Getting to know M2M Athlete Sarah Nathanson
In our next edition of our M2M Athlete Profile series we sat down with M2M Athlete Sarah Nathanson to get to know her better and her journey into running. Sarah has been an active member of our Tuesday Night Workouts in Vancouver led by Coach Laurel.
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a mom to two boys in grades 1 and 2, a wife, a lawyer, a runner, and a cyclist. Basically in that order! I love to be active with my family, we have a Labrador retriever who is 14 months old and 55lbs of mischief, so we run her in Pacific Spirit Park a LOT.
Running can be done anywhere, anytime. So, it’s super versatile. However, it’s also something you can do more than once a week with friends and you can make amazing connections.
When & Why did you get into running?
I started running in law school. I don’t recall why, but I do remember trying it out and lasting 17 seconds. That was humbling. Then I signed up for a Half Marathon Clinic with the Running Room in Victoria. The half marathon itself was terrible – I remember crying my way through the aid stations, apologizing to the volunteers for my poor performance. But for some reason I kept it up and now I can happily report I’m able to finish a half marathon without breaking down in tears.
How do you fit running into your busy/full lifestyle?
Running can be done anywhere, anytime. So, it’s super versatile. However, it’s also something you can do more than once a week with friends and you can make amazing connections. You can’t really do that with any other activity except maybe cycling. You can only go for brunch or drinks every so often. And, if you have scheduled a couple of weekly run times with an amazing group of girlfriends, pro tip, it’s hard for your partner/husband/wife to say no to that!
What was the motivator to join Mile2Marathon?
I run with an incredible group of women I met through Vancouver Running Company. Some of us did a “Women in Flight” clinic with them, and also their Unclinics for Seawheeze. We’re not your typical speedsters of M2M. So, when one of us heard about the new Tuesday night track session for newbies, we signed up. I’d never run track before. On a good night I feel like I’m 18 again, flying through the air. Right before COVID hit I signed up for coaching to just try and see where I could go. Last week I ran a 10km PB and even though I was still one of the last to cross the line I felt great.
A few fun additional Q & A’s…
Who is the person that inspires you in running, sport or life?
I grew up in a very small logging town, population about 2000, in the interior. My mom was a runner, one of maybe two or three in the entire town I think. She would run marathons, and her training meant she had to run along the Trans Canada Highway. My Dad would drive out and drop water bottles on the side of the road for her. At that time I had no idea the significance of this. When you’re 6 years old and your Mom goes running, it’s just part of everyday life. And then when she was about 35 she started limping. Two years later she got a hip replacement. She hasn’t been able to run since but she can still demolish me on skate skis!
Where to next/What’s your big goal currently?
I might be researching marathon routes most likely to help you get a BQ … But that’s a bit of a pipe dream. I’d love to ride the Whistler Gran Fondo in under four hours next year. My running fitness has given me a big boost on the bike. For running, I’d like to just increase my ‘comfortable run’ pace and distance. Work on those foundational miles to keep fit.
Favourite quote
“I’m speaking.” – Kamala Harris
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All photos courtesy of @heyandywhite / andywhite.ca