a race in 2008, so contact me if you're interested. Let's hope Kim will be back with us again next year!"

Welcome Back, Fred

Fred Jones, formerly an Oakland Tech student, was in SRO during the 2004-05 season. Many people got to know Fred's story through the documentary Runners High, which spotlighted him and three other SRO students. Fred, who now works for AT&T activating phones and proudly has the job title "solution provider," is back as a volunteer to help motivate the students during their afterschool workouts. Before last Saturday's run, he said, "I'm back for the kids, to inspire them. A lot of these students remind me of myself. In fact," he added before running off, "there's one now I gotta go talk to, because he doesn't have on the right gear."

Upcoming

SRO students will run in their first 5K this Sunday, Nov. 4, held in conjunction with the US Half Marathon in SF. Thanks to Fleet Feet's Brett Lamb and race organizer Ryan Dawkins for sponsoring the students so they can participate free of charge.

Starting in December, SRO will hold a series of clinics for the students. The first is on sexually transmitted disease awareness and prevention. More will follow on topics including injury prevention and nutrition. Many thanks to volunteer Cynthia Rinker for coordinating the clinics.

More Thanks and Links

Perennial SRO sponsor Transports will fit the students with new, proper running shoes in November. Many thanks to Transports for once again opening its store to SRO and providing the shoes at a deep discount. SRO covers the remaining cost, so shoes and other gear are free to the students.

We have photos from the students' first run, Oct. 16, thanks to professional photographer Scott Hargis. See more photos of this season's students on the website and contact Scott if you'd like to learn more about his photography.

We welcome your comments, suggestions and submissions! Please email sro_newsletter@sbcglobal.net.
- Sarah Lavender Smith, SRO newsletter editor

September Newsletter: Message from Spencer and Season Kickoff

2007-09-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

The following is text from SRO’s last e-newsletter. To receive the newsletter, join our mailing list by signing up on the home page.

New Season Kickoff
SRO had a great show of support at its meeting for new and returning volunteers on Saturday, September 8. A big thank you goes out to the approximately 50 people who attended.

SRO's executive director, coach, and others told volunteers what to expect as they help students prepare for the LA Marathon. "You will make personal connections with the students and learn about the struggles in their lives," Denise Jeffrey, principal at Leadership Preparatory High School on the Castlemont campus, told the group.

Jeffrey herself ran the LA Marathon with some of her students three years ago. "A lot of my students don't believe in walking three blocks, let alone running 26 miles. I have seen them transform through SRO" -- not only getting in better shape physically, she said, but also "becoming students with grade point averages way above 2.0; students who know they can get into college because they have been challenged and know what they can do."

As in years past, SRO is recruiting from Castlemont (which has become a network of smaller institutions and is now called the Castlemont Community of Small Schools). Other students are likely to come from Met West and Oakland Technical. Executive Director Spencer Hooper and Coach Alphonzo Jackson are meeting with school administrators and making presentations to students throughout September, and those who sign up will receive a free health screening.

If you are interested in volunteering but missed the meeting, please contact volunteer coordinator Christine Chapon. Volunteers are asked to attend at least two Saturday training runs per month. All volunteers must sign a contract and be fingerprinted. See the volunteer section of the website for full details.

Message from the Executive Director
During my travels to Africa this summer, while resting under a tree between stops in my itinerary, I observed four small children come together and play. While I did not understand what they were saying to one another, it seemed they came together in a bit of a mischievous fashion, as small kids do. After a short while, the children moved beyond unfocused play into a suprisingly serious collaboration to build a fort. Each child had a role, and each made a contribution. I was impressed by how naturally and seamlessly they moved from their individual activities to the teamwork required to create something together.

As we begin the 2007-08 season, I frequently reflect on the collaboration required to make a program like SRO succeed. With over 50 new and returning volunteers coming out for our kickoff meeting, I am enthusiastic that we are off to a very strong start.

Perhaps the most significant collaborations facilitating the start of our season are the partnerships between SRO, the County of Alameda's Health Department, and Children's Hospital. I would like to thank Dr. Tony Iton, Alameda County's Director and Health Officer, and his team for providing program funding and nutritional support. Training for the 26.2-mile marathon, as many of you know, is physically very demanding. Before students can begin the training, we require that they pass a medical exam. Oakland's Children's Hospital provides these medical screenings at no charge to SRO. Dr. Barbara Staggers and her team of dedicated doctors take these screenings one step further by coordinating with the State to obtain health care coverage for any student who does not have health insurance.

