We were lucky to catch up with Lizette Marroquin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lizette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

I met Heather who works for lululemon through mutual friends. We would see each other at events and gatherings and we always greeted each other like we were friends for many years. In the beginning of 2023 Heather reached out to me about the run group I lead and lululemon having a joint event. Like a 5K. She asked for my email and said that she would be in touch. A few weeks went by and she asked if I could have a zoom meeting with her. During the meeting I took notes. She was speaking about the brand and how much they have changed and have real people represent them. I knew lululemon was a very popular brand as I wear the products for races and training. She then said “I want you to be our run ambassador for the store at The Grove.”
For her to choose me was not only an honor but the kindest thing anyone has ever done. Especially for a woman like me. Chicana. Divorced. Single mom with two adult kids. 46 years old.
I never saw myself as anyone but a mom that runs. Lululemon has been one of the greatest things that has happened in my life. I’m able to spread awareness on inclusivity in our community. This is all thanks to Heather.

Lizette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Running has been part of my life since I could remember. As young minds my father would take us to try different activities. We didn’t grow up with luxuries. We grew up with what we needed. So my dad would take us to the park and have us run around. He would bring his camera and take pictures of us. Something to calm the energy that all 4 and 6 year old kids have.
In school we did PE every day. Part of the acitivities were to run. We played dodge ball in middle school and of course you had to sprint around to avoid getting hit by the ball. We also had to run.
High school was a bit tougher because our track was all dirt. I attended Crenshaw high school in S. LA near Leimert park where we were raised.
On hot summer days the PE coaches made us run in the hot weather. The only other option was walk. In the dirt. I decided to run. In my converse.
In those years we weren’t allowed to join after school activities. We were to come home right away, help with the chores, help in the kitchen and have dinner with our mother. My father worked until late on week days. Immediately after dinner we had to do our homework. We didn’t have time to do anything other than what was needed.
Later on when I attended university I found that running was a form of self care. I was able to run on cal state la’s track and lose myself.
I did leave the sport for many years later until my daughter was 2 and took it up again and I have not stopped since.
Now I am lead captain for Latinos Run LA and I run Hoka Venice Run Club with a partner.
My proudest achievements have been to able to bring people of all races, paces and backgrounds together on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.
I’m proud of how we run our clubs. We have a different style and approach to running. We aren’t training clubs on these days. We are community based. When we say no one gets left behind, we mean just that.
We have strong runners setting the pace in front. We have middle leads setting the pace. We have sweepers. We go at everyone’s pace and everyone stays together. There’s never competition.
We also have a walking group. We have a lead for that group as well. They take a different and shorter route but in the middle of the run we come together.
In the end I make sure that we have hydration and snacks.
We have runners who come back every week. We have runners that drive out to us from an hour or more away.
This space that was created is safe. I want people to keep showing up and see that we are trying to make sure you’re running at your pace and safely. There is room and other days for growth on your pace if you’re training for races.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me are when people run what they thought they couldn’t. Or cross finish lines. Sometimes all you need are the right people in your circle. I’m not saying it’s me, I’m saying that it’s having the right energy and people like ourselves that help us feel confident. When someone says “I could never run a mile no less 3 miles because I’m Intimidated about others fast pace.” And see their success, then my heart is full.
I’m about reaching YOUR first goal in your journey. I will never push you. I will never get mad or upset at anyone.
We’ve all been injured and coming back from injuries is hard. We have to start almost from the first step.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The beginning of 2023 was very hard. I had two people I love dearly going through cancer battles. I had a 30k one Saturday that I was not ready for. I’ve ran longer distances but because of lack of sleep, nutrition and training I knew it was going to be a challenge.
My run partner agreed to pace me with the approval of the race director. We set out in 35 degree weather if I’m not mistaken. I was tired. And just not feeling it. This trail race has some climbs and I hiked those. The others I just remember telling myself to put one foot in front of the other and trot. I have asthma and used that inhaler more times than I’ve had the last couple of years. I heard that people doing the half were dropping to 10k and that people doing the 30k dropped to the half. All I kept saying was that if I reached my marks at a timely man er I would keep going. My partner kept telling me to eat but I can’t keep food down during long runs but I grabbed potato chips and clementines at some of the check in points. The sweeper caught up to me and I thought it was over. But he was so kind that he said I had plenty of time and paced with us. I could hear my partner and sweeper telling each other I should maybe stop. But I made a promise to myself and god and said that if I finished that meant that my sister was going to come out of her cancer battle. At home point maybe less than half a mile I was told I passed out. I remember seeing the finish line then nothing. After the race, I was told that I was fed clemtimes and gummies for energy. I hydrated and came back. I even had coconut water poured on my head. With the help of one of the race directors and Al and the sweeper I crossed that finish line. I was dead last but I did it. Then I ran a half marathon the next day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: robkaity
• Facebook: Lizette Annette Aguiñiga
• Yelp: Lizette M.

Image Credits
Stone Malick Natalie Rodriguez Keira Henninger