THEIR JOURNEY, THEIR OWN RACE

Here we go!! Another High Altitude Challenge for Our Kids!

That fun race I did when I was only 6, changed my life. It set me up for what i was going to enconter 12 years later when I joined the Costa Mesa High School track team. 

It is with that mind why I highly encourage our ITA kids to get involved in Running at the earliest age possible. I do not expect them to become runners, but to get involved and learn the benefits of being active. 

So far, we have kids whom have taken running to another level. The older ones have gone to become state champions, state runners up and all state members in XC or track. They have become mentors and  leaders in their teams. Others are leaders in the classroom and have joined clubs and other sports at school. 

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to watch a very sad documentary about children in South America who leave home in search of a parent to the Unites States. "Which Way Home" Showed me that the struggles our kids face in America  are nothing compared to what these kids have to go through. 

Im glad the kids we work with have us (ITA) as a network of support. I'm glad In The Arena Exist. Im glad  I can write about a different journey. One with endless opportunities, activities, challenges and rewards. 

Araceli, pacing her younger sister. Araceli was feeling sick that day. She is very active in the program. Also a member of a SAD (Students Againd Descructive Ideas) at Ortega Middle School. Kaiti, her younger sister is a regular at the ITA after school tutoring program. 

Rodolfo, He is one of our younger members. He says he will be  a runner when he grows up. Love his Stride!

Each week the day before the race, this flyer was delivered around the neighborhood to remind parents and kids to show up. I still owe those kids that completed the three races a trip to the movies. 

October was a busy month for our In The Arena warriors in Alamosa. We started the month with our annual XC races presented by the Alamosa Recrational Center. It has become a tradition for us to participate in all three races. As I go through the pictures, there is only one thing that comes to mind. We all have our own race. Our kids are not the exception. Some of them had more struggles than others. By struggles, I mean those in the actual race and those in the race of life. Today, I wanted to recap their own race in a picture. A perfect opportunity to share with you where some of our kids are coming from and where is it that they are heading. A close look into their own races.

Carlitos 3rd grader, despite moving to another neighborhood, he still involved with ITA.
He played baseball and football at the end and beginning of the fall. 

Alan 3rd Grade, He is in Choir and currently plays basketball. He is being paced by older brother Brayan who is the Hersey's State Champion in the 200m. Was the 2nd runner in XC for Ortega Middle School team and now is in Basketball.

Lizeth, running is her favorite sport. She is a great reader and A+ student. She likes the tutoring program, because after she is done with her homework she can help and play with the other kids. Our future marathoner right here! :)

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to watch a very sad documentary about children in South America who leave home in search of a parent to the Unites States. "Which Way Home" Showed me that the struggles our kids face in America  are nothing compared to what these kids have to go through. 

Im glad the kids we work with have us (ITA) as a network of support. I'm glad In The Arena Exist. Im glad  I can write about a different journey, race.  One with endless opportunities, activities, challenges and many rewards.