So, in the spirit of the small kids in Zanzibar who figured out the magic of collaboration without the aid of contracts, formal rules of engagement, or project plans, I celebrate our collective efforts and express thanks to all volunteers and community partners.

The next five months will be quite a journey for all involved. While our collaborations are not always as simple in structure, they demonstrate just as profoundly what can happen when several people, volunteers, teams, and organizations come together with a collective mission.

Welcome and congratulations to all SRO volunteers and supporters for making the commitment to making a difference.

Remember, one generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.
-Spencer Hooper

Key Positions Available
While most SRO volunteers participate by running with the students and staffing water stops, SRO also relies on a core group to manage behind the scenes and to plan for SRO's future. Some roles are open that need qualified people with experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and event planning. Specific positions vacant include: student liaison, website coordinator, fundraising, and photographer. For more information, please contact Spencer Hooper by email or (510) 644-4232.

Thanks
Kudos to coach Matt Forsman, aka "Marathon Matt," for his efforts to raise funds for SRO by forming a team to train together for an upcoming Bay Area race. Team SRO has decided to pick an event in 2008 in lieu of the SF Half Marathon this November in order to build participation and sponsorship. Whether you're a beginning runner who'd like to train for your first race and support SRO in the process, or an advanced runner looking to PR, check out www.marathonmatt.com and email him. Stay tuned for details on Team SRO in the months to come.

Editor’s Note
It was inspiring to see so many of you at the volunteer meeting. Coach Alphonzo captured the essence of what will happen over the next five months of training when he told us, "Take a good look at the kids and remember them at the beginning of the season, and then look at them again on the Monday after the marathon. They are not the same kids." He's right -- and when you combine the transformative power of long-distance running with the mentorship that SRO provides, you've got a formula for achievement that will help these students succeed in life.
- Sarah Lavender Smith, SRO newsletter editor

SRO Volunteer Kickoff Meeting Sept. 8

2007-09-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

SRO VOLUNTEER MEETING FOR THE 2007-08 SEASON

Date / Time: Saturday, September 8th, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Location: Alameda County Public Health Department, 1000 Broadway, Suite 500, Oakland , CA 94607. Check in at Security on main floor. Say that you are with Students Run Oakland. Proceed to 5th floor meeting room.

What: To provide SRO volunteers with information about the upcoming season and answer any questions you may have. The new volunteers will also get a chance to learn from returning volunteers about their experience with the program.

Provided by SRO:
· Breakfast
· Opportunity to fill out & sign SRO volunteer contract & info sheet
· Fingerprinting of new volunteers (returning volunteers who had been fingerprinted with SRO previously do not need to get fingerprinted again). A background check / fingerprinting of all SRO volunteers is required before being able to run with the students. SRO will provide onsite fingerprinting for all volunteers needing this service through LiveScan during the meeting. A short form is required and will be provided onsite .

Please bring photo ID. We kindly ask you to cover the cost of the fingerprinting service. Please bring cash or check for $25 made out to SRO for processing fee.
We will also be confirming registration for free, optional CPR / First Aid Training scheduled for Sunday, September 23rd. Please RSVP to: christinechapon@yahoo.com before September 1st.

We are all very excited about our new season with SRO! It will be the 6th marathon in LA for SRO. So far we have brought just over 150 students to LA, and with your help this year we will continue to grow the number of Oakland students who cross the finish line!

- Christine Chapon
SRO Volunteer Coordinator

Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper

2007-08-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

The following article appeared in SRO’s newsletter. Volunteers and friends of SRO: Please join the list to receive our e-newsletter by filling out the subscription box on the homepage. We will use the newsletter to send out important info throughout the season. If you did not receive the August issue and would like a copy, email sro_newsletter@sbcglobal.net.

Message from Spencer:

In June, SRO was mentioned in the editor's letter of Runner's World. David Wiley, the magazine's editor-in-chief, praised SRO and stated that anyone who cares about the health and well-being of America's young people will wonder why there are not more programs like SRO. I appreciated David's recognition of the good work that we do, so I decided to send him a letter that attempted to answer his question and reflected on what it takes to make a program like SRO work.

