Before you earn the badge of 26.2, you have to go long. You have to stack the training runs, string together the workouts, practice fueling, protect your sleep, find the right shoes, and constantly reframe your attitude. You have to stretch yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally if you want to run a marathon. And last weekend, Los Angeles went long. At Heartbreak, we hosted our longest long run of the season. One final 20 mile dress rehearsal, and just one day later, across the city at Hansen Dam, thousands of Students Run LA athletes took on their own version of the longest long run. An 18-mile race that serves as a final qualifier for The LA Marathon. For many of these students, it’s the furthest they’ve ever run, and it serves as a rite of passage not just for the students, but for the city itself.
Los Angeles has always been a place of long pursuits. A city full of young dreamers and seasoned veterans, all chasing something. Different stories, different starting points, same decision to go long.
To better understand what this moment represents, I spoke with Lucero Nava, External Affairs & Alumni Coordinator for Students Run LA. She works closely with students as they move from their first uncertain miles to the starting line of the marathon, witnessing firsthand how the long run transforms not just their fitness, but their sense of what’s possible.
Here’s our conversation.
Heartbreak: When students reach their longest training run of the season, what does that moment represent beyond the mileage?
Lucero: It represents the progress they have made over the season. Many of our students are introduced to running for the first time in August and have never run more than a mile. To go from that to 18 to 20 mile runs in just six months is an incredible transformation. It is exhilarating to see how much strength both the body and mind can build in such a short amount of time.
Heartbreak: How are they different at this point compared to their very first run?
Lucero: By the time they reach their longest runs, students are more confident, disciplined, and resilient. They have learned to push through discomfort, pace themselves, and trust in their abilities. Many also carry themselves differently; they walk taller, hold themselves with more confidence, and approach challenges outside of running with the same determination they’ve built on the course.
Heartbreak: What emotions usually show up heading into the Friendship Run?
Lucero:There is a mix of nervousness, excitement, and a little fear. For many students, it is the longest they have ever run so far in their training. They also feel pride and anticipation, knowing all of their hard work has led them to this moment.
Heartbreak: What does marathon training teach young people that has nothing to do with running?
Lucero: As someone who went through this program myself, I can say it teaches young people confidence, discipline, and belief in their own potential. Many of our students come from Title I schools in under-resourced communities, where programs like this are often a luxury rather than a given. Still, the results speak for themselves: in 2024–2025, 60% of students improved their grades, 99% graduated high school, and 94% plan to attend college.
Heartbreak: How does that confidence start to show up outside of training, in school, at home, in how they carry themselves?
Lucero: It really shows our students that they can do hard things. Life can feel like a marathon, but learning to take it one step at a time and keep moving forward is something they can carry into every part of their daily life. Teachers and families often notice that students are more focused, take initiative, and approach challenges with a sense of calm determination.
Heartbreak: What does access to something as big as the LA Marathon mean for a high school student in this city?
Lucero: Many of our students come from under-resourced areas where sports and extracurricular activities are often limited. Giving them the chance to run one of the biggest marathons in the world not only keeps them active, but also teaches them important life skills along the way. It shows them that they are capable of being part of something big, that their effort matters, and that they belong in spaces they might not normally see themselves in.
Heartbreak: Why does it matter that the broader LA running community sees and supports these students?
Lucero: Students Run LA has been around since 1989, but there are still a lot of people who do not know about us. Seeing young people run at this level year after year for almost 40 years is pretty incredible. It is not just about this year’s class, it is every student who has ever been part of the program. When the running community cheers them on, it connects people to this legacy and shows the next generation that they can do something amazing too.
Heartbreak: When they finally toe the LA Marathon start line, how do you hope they feel?
Lucero: My biggest hope is that these students feel proud. They have been training since last August for this moment, and they deserve to recognize how far they have come. I hope they trust their training and believe in themselves, because they truly can do this.
Heartbreak: There are adults and students training for LA. What connects them?
Lucero: Regardless of age, what connects them is the challenge itself. Everyone is on the same course, pushing through self doubt and stepping outside their comfort zone, even though each runner’s experience is personal. That shared experience of commitment, and perseverance unites runners of all ages.
Heartbreak: If you could say one thing to every runner in Los Angeles before marathon weekend, what would it be?
Lucero: Stepping onto the starting line is a victory on its own. You’ve already done the hard part through all the early mornings and tough miles. Trust yourself, take it one step at a time, enjoy the moment, and remember that you’re strong and resilient no matter how the day goes.