The Mainsheet

by TISH MELTON

More than 25,000 runners from all backgrounds, abilities and areas of the world are expected to participate in Sunday’s 38th-annual Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS.

The 26.2-mile course ranges from harsh uphills to steep downhills, and some of Chadwick’s very own have decided to take on the half or full marathon. Juniors Isabel Eddleston, Sophie Lalas and Sydney Spangler signed up for the half, a 13.1-mile course, last November.

“We were thinking … if someone told us, ‘Do a marathon or die,’ would we be able to do it? Later that night, we decided to register for the half-marathon,” Eddleston explained.

Although it’s easy to register for a marathon, the preparation and training it takes are not that simple, says Tyson Sacco, cross-country coach at Chadwick and a marathoner himself.

“It takes consistent training over a long period of time to get to the point where you’re comfortable and feel like you can handle it,” he said.

This dedication has been evident in Lalas’ training regimen, as she balances preparation for the marathon, plus school and lacrosse.

“I usually go two to four miles per day, and sometimes I have practices, so I try to balance it out with that, too,” Lalas said.

Spangler has been consistent as well, creating a good system to stay on track for the challenging competition.

“I’ve been trying to go on runs six days a week, mostly three mile runs and one really long run, which is about seven miles,” Spangler said.

Though it’s only Chadwick students who will hit the start line on Sunday, there are a fair share of past-marathon teachers besides Sacco on campus. Science teacher Owen Kiely, an avid runner since the seventh grade, is among those faculty members with impressive running credentials.

“I’ve done Boston twice, and run the LA Marathon for ‘funzies’ a couple of times, running the course alongside friends of mine,” Kiely said.

Although the teachers can make it look easy, Sacco admits that the race itself can be a brutally mental game.

“The race was enjoyable for the first 10 miles, then got pretty hard and then I was really wishing it was only 20 miles long,” Sacco recalled. “For the last six miles, even when you’re in good shape, you’re ready for it to be over.”

Although the atmosphere of events as large as the LA Marathon are always exciting, there are downsides to running this race, according to Sacco.

“The Boston Marathon is cool because it’s on a holiday [Patriots’ Day, April 17], so families come out and spectate. The course is super-energized by fans on most of the run, which is special, whereas in the LA Marathon you go through pockets and parts of the cities where there are spectators. But for a couple miles, it’ll be quiet.”

The Chadwick participants are ready to go, with personal goals in mind that they would like to accomplish on Sunday.

“I’d like to finish the marathon within, like, five hours,” Eddleston said. Spangler hopes to “make it to the finish line without a substantial amount of walking.”

Lalas has a more specific goal, wanting her hard work and consistent training to pay off. “I would love for 2 1/2 hours, if I can keep a 10- to 11- minute pace … but we’ll see how that goes.”

There are plenty of superstitions and pre-race rituals that runners like to carry out before a run, but the Chadwick participants only have one thing in mind. “We’re all going out for lunch afterward in celebration,” Spangler said. “Our families connected, and wanted to do something together.”

The difficulty of the course, which spans neighborhoods throughout the city, is among the many things that the runners are dreading.

“There’s a pretty big hill at the beginning of the race because it starts at Dodger Stadium, so we’re just going to wing that,” Lalas said.

Although running such a long distance is taxing on not only the body but also the mind, the participants are trying to focus on the positive aspects that they’re most looking forward to on the day of the race.

“I’m most excited to experience the environment.” Lalas said. “Being with thousands of people who all have a similar goal of finishing is special.

“It’s also been a long-time coming, so we’re all excited to own up to what we said we’d do in November.”

Added Eddleston: “To complete the goal and do it for ourselves … also to prove people wrong. Some of our friends said we wouldn’t be able to do it.”

Veteran marathoners such as Sacco offered advice to the students as they prepared to take on the grueling race.

“Go out slow and focus on just enjoying the experience. Don’t look at the mile markers, don’t worry about your pace, find a friend, start a conversation and let the time pass.”