My short answer is that programs like SRO of course need funding, but equally important is the need for people who care to give whatever time they can, whenever they can. In writing my response to David, I shared the story of one of our volunteers and how when I met this particular individual, she thought that she was too busy to really make a commitment. She thought that with such limited time, she would not be helpful to the program. Through some negotiating, I convinced her to come out and run with the students -- just to give SRO a couple of hours whenever it was convenient. In those few hours over that intense season, the volunteer made a connection with one of the students and had a positive impact on a young person with a need.

I have learned during my tenure as executive director the true power of volunteerism and all that can be accomplished with those who are passionate, have a sense of community, and share their talents and themselves with those with a need.

SRO is very fortunate to have a community of runners, teachers, parents, donors, and citizens-at-large who care about our mission. As we continue to build SRO, I want to keep a dialogue going amongst us. My hope with the newsletter is certainly to keep you apprised of our progress and successes, but also to engage you in larger issues facing our community, like childhood obesity. I believe that we can also make a difference in turning the tide in these larger societal challenges.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts in our collective dialogue. Please give us your feedback regarding the newsletter and as well as topics you think the extended SRO community would like to hear about and get involved in. Together, we do have the power to change lives one step at a time.

Important Upcoming Dates

2007-08-09T06:16:00.001-07:00

The website calendar will be updated soon. In the meantime, here are key dates for the upcoming season:

Saturday, Aug. 11: Team SRO kickoff with Marathon Matt, 8 a.m. Lake Merritt (see article in blog). If you miss the first meeting but are interested in participating in his half-marathon training program to raise money for SRO, contact him through his website, http://www.marathonmatt.com/.

Saturday, Sept. 8: Important orientation meeting for all new and returning volunteers at 9 a.m., location TBD. Spencer and others will go over plans for the season; we will also take care of necessary paperwork and fingerprinting for all volunteers. Questions? Contact SRO volunteer coordinator Christine Chapon.

Sept. 5 - 28: Student recruitment at participating high schools, which currently are Castlemont, McClymonds, and MetWest.

Saturday, Sept. 29: Five months of training begins!

Sunday, March 2: The LA Marathon

SRO E-Newsletter Now Available - Join Our Mailing List

2007-07-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

We have launched an electronic newsletter to gear up for the new training season and to keep volunteers and friends of SRO up to date about the season's news. Please sign up for it using the "join our mailing list" button on the home page. It includes a message from Spencer, important upcoming events -- in particular the first volunteer meeting, September 8 -- and useful links. Newsletters will be archived on this website soon. Welcome new volunteers and participants -- we look forward to starting a great season with you this fall!

Congratulations to SRO Marathon Finishers and Volunteers!

2007-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, March 4, this season's students and volunteers participated in the Los Angeles Marathon. Congratulations to the 19 students and 2 teachers who finished the marathon, and thank you to the volunteers! Now it's time to rest and then gear up for another great season starting in late summer.

Executive Director Spencer Hooper sent the following message to volunteers on March 8:

SRO,

Congratulations on another successful season. 100 % of the students who started the marathon crossed the finish line this past weekend in Los Angeles. After speaking with most of the students, I have truly witnessed a transformation in many of them. We have much to share; however, at this time we are sharing the each other’s pride & soreness. Please check our website for current news and updates.

Again, a much deserved thank-you to all of the SRO staff, volunteers and our supporters. It’s your efforts that make "Training For Life, One Step At A Time" possible.

The following comments were written by two students who participated in the 2006-07 season:

I joined SRO for many reasons, like, looking up to my happy and healthy great-grandmother, and also to kill some spare time. But one in particular is very important: it has benefitted me in my own personal gain. It helped boost my own confidence and self-esteem. I got to socialize with peers of different ethnicities from all over Oakland and very friendly volunteers. Before I joined this program, I was always cautious of my environment because I feel insecure. I never would make long conversation with anyone, and I would always have my “hoodie” on so people avoid seeing my face. But after this experience, I wouldn't be afraid of being looked down on. It has given me not only my own self-esteem and confidence, I also got to make many friends and stay in a positive environment. This program changed me into a new person.
- Anthony Ha, 11th grader, Oakland Tech

Students Run Oakland (SRO) is the best program ever. I got a lot out of it. For example, how to build endurance. I learned about physical and mental strength. I didn't just gain knowledge about training for a marathon. I learned that life is about challenges, overcoming obstacles, self-confidence, and victories.

