Our 2023 LA Marathon training season officially kicked off on Saturday, September 17! Over the past few weeks, we have introduced our awesome LA Marathon Pace Leaders as well as our Marathon Coach. We continue the series this week with Sandra and Kassia, our Pace Leaders for our 11:30 Minute Pace Group! Find out why they run and some fun facts that could spark a conversation during your next group run!
Name: Sandra Mendoza
Which group do you run with? I am a Pace Leader for Team 11:30, but sadly, I am on the injured list for the time being with a broken toe.
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? My sister, Irene, got me involved with the Pacers. I joined in April 2020.
How many marathons have you run? I’ve run 6 marathons, and I ran a half marathon every week in 2001!
Why do you run? I run because it makes me feel mentally and physically strong. I started running in the 8th grade. My brother bet me $5 that I couldn’t run 2 miles without stopping. HA! Never challenge me.
Favorite post run snack/meal? After our Saturday runs my sis and I head on over to Starbucks and get the spinach feta wrap.
Running Mantra: My saying is, “YOU GOT THIS!”
Occupation: I am a retired teacher but am now a recruiter for LA Conservation Corps.
Hometown: I am from Pacoima, CA and proud of it!
What do you do for fun? I run for fun!
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): I make some awesome chocolate chip cookies cuz I make them with LOVE!
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? I hope to be back out with my group in January (hopefully sooner!), better and stronger than ever!
Name: kassia krozser
Which group do you run with? marathon team 11:30 – 12:00 (still trying to come up with a snazzy name that reflects our combined efforts).
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? 6/2021 (physically), 3/9/2020 (mentally…planned to join the pacers after the la marathon; we all know how that went).
How many marathons have you run? 7, though i’ve trained for nine (missed one due to gallbladder surgery…apparently i was the first person to ever ask my surgeon his thoughts on post-surgery marathoning; second, well, i broke my elbow and lost a month of critical training. made up for it my forcing water, cola, and potato chips on any pacer i saw during the race! side note: volunteering for races is a great joy, and i recommend it to everyone, though you probably will cry with joy at some point, mine is inevitably the chair racers of all stripes).
Why do you run? mostly because i’m not very good at sports that require aiming, though i won “most improved player” on my softball team for 9 years in a row!
Favorite post run snack/meal? wine. oh, you mean food. french fries, or any sort of potato. or rice. i like rice a lot.
Running Mantra: look at that girl go (me, speaking to me in the third person — it makes sense in the moment).
Occupation: participations and residuals for a major motion picture studio. they don’t let me do math, for which the world is eternally grateful.
Hometown: born: beautiful downtown lompoc, california. current: pasadena, california.
What do you do for fun? in addition to annoying my husband — my eternal joy in life! — i cook a lot, i read a lot, i write a lot, i took up art framing during the pandemic because why not?, and i theoretically garden.
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): i have a really good sense of rhythm. i am thinking of taking up the triangle to play up to this strength. or maybe the tambourine.
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? i have a brain packed with useless information, which can be surfaced at weird moments and during long runs when the conversation gets…weird.