What Support Looks Like: Louie De Leon and Carol Peralta

For the release of Structure Plus, Nike's new stability shoe, we've been thinking about support and what that means to us as runners and community members. Anyone who has met Louie De Leon and Carol Peralta knows how supportive they are of each other, and of their community. We tasked Rodney Campos, photographer, LA community member, and staff member, with exploring support—what it looks like, and what it feels like. Rodney followed Louie and Carol out for their morning run in the Structure Plus, and asked them about the importance of being supported and supporting others. Here's what they had to say. 

How would you define support?

Louie: Support is having someone by your side no matter where you are in your goals. It’s a mix of encouragement, accountability, and understanding that keeps you moving, especially on days when motivation is low. Support means knowing there’s always someone you can turn to.

Carol: Support is an act of care that uplifts, protects, or sustains someone without placing additional demands on them.

Where do you find support when you’re marathon training?

Louie: I find support in a few places. First and foremost, in the daily support from my partner, who deals with the ups and downs of training with me every day. I also find support at GVTC, training alongside teammates who are running similar paces, share common goals, and are aligned on the plan for the next race.

Carol: The run community, my mom, and nature.

As a member of Good Vibes Track Club, how does the crew support its runners?

Louie: GVTC offers support through shared energy and consistency. They offer a tried and tested plan.  There’s always someone great to run with, push through tough miles together, and share the journey no matter the day.

Carol: Support in GVTC shows up from both the captains and the runners alike. Our captains are incredibly thoughtful and do so much work to ensure that our sessions are organized and mindful of folks we share space with. Seasoned runners support new runners by being welcoming and pacing, allowing them to focus on just their workout and building confidence. Team members who are on a break often volunteer at water stations during long runs. On any given workout, there are always words of encouragement coming at you from folks who may never run next to. Other times the support is a focused silence, but it’s still felt when you’re packed up with folks who you want to see accomplish their goals and you know feel the same. Everyone’s dedication to showing up, however it might look on any given day, sets an incredible foundation for doing hard things together.

How do you support each other during training?

Louie: We support each other by being honest about how we’re feeling. On both good days and hard days, we share every step and constantly remind each other to trust the process. And of course, we never skip celebrating tough days with plenty of treats! 

Carol: We listen to each other’s splits, we validate our self doubts with kindness and playfulness, and we see each other's training as a shared goal.