Before I joined SRO I never knew what a challenge was. I never knew that you can train to reach your goals. I didn't know that until you get in your head that you can do anything, nothing is achievable. But with SRO I found out that setting your mind to do what you want is always reachable. Now, I apply this lesson when it comes to school. When I feel I can't get my assignments done on time, I tell myself that I can do it and I work hard to get them done. Even if it takes me all night.

Overcoming any obstacle is not easy. Yeah, you'll have some downfalls; however, you learn not to trip over the same rock twice and prevent yourself from falling again. SRO taught me how to push myself when I feel like quitting. This lesson I bring into play when I get frustrated from all the work I have to do; for instance, managing A.P. classes, attending after-school programs, and trying to have time for my friends, family, and myself. In order to meet a challenge or overcome an obstacle, it's very important to have self-confidence. With out it, it's twice the challenge and it's harder to conquer your goal.

Challenges, obstacles, and self-confidence lead up to victory. We all love the feeling of accomplishment. If you think about it, victory is just another word for SUCCESS. When I work hard to reach my objective and at the end I achieve it, the feeling I get is priceless.
- Esmeralda Aguilar, 11th grader, Castlemont

View the multimedia presentation of SRO

2007-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

The Oakland Tribune produced a terrific 2-minute audiovisual presentation about SRO. View it at http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_5358884. Or, from the insidebayarea.com homepage, click the "multimedia" tab on the right-hand column, and scroll down to the entry for March 5. SRO thanks the Tribune reporter and photographers for their great work!

SRO received a good deal of press coverage this season, and the articles will be posted on our website's "press" section soon.

More Chances to See Runners High, the Documentary Film About SRO

2007-02-15T06:42:00.000-08:00

The following announcement comes from the film crew that spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons producing a critically acclaimed documentary about Students Run Oakland. Please spread the word about the DVD and about the upcoming screenings!

We are very excited to announce that the Runners High DVD is now available for purchase online at our website :http://www.runnershighfilm.com/pages/Store.html. We are also excited to announce two upcoming screenings of Runners High:

Saturday, February 17th at 1:30pm
Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas.
Runners High is part of the official Austin Marathon events. For more information visit:http://www.attaustinmarathon.com/newsdetails.asp?newsID=108

Thursday, March 29th at 7:00pm
Ellen Driscoll Theater (at Havens School) in Piedmont, California.
Co-sponsored by the Piedmont Diversity Committee and The Piedmont League of Women Voters. For more information visit:http://www.diversityfilmseries.org/

Over the course of 2007, Runners High will screen at other race weekend events across the country. We will post updates and schedules on our screenings page as soon as we finalize them at:http://www.runnershighfilm.com/pages/Screenings-00.html

For more information about our screenings or to request a screening in yourarea, please contact:Rozanne Cazian, Marketing and Distribution Director
rozanne@runnershighfilm.com
(415) 412-1008

Tapering Tips and Final Marathon Prep

2007-02-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of you students and volunteers who made it this far in the season and completed the last long, hard, rainy run. You’re in the final stretch of marathon training now, otherwise known as “the taper.” In the final three weeks before the marathon, your body needs to recover from the stress of hard training in order to be in peak condition on race day. “Tapering” means not only reducing your training mileage, but also getting plenty of rest and eating smart.

Follow these “Dos & Don’ts”:

DO:
- Follow the SRO schedule and keep attending all workouts.
- Get enough sleep. This is a time to catch up on sleep and go to Los Angeles well rested.
- Eat smart and eat healthy. Follow the nutrition guidelines in your SRO handbook. Listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues; eat slowly and moderately when hungry, and stop when full. Maintain a balanced, healthy diet, and then emphasize carbohydrates in the final three days before the marathon.
- Focus on mental preparation. Visualize the race and mentally rehearse how you’ll push through the fatigue to reach the finish line. Practice visualizing a training run that you particularly enjoyed so you can think about this run when fatigued during the marathon. Think positive and have confidence in yourself.
- Stay off your feet, especially in the final week.
- Read the SRO Student Handbook section on “LA Marathon Countdown - 7 Days to Go” and “Preparation Checklist,” and follow all these guidelines. Get ready and get psyched!
- Ask yourself why you joined the program and why you really want to succeed by finishing the marathon. Perhaps the main reason why you joined (for example, to go to LA or to get free running shoes) is different than the main reason you want to run the marathon now (for example, you want to prove to yourself you really can reach your goal because you have trained so hard).
- Consider dedicating a mile of the marathon course to a person, a cause, or a reason -- and be sure to dedicate at least one mile to yourself.

