Our 2023 LA Marathon training season officially kicked off on Saturday, September 17! Over the next few weeks, we will 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 Micah, Pace Leader for the 6 and 7 Minute Pace Group and Andres, our Marathon Coach and Team Doc!
Name: Micah Hoang
Which group do you run with? The 6/7 Minute Group. I also run with Run with Us Club and occasionally, Donuts Run Club.
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? 4 months
How many marathons have you run? 1
Why do you run? I enjoy seeing how far I can push my body, and also meeting new people and socializing with them outside of running.
Favorite post run snack/meal? Chocolate milk and mangos
Running Mantra: Enjoy the process!
Occupation: Graphic Design student at ArtCenter, plus small business owner of my product, National Park Playing Cards
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
What do you do for fun? Besides running, I enjoy getting good food with good friends and hiking.
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): I can juggle semi-decently!
Name: Dr. Andres T. De La Cruz, DC
Which group do you run with? Marathon groups 6/7 and 8
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? Officially, since 2020 but I’ve been helping Doc Smith with the pacers since 2017
How long have you been coaching the marathon? I’ve been coaching since 2009, but did not start coaching the marathon until 2017. Since 2017, I’ve coached 5 USA Olympics Marathon Trial qualifiers and numerous Boston qualifiers. I have also coached high school men’s and women’s cross country and track and field for 7 years at Norwalk High School and for 3 years at Cal State LA, respectively.
Why do you run? I have been running since 2002. That’s roughly 20 years of running under my belt. I can honestly say that running is now a part of my life. It’s something that just naturally occurs throughout my day and is no longer something that I have to try and “find time for.” Running has brought on so many positive and negative aspects to my life. None that I would change. It has brought on lifelong friendships, great memories, bad memories, frustration, happiness, it has brought out the competitiveness in me to perform better each and every day, and it also brought me my lovely wife, Sabrina, and together, we had our wonderful son. Without running, my life would be completely different today. I run because I want to be an inspiration to my son, Myles. I run because it is a stress reliever. I run because it makes me feel strong. I run because it’s just what we do.
Favorite post run snack/meal? I always enjoy nice breakfast burrito after a nice run. Hanging out with friends while eating this breakfast burrito is an added plus. Oh yeah, you can’t forget the coffee!
Running Mantra:
-It’s just a hill, get over it.
-1 mile at a time
-Drive the knees
Occupation: I am a sports chiropractor, specializing in running injuries, and back pain.
Hometown: I was born in Whittier, California, and grew up in Norwalk, California.
What do you do for fun? I really enjoy going to brunch with my family and friends after a good run. I love spending time with my wife and son, and going on vacations.
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): No secret talents, but I do love me some dad jokes.
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? I am extremely excited to be the Marathon Coach for the Pasadena Pacers. Coaching gives me tremendous joy knowing that I am able to directly influence the lives of many people for the better. I really enjoy watching people succeed and accomplish goals that they never thought was possible for them. The human body is capable of amazing things if you allow it to grow, and if you have the right people around you to support that growth. I am excited to watch each and every one of you grow!