NHI Celebrates the 25th Running of the L.A. Marathon

Waking up at 3:00am to be ready for this year’s 25^th Anniversary Los Angeles Marathon seemed impossible.  However, over 30 student and graduate therapists from National Holistic Institute were pumped up and ready to go!  A few arrived earlier than staff!

This was the inaugural year of the Marathon’s route starting at Dodger Stadium and ending at the Santa Monica Pier.  Massaging runners at the beach – how cool!  It was optimally temperate marathon-running weather, with the fog never quite dissipating at the beach.  We warmed up quickly though as the runners started finishing and the line lengthened.  Despite what seemed like a never-ending queue, the NHI therapists worked tirelessly and with few breaks so that no runner had to wait longer than 15 minutes to receive our much needed touch.

As in years past, our students were chosen to work on the elite runners and Road Runners official training group.  Because the runners gave their all to complete the 26.2 miles to finish the marathon, our therapists dedicated themselves to providing bodywork until the last runner came through the line.  NHI Encino Student Life Coordinator Jan Takeshita reports, “Although tired and sore at the end, many commented that they were still exhilarated by the amazing experience and new friendships born.”

Having participated in the L.A. Marathon as a runner, massage therapist and student coordinator many times over the years, I was very impressed with the professionalism, skill, and dedication our students put into making this 25^th Anniversary L.A. Marathon as special as its title.

Many thanks to L.A. Marathon Massage Coordinator Steve Jackson as well as NHI staff Jan Takeshita & Jen Moore for their participation at the Marathon and John Gorman & Craig Arakaki for providing the necessary training to the students before hand.  Now we get to rest up to do it all again next year!