DON’T
- Don’t run longer or harder than the schedule calls for during this time in an effort to “make up” lost training time. You will do more harm than good by not giving yourself enough time to recover before the marathon.
- Don’t do anything new. For example, don’t try a new activity that could leave your muscles sore, don’t break in new shoes that could cause blisters, and don’t eat anything unusual that could upset your stomach.
- Don’t overeat. Eating too much will make you feel sluggish and heavy before the marathon. That said, don’t cut back too much on your calories. Your body needs healthy food and water to repair stressed muscles and to store energy for marathon day.
- Don’t stress out if you gain a pound or two. Because your muscles should be fully stocked with glycogen (stored energy) and well hydrated in the week before the marathon, it’s normal to gain a couple of pounds in the final week.
- Don’t get sick. Try to avoid catching a virus; wash your hands a lot, get plenty of sleep, eat foods high in Vitamin C, and steer clear of people who have colds.
- Don’t forget to thank the SRO volunteers, and your family members and friends, who have supported your training efforts during the past several months!

Scholarships Available

2007-02-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

Students Run Oakland wishes to thank the representatives from the East Bay College Fund who spoke to SRO’s students recently. The East Bay College Fund awards scholarships of $16,000 to resilient and deserving public high school seniors who come from backgrounds that are under-represented in higher education. For more information and to download an application, visit the website at http://www.eastbaycollegefund.org/. The 2007 application deadline is soon, so SRO seniors should contact the group as soon as possible to apply. Students also should talk to Spencer for information on this and other scholarship opportunities. In 2005, SRO participant Marvyn Arevalo Avalos (who was profiled in the documentary film about SRO, Runners High) was a recipient of an East Bay College Fund grant.

Message to Volunteers from Spencer

2007-02-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

The following message was sent to volunteers on Friday, February 9. If you are interested in volunteering for SRO, please check out the website's Volunteer page for more info, and contact the volunteer coordinator.

To SRO Volunteers,

As we count down the weeks to the marathon, I want to thank you for all your hard work, commitment, and care with the students. Your efforts are invaluable to the program and the transformation of the students. I'm sure you're starting to see the sense of "I can do this" in them. This next weekend is especially critical as we'll be doing our longest run to date and your encouragement is vital.

As we are winding down the season, we are keeping one eye on next season and how we can improve. What we know at SRO is that you, our volunteers, are so important to the success of the program. Not only with your support of the students in the weekend runs, but any extra that you might be able to offer in the way of organization support.

That is what I would like to request of you today. In order to improve our organization, we depend on the generosity of our volunteers as they offer their skills and talents in their areas of expertise as well as running. We are currently short staffed in some critical positions and are looking for volunteers who would be interested in offering additional time to support these areas for the coming season.

The specific areas we are looking for support in are: Fundraising - Project Manager; Grant Writing; Database Entry; Student Liason.

If you are interested in supporting SRO in one of these areas, or in others, or know someone who might be, I would love to have a further conversation with you to discuss your interest, skills, and how they might match SRO's needs. Please drop me an email so that we can schedule a time to talk, and I will also be available at the SRO appreciation event this Saturday and look forward to seeing you all there.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Spencer Hooper
Executive Director
Students Run Oakland
510.868.0519/of
510.315.2465/fx
spencerhooper@comcast.net

Eat To Run: Essential Advice at the SRO Nutritional Clinic

2006-12-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

Two representatives from the Alameda County Nutrition Services Program gave essential advice during a nutritional clinic to Students Run Oakland on December 7, 2006. Any student or volunteer who missed the clinic should be sure to review these guidelines. SRO greatly thanks Pam Aziz and Ericka Doolittle for their presentation. They covered these points:

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for any teenager, and it’s imperative for anyone who’s training for a marathon. Your body simply cannot run the miles without proper fuel and hydration! The nutritional clinic covered the foundation of healthy eating and then focused more specifically on what to eat before and after training runs.

Your body requires more than 40 nutrients to be healthy and strong. That means you need to eat a variety of food from all different categories: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

The Basics of a Healthy Diet

Carbohydrates like fruit, bread, vegetables, pasta, and rice are extremely important for athletes because they are changed into blood sugar, which the body burns for energy. Forget about low-carb diets; carbohydrates are essential for runners. Eat complex carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Try to choose whole wheat over refined white bread; vary your veggies and try to eat dark green and orange vegetables for maximum health benefit; and eat a variety of fruit. These complex carbohydrates will do your body much more good than sugars like candy, sodas, and cookies, which give a short rush of energy that is used up quickly. Those sugary foods do not have the fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in complex carbohydrates. Most of your calories should come from whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.

