Alameda 10 Miler Ambassadors - Oakland Running Festival

Meet Diane!

I’m Diane. A mature runner for 30yrs now! I started running when I first moved to NYC – I wanted to meet new people and not just in bars! I joined Front Runners New York and before I knew it was training for the New York City Marathon. Of the 5 marathons completed (Boston x 2, Marine Corps, Nike SF Women’s) this was my favorite. Most people in my neighborhood know me as ‘Coach Diane’. I coach at my local middle school the Cross-Country program along with the middle-distance athletes at Track & Field. Unfortunately, with no school this past year there was no official school programs. Parents reached out to me and since Sept. I have been coaching a group of children to run 5K/10K virtually. We’ve all had a blast. For myself during this pandemic I along with a couple of friends decided to run a virtual half marathon each month – it’s been a wonderful relief having something to train for. Our courses having taken us to Pinole, Hercules (waterfront) & the Lafayette/Moraga trails.

I enjoy exploring the trails and neighborhoods of Contra Costa County. Must say my preference is road as my sense of direction on the trails isn’t so good! In the past I have travelled to various cities running races where I travel when possible. The furthest I’ve travelled was to Liverpool, UK for the Rock n Roll half marathon there. Next year with my girlfriends we hope to travel to Croatia to run the Dubrovnik half marathon.

I’m looking forward to the inaugural Alameda 10 miler – the stunning views of the bay will complement the course.

Fast Facts with Diane

Favorite Running shoe: Actually, I have two! The Brooks GTS Adrenaline & the Mizuno Wave Inspire. I have a neuroma in one foot & these two styles have allowed me to run longer distances without pain.

Favorite park/trail: I enjoy running from my home along the Lafayette/Moraga trail – through downtown and up to the Lafayette Reservoir. One loop will give me 7 miles roundtrip and will add another loop to make a 10-mile run. It’s very scenic around the reservoir with people fishing/boating etc.

Favorite post run food: I’ve been running a virtual half marathon every month since last April with my lady friends. We always have a potluck, champagne/mimosa brunch in one of our gardens after. I’m always excited to see what offerings the other ladies bring. Otherwise, when running by myself it’s a cup of tea with a sugary blueberry muffin!

Music or no music: Always singing in my head – does that count!

Pre-Run ritual: half a banana/chews to eat. Right before running it’s all about getting the legs/glutes fired up and I have a few favorite leg-swinging warmups I do.

Best motivation when it gets tough: I have a friend who’s about to turn 62 yrs. and is just an amazing runner with the perfect mindset. I think if she is running well & not thinking about giving up I most certainly can. Plus, I’m just grateful to be running healthy at my age – it’s not about my pace anymore but the thought of starting & finishing in one piece!

Meet Dominique!

Dominique King is a long-distance WOC trail runner based out of the bay area. Her pronouns are she/her. Dominique’s passion is working within the community to create more accessibility and diversity to the sport of running. Most days you can find her running one of the many trails located around the bay area with her four-legged best friend Storm. Fridays are dedicated to running with her husband Kenneth. When she is not running or working within her community Dominique, is spending time with her husband, three children, and working towards her educational goal of being a clinical psychologist. Dominique’s strong sense of community, family, health, and living an authentic and meaningful life is her driving force. She is excited to join Oakland Marathoner’s Hype Team. She leaves everything that she does with two things. Find your dirt and connect but more importantly be well; you are worthy.

Meet Matt!

My name is Matt Lissak. I am a distance runner, born and bred in the heat of Texas. I am all about the grind and thrive on competition. While running is my primary sport these days, I have a passion for all sports and grew up playing soccer, football, and basketball. Ironically, for much of my youth, I hated running and it was viewed as a form of punishment. It wasn’t until after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin that I participated in my first endurance effort, the 2013 Ironman Austin 70.3. The half marathon at the end was the longest distance I had ever run and it was a distance I was confident I would never feel the need to run again… Things changed after seeing my sister finish at Boston in 2013, the year of the bombing. After witnessing first hand the heartache and joy of that day’s effort, it was clear that the running community was one that I needed to belong to and Boston was a race that I needed to run someday. Since then I have run fourteen marathons, two 50k races, and qualified for Boston. I moved to the California in 2017 and instantly fell in love with Oakland and the Bay Area. While living in here my passion for running and community has been amplified by the organizations I have been fortunate enough to be involved in: Running for a Better Oakland, Oakland Track Club, and East Bay Beer Runners. While different, these organizations all share a love for community and have been instrumental in shaping my own running persona. You can find me getting lost on the trails or getting lost in thought running loops around Lake Merritt. I am slated for three marathons later this year and cannot wait to be back with the greater running/race community.

Meet Adrian!

My name is Adrian Paul and I was born in Guyana and grew up in Brooklyn. I first started running track & field and eventually cross country in high school. I have a BA in Psychology & Sociology as well as a MA in Forensic Psychology. It wasn’t until 2012 that I ran my first half-marathon in Napa, CA with Team Challenge then 2013 my first marathon in Las Vegas. During the summer of 2015 I left my job and moved to California. During my time I’ve became involved in a few running groups and organizations: East Bay Beer Runners, Oakland Track Club & RBO, November Project Oakland, Run Local. I’ve accumulated 50 half marathons, 17 full marathons & 1 50k I was training for the Miwok 100k but it was cancelled due to COVID. I am becoming more of a trail runner as oppose to road I as I find it very therapeutic. In many of my races you can find me wearing my Guyana flag because I love where I am from.

Hello All, my name is Adrian Paul and I am part of the Hype Team for Alameda 10 miler. I am also part of Oakland Track Club, East Bay Beer Runners, & RBO. My favored running shoe varies on the terrain. I’ll give my choices below: