{"id":6167,"date":"2019-08-30T06:20:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T13:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/sports\/?p=50000000191"},"modified":"2019-08-30T14:29:07","modified_gmt":"2019-08-30T21:29:07","slug":"jetblue-long-beach-marathon-homeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/sports\/jetblue-long-beach-marathon-homeless","title":{"rendered":"Group aims to build self-esteem in homeless with half-marathon training"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the second story in an occasional series looking at training for a half- or full marathon, leading up to the Long Beach race on Oct. 13. Members of the Post staff will share their personal training experiences, as well as stories of other local runners, race info and advice from experts. If you have a personal story you\u2019d like to share, a suggestion for a story or other feedback, email Managing Editor Melissa Evans at <\/i>melissa@lbpost.com<\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Runners like to talk about about the \u201chigh\u201d that this form of exercise brings. But to get the high, you have to go through a lot of physical and mental lows.<\/p>\n

And this, in my experience, never gets easier. I ran 7 miles the other day, and felt pretty good; a few days later I could barely get through 3.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like golf was to my dad: Every few weeks he\u2019d come home and order us to get ready: \u201cWe\u2019re going to the Sizzler,\u201d he\u2019d declare, slamming his keys on the table: \u201cI\u2019m giving up golf.\u201d A few days later he\u2019d swagger in, bragging about shooting his best round ever.<\/p>\n

Runners endure these ups and downs for all kinds of reasons: To support or raise money for a cause, to improve health or lose weight, or in my case, to crush and humiliate fellow employees.<\/p>\n

The latter is only partly true: This past year has been a tornado of change. Almost a year to the day of the JetBlue Long Beach Marathon<\/a> (Oct. 13), my husband and I split up and my beloved cat was killed. The pain of running\u2014specifically training for a race\u2014is an odd relief. I know that crossing the finish line this fall will mean something.<\/p>\n

Giving meaning to the pain is the thrust behind a very small nonprofit in Long Beach called Up and Running Again<\/a>. Founded a decade ago, the organization invites homeless individuals to participate in a 13-week training program leading up to the local race. Those who participate are already housed and fed at the Long Beach Rescue Mission; the running program\u2014optional, of course\u2014is meant to build back self-esteem and self-worth that comes from training and achieving a difficult goal. Similar programs are in place at rescue missions in Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas and elsewhere.<\/p>\n

This year roughly a dozen residents at the shelter gather three times a week at 5:30 a.m. for weekly runs, and a Saturday long run.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo watch and be part of this growth\u2014the physical well-being, the mental well-being, the week by week, day by day achievement\u2014is pretty awesome,\u201d said Vernon Rudd, organizer of the local group.<\/p>\n