Proteins make your muscles grow and help change carbohydrates into energy. Milk is an essential source of protein as well as calcium that teenagers need for strong bones and muscle development. Aim for at least 3 cups of lowfat dairy products daily such as milk and yogurt. Meat, fish, and beans are the other important source of protein. Choose lean meats, chicken, and fish that is baked or broiled instead of fried.

Your body needs fats but they should be consumed sparingly. Avoid saturated fats and transfats, and avoid fatty fried food in general. Try to consume most of your fats from vegetable oils, fish oils, and nuts; limit butter, lard, and margarine.

“Read It Before You Eat It” – Start reading food labels and looking at their nutritional content. Look for foods high in vitamins and fiber, low in sugar and saturated fat, and with zero transfats. For more info and serving size suggestions, see www.mypyramid.gov.

The Importance of Water

Water is necessary for the body’s metabolism, which means converting food to energy. The body is 70 percent water, and the body is always losing water through urination, sweat, and breathing, so that water must be replaced. When you exercise, especially run, your body needs a great deal more. When running, drink regularly; if you wait to drink until you feel thirsty, then you likely will become dehydrated. Monitor the color of your urine, and drink enough to urinate every 2 – 3 hours and so that your urine remains light yellow. Dark urine is a sign of dehydration.

What About Sports Drinks?

On longer runs over 2 hours, and especially on marathon day, you should drink sports drinks like Gatorade in addition to water, and/or have salty snacks such as pretzels or gels such as Gu, because these have electrolytes. This is a term for salts and other minerals that are essential for the body’s muscle and nerve function. If you drink lots of water over a very long period of exercise, you must replace your electrolytes or else you can become very ill. Therefore, on long runs, it’s a good idea to drink sports drinks. In general, however, sports drinks are unnecessary and water is preferable. Look for sports drinks that are less than 8% sugar.

When and What to Eat

The early morning run
• Eat a dinner the night before that contains large portions of grains or pasta, vegetables, and a small amount of protein like beans, chicken, fish or meat.
• Have a snack 1 hour before going to bed like popcorn, or cereal with milk.
NO candy, soda or ice cream!
• Have a pre-run snack or mini breakfast 1-2 hours beforehand.

After the run
• Drink lots of fluids even if you are not thirsty.
• Eat a snack containing carbohydrate and protein within 30 minutes after the run, like crackers and cheese or a peanut butter sandwich.
• Avoid big gooey desserts and fatty meals, like pizza, hamburgers and fries.

Pre-Run Snack Suggestions (1-hour before a run or workout:
Fruit juice, bagel, bread, crackers, dried or fresh fruit, smoothie, yogurt

Pre-Run Meal Suggestions:

Breakfast:
Cream of wheat with blueberries
French toast and orange juice
Granola and milk
Hash browns and scrambled eggs
Oatmeal with raisins and milk
Pancakes or waffles and fruit salad
Yogurt and fruit with a muffin
Smoothie with a bran muffin
Toast with peanut butter

Lunch or Dinner:
Macaroni and cheese, carrots and celery, applesauce
Pasta with sauce and salad
Rice and bean burrito
Chicken noodle soup and peanut butter sandwich
Vegetarian chili and cornbread
Pita bread and hummus with fresh veggies
Tuna sandwich, milk and fruit
Black bean soup and quesadillas
Nori rolls or sushi

Eating Out:
Submarine sandwiches
Japanese, Chinese or Thai food
Bean burritos, fish or chicken tacos
Deli sandwiches or pasta dishes
Wrap sandwiches

Runners High, A Documentary Film about SRO, Earns Critical Acclaim

2006-10-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

During the 2004 and 2005 seasons, independent filmmakers Justine Jacob and Alex da Silva produced a feature-length documentary about Students Run Oakland called Runners High. The film debuted at the San Francisco International Film Festival in Spring of 2006 and has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences. In early October, the film screened at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland in conjunction with a successful fundraiser for SRO. SRO wishes to thank all the members of the community who came to see the film and who attended the pre-screening fundraiser.

