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 Maria and DJ, our Pace Leaders for our 8:30 Minute Pace Group!
Your Name: Maria Lat
Your Pace Group: 8:30
How long have you been a Pasadena Pacer? 2.5 years
How did you become a runner, and how did you find the Pasadena Pacers? I grew up in the Midwest where I started my running journey. I ran track as early as the 5th grade and played a lot of sports growing up. Running was always my favorite part of any sport. Once I joined the cross country and track team in high school, I quit all the other teams I was on! I found out about Pasadena Pacers in the summer of 2024. I wanted to get back into running after taking a few years off. I saw that they were hosting a training program for the Santa Monica Classic 10K. I met so many friendly Pacers and continued showing up each week!
Describe your pace-leading personality in three words: Motivational, supportive, and fun.
Every runner has one: What is your weirdest running habit, superstition, or non-negotiable? I have to do a 1-2 mile warm up in order to “wake up” for a run
You’re at Mile 20 of the LA Marathon and things are getting ugly. What are you telling your runners? Dig deep. You’ve been here before. Trust the process. You’re body is capable of more than you think!
Choose your fighter: Hills, heat, rain, or 20 miles of flat pavement? Rain
What’s playing in your head during a long run? I’m reflecting on all the things that have happened in the week and what’s to come the following week. I’m also thinking about the type of run I’m running that day and being intentional about the goal of my run. No matter if it’s an easy run or a speed workout, I make sure to set an intention for what I want to get out of today’s run.
The aid station has magically stocked whatever you want. What are you grabbing? Sour patch watermelons, electrolytes, and water.
What’s your favorite post-long run reward? A vegan breakfast burrito
Finish this sentence: “If you run with my pace group this season, I promise…”You’ll laugh at least 3 times and forget how long or fast we’ve been running!
Your Name: DJ Melgar
Your Pace Group: 8:30
How long have you been a Pasadena Pacer? 8 years
How did you become a runner, and how did you find the Pasadena Pacers? Started running for a girl and fell in love with running instead 😅 Found the Pacers through friends.
Describe your pace-leading personality in three words: Fun, Engaging, Adventurous
Every runner has one: What is your weirdest running habit, superstition, or non-negotiable? Chewing gum, must have. Restroom Pre-Run.
You’re at Mile 20 of the LA Marathon and things are getting ugly. What are you telling your runners? You didn’t train for 6 months to NOT finish with 6 miles left! LFG!
Choose your fighter: Hills, heat, rain, or 20 miles of flat pavement? 20 miles of flat pavement
What’s playing in your head during a long run? Inner monologue
The aid station has magically stocked whatever you want. What are you grabbing? Water/Celsius
What’s your favorite post-long run reward? Delicious food!
Finish this sentence: “If you run with my pace group this season, I promise…” You’ll PR at LAM and make good friends and fond memories in training to do so!