Our 2027 LA Marathon training season officially kicked off on Saturday, September 12! Over the next few weeks, we will continue to introduce our awesome LA Marathon Pace Leaders as well as our Marathon Coach. Find out why they run and some fun facts that could spark a conversation during your next group run! This week, we meet our Marathon Coach, Andres and our LA Marathon Program Manager, Jan!
Your Name: Andres De La Cruz
Your Pace Group: 7:00
How long have you been a Pasadena Pacer? 6 years
How did you become a runner, and how did you find the Pasadena Pacers? I began running in elementary school, but I didn’t start training seriously until high school. In fourth grade, my teacher had a classmate and me race two of the faster fifth graders. They pulled us out of class to see who was the fastest in the school. I beat one of them and realized I loved running. In middle school, I discovered cross country and ran my first race. We only had one week of training before our first—and only—race. High school was where I officially began training, with a full week of practices and races. By my senior year, I was running up to 105 miles a week, and I continued running cross country and track in college. I started working with the Pasadena Pacers in 2017 as a sports chiropractor alongside the founder, Dr. Smith, who was also my mentor. At the time, I worked in his office, so it was great to see the Pacers from the outside. At the end of 2020, he asked me to be a marathon coach. I started coaching in 2021, which is when I officially became a Pacer.
Describe your pace-leading personality in three words: The Punning One
Every runner has one: What is your weirdest running habit, superstition, or non-negotiable? I never wear a singlet unless I’m actually competing. If I run a race for fun, I’d most likely wear a t-shirt instead of my singlet.
You’re at Mile 20 of the LA Marathon and things are getting ugly. What are you telling your runners? One mile at a time! Don’t forget to continue to use the aid stations.
Choose your fighter: Hills, heat, rain, or 20 miles of flat pavement? Rain
What’s playing in your head during a long run? It depends on how fast I’m going. If I’m doing uptempo work during the long run, it’d probably some house music, rock or metal. If it’s an easy run, then most likely hip hop or R&B.
The aid station has magically stocked whatever you want. What are you grabbing? Another Maurten gel!
What’s your favorite post-long run reward? A breakfast burrito and a large cup of coffee
Finish this sentence: “If you run with my pace group this season, I promise…” To tell you a joke on every run!
Your Name: Jan Zari
Your Pace Group: I like to hop around, but I am a former Pace Leader for Team 13 and Team 14
How long have you been a Pasadena Pacer? Since 2015 or so!
How did you become a runner, and how did you find the Pasadena Pacers? I picked up running in my mid-20s as a way to work on my physical health. I was never a runner when I was younger, so I had my doubts about keeping up with it. I signed up for my first 5K in 2013 and I loved the feeling of accomplishment, so I signed up for another 5K, then my first 10K, then my first half marathon. It’s a very slippery slope from there! I became aware of the Pacers when I noticed all the red shirts running around the Rose Bowl where I would run regularly. I was hesitant and intimidated by the thought of joining a running group, but I found my tribe while training for the 2016 LA Marathon with Team 14!
Describe your pace-leading personality in three words: Determined, consistent, and structured.
Every runner has one: What is your weirdest running habit, superstition, or non-negotiable? I have a lot of these! My pre-race routine has multiple steps, and things can go haywire if just one piece is missing. I prepare a “flat runner” to help make sure that I have everything I want and need for every race, regardless of the distance.
You’re at Mile 20 of the LA Marathon and things are getting ugly. What are you telling your runners? You can do hard things. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it sucks. You’re strong, and you can do it!
Choose your fighter: Hills, heat, rain, or 20 miles of flat pavement? 20 miles of flat pavement. I’ve done a 20-mile training run in the rain, with an umbrella. I can’t say that I can recommend it to others, but running with wet glasses in addition to being wet everywhere else is just not my jam.
What’s playing in your head during a long run? Dodgers podcasts or Peloton playlists. I have to listen to someone else’s voice to be able to ignore my own screaming inner voice when things get tough!
The aid station has magically stocked whatever you want. What are you grabbing? A cold Coke (especially a Coke Zero or Diet Coke) just hits differently at mile 20. Something salty to eat, plus spray or Biofreeze for my calves and shoulders, and I’m good to go.
What’s your favorite post-long run reward? Some variation of French fries and an ice cold Diet Coke or an iced coffee.
Finish this sentence: “If you run with my pace group this season, I promise…” Never-ending bells and whistles. IYKYK!