Runners High focuses on four students whose lives were changed for the better by their participation in SRO. The film shows how they confronted numerous challenges while training to run 26.2 miles, and it also spotlights the dedication of SRO’s Executive Director Spencer Hooper, Coach Alphonzo Jackson, and many SRO volunteers. A reviewer for the Toronto Star called it “pure inspiration every step of the way.”

To learn more about the film and to view its trailer, visit www.runnershighfilm.com.

Students Talk About Why They Joined SRO

2006-03-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

Toward the end of the 2005-06 season, students shared these comments about their experience with Students Run Oakland:

"I chose to be in this program because I really didn’t want to go home early. Also to distract myself from all the violence in the city of Oakland. This program has really turned my life around. It has showed me that Oakland really is a great city with more than great students. Without SRO I would have probably gotten into something that I did not want to get into in the streets. SRO is a lifesaver and a great program to discipline yourself to do your best at anything that comes into your life. Once you finish a marathon you can do and go up to anything."
James, Castlemont, 11th grade

"Thanks SRO, for everything, and that includes the hundreds of dollar of free stuff. I would definitely come back next year, and would recommend this program to all my other friends so they can experience what I had during these past months.”
Jin Yu , Oakland Tech, 10th grade

“I joined SRO because I wanted to do something that I didn’t think I could do. This program changed my way of thinking. I know it was a challenge that nobody thought I could do, so to prove them wrong I joined this program. Before joining SRO I never used to run in gym so I used to get C’s. But now I get A’s because I run.”
Tiffany, Oakland Tech, 10th grade

”I am in SRO because I know that this is very healthy for me and that it would put me in shape, but most of all it is for the people I love/care about. It is really hard to explain, but anything hard/challenging you do it in the hopes of making them proud. I do it for the voice in my head."
Chris, Oakland Tech, 9th grade

“I joined SRO because I wanted to lose weight and I thought it was something fun to try to do. SRO has really made an impact on me because at first I didn’t like to run but after I joined SRO I like to run. I never used to run in P.E but now I do and I get A’s in P.E. I joined SRO because I like challenges and I saw SRO as a big challenge. Also, I just wanted to go to L.A but now as the big run is getting closer I really want to finish this race.”
Ngozi , Oakland Tech, 10th grade

"There are many reasons to why I joined S.R.O. One is to prove to myself that I am mentally tough. I used to think that running was a simple task and that anyone could do it -- I was wrong. Training with the group gave me a chance to discipline myself. I want to give myself a chance to say that I ran one of the biggest races in the world and finished. S.R.O. is truly the bomb!"
Mary, 9th grade ,

"My name is Edgar and I'm part of the Students Run Oakland Program. I have been part of it for three years. When I heard about it was when I was a sophomore at Castlemont High School, I was 15 years old and since I did not have anything to do after school so I signed up. I thought it was gonna be fun to run a marathon and I was right! My first year was hard because I never had run a mile before, but thanks to the training the program gives you, it makes you accomplish your goal, which is the Los Angeles Marathon. But not only that, it makes you see another side of yourself you have never seen before and you never thought you had it in you. Plus it makes you stronger mentally like you feel that there is nothing you cannot accomplish because you have done a marathon, that is 26.2 miles which is something not a lot of people on the planet have accomplished, and like Coach Alphonzo says: “You guys have done something out of the ordinary so that makes you extraordinary”. And I think he is right, you know. It’s not really the result that you get at the end that really matters, it’s the journey that you took and the purpose you have put in your mind for doing a marathon.
During the three years that I have been in the program, I have met a lot of students around my age, that each of them have a different dream they are chasing after, but they are not sure they can accomplish that dream. But after the marathon, they look at life different, they don’t want just to accomplish that dream, they want to go beyond that dream, and that’s the same way I felt after I finished my first marathon.
I want to thank all the volunteers for always supporting the program and helping us: the students; Spencer Hooper for being a patient Executive Director; and Coach Alphonzo Jackson for never giving up on me and showing me that there is more than life. I want to thank Nola Turnage for believing in me all these years. Also thanks to Terry Buller, Christine Chapon, Sarah Smith and LaJuana Clark, Justine Jacob and the Da Silva couple for always being there when I need them. And I want to thank God for giving us the strength we got.
And everybody who reads this, always remember “Quitters never win and winners never quit.”
Sincerely,
“Superman” Edgar, 19, East Oakland, March 9th 2006.