Driven by heart: How Alyssa Armendariz and O.D. Running Club are building community one mile at a time
YORBA LINDA, Calif. — What started as an effort to bond with her sister turned into a lifelong passion that would define Alyssa Armendariz鈥檚 future. Today, this accomplished athlete and eight-time All-American is using her hard-earned experience to create something special for the Yorba Linda community: a running club where everyone belongs, from seasoned marathoners to first-timers just lacing up their shoes.
Alyssa鈥檚 journey into running began somewhat unexpectedly. 鈥淚 wanted to spend more time with my sister during her senior year of high school, so I joined the cross country team with her,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏ut right before the season started, she had to quit. I wanted to quit too, but my mom didn鈥檛 let me.鈥� That decision would set Alyssa on a new path. Though she initially felt out of place, her coach saw something in her and nurtured her talent. When medals started rolling in, running transformed from a reluctant commitment into a passion fueled by perseverance and potential.
She eventually competed at the University of Saint Mary in Kansas, where her coach encouraged her to try marathon running. 鈥淎t first I thought, absolutely not,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淏ut then I ran one鈥攁nd finished runner-up at the national meet. That鈥檚 when I knew I had found my event.鈥�
Over the years, Alyssa racked up an impressive list of accomplishments: eight-time All-American, 鈥淔emale Athlete of the Meet鈥� two years in a row, and top placements in everything from the 3K indoor to the steeplechase and marathon. But her road wasn鈥檛 without challenges. A torn ACL at age 15 kept her sidelined for six months, and the loss of her grandmother during college took a deep emotional toll. 鈥淚 had to ask myself if competing was worth missing a chance to say goodbye,鈥� she says. 鈥淎fter she passed, I dropped out of my events. Then I spent all summer training for a comeback鈥攁nd I did it.鈥�
Now, Alyssa is sharing that same resilience and love for the sport through her community project: O.D. Running Club, based right here in Yorba Linda. O.D. stands for Obsessive Drive, a nod to the determination that defines runners of all kinds鈥攏ot just the fastest or the most experienced.
鈥淚 created this club to break away from the pressure and competitiveness that can sometimes take the joy out of running,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his club is for everyone鈥攅very age, pace, and personality. Whether you鈥檝e run a dozen marathons or are training for your first 5K, we welcome you.鈥�
The club meets every Sunday at 6:30 a.m., with routes rotating weekly across Yorba Linda鈥檚 beautiful trails鈥攆rom neighborhood paths and hilly overlooks to the lakebed and Yorba Regional Park. A typical session includes group stretching, socializing, a well-planned run (with a max distance of around four miles), and post-run snacks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about more than miles,鈥� Alyssa emphasizes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about connection, consistency, and having fun.鈥�
That sense of connection has already made an impact. One club member鈥攚ho had only recently started running鈥攚as training for her second marathon when her coach could no longer assist. Alyssa stepped in with a two-week custom plan, complete with pacing guidance, fueling strategy, and mileage tracking. The result? A 17-minute personal record at the LA Marathon.
In addition to weekly runs, O.D. Running Club encourages members to sign up for local races like the OC Marathon and the Nixon Title IX 5K, both of which have become part of the club鈥檚 seasonal goals. 鈥淭hese events are a way to push yourself and be part of something bigger,鈥� says Alyssa.
What truly sets the club apart is its mission: to create a space where people feel empowered, supported, and inspired鈥攐n and off the trail. 鈥淩unning has taught me so much about who I am,鈥� she says. 鈥淣ow I get to give that back.鈥�
Alyssa credits much of her personal strength to the support of her mom, who often bikes alongside her during long training runs. That kind of encouragement is exactly what she hopes to cultivate for others through O.D. Running Club.
If you ask her what she wants the community to know most, her answer is simple but heartfelt:
鈥淥.D. Run Club isn鈥檛 just about running鈥攊t鈥檚 about building a family. Whether you show up with speed or just with heart, you belong here.鈥�
Join O.D. Running Club
Sunday runs at 6:30 a.m. (locations vary weekly)
Instagram & Facebook: @o.d.runclub
Website:
Runs are free to join; training plans and email signups available online
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