Runner Interview: Sarah Eriksson

• Location: Tibro, Sweden and Lanzarote, Canary Islands

When and why did you start running?

After being pregnant two times directly after each other I missed the feeling of active. Running was easy to combine with a windsurfing husband and two toddlers. Out the door and off you go!

My intention when I got back into running was to road run, so I gave it 6 weeks and by “accident” a friend signed me up for a 13k trail race. I came second, fell madly in love and the rest is history.

Describe your ideal race or adventure challenge

My ideal race is a downhill, technical trail in a warm and dry climate. Preferably ocean trails and if it is on volcanic rocks, even better. That is why I love Lanzarote and the Canary Islands! Anything from a half marathon to 45k.

Tell us about your favourite trail

Being a mom and limited time for trail running I am happy to just get outdoors and be active. Swedish trails are so different, challenging for other reasons. The views don’t give me the same wow as Lanzarote, but being ON a trail gives me wow.

…a friend signed me up for a 13k trail race. I came second, fell madly in love and the rest is history.

What has been your biggest running / adventure challenge to date?

My ROAD TO AN ULTRA 100k. I invented my own race, did it for a cause and ran solo. It was an amazing experience, but even more the 24 training weeks up to the race. Running is the easy part! I learned how important it is to celebrate arriving at starting lines. We often are so focused on the goal that we forget to enjoy the journey… Training for an ultra is a journey on its own. Before you know it, it’s over and you wonder: – Where did the time go?

Road to an Ultra article – by Sarah Eriksson

Tell us about your greatest running fail, we’ve all had – or will have – them at some point!

A night trail run in La Palma. I am not so good at running in the dark. It was 20 something kilometers. I ran 4k, was so scared and tense. The headlamp made me feel sick and I got a migraine. I walked my way in the dark, crying most of the time to the finish line and came last.

What advice would you give to a new trail runner?

Just go! Have fun! Walk when you have to. The trail running experience is about getting outside and being active, not how fast, how far or where you run. You don’t need all the gadgets to enjoy, save them for motivation further down the line.

What is your favourite bit of running kit, and why?

A running skirt, or shorts – preferably from www.powerwoman.com. I also love to wear sleeves – no matter where you run the climate can vary from start to finish. Sleeves are great to roll up or down, depending on the weather.

Just go! Have fun! Walk when you have to. The trail running experience is about getting outside and being active, not how fast, how far or where you run.

What challenges / races / adventures are you planning for the coming year?

Transgrancanaria 42k in March.

I am curious of entering the Xterra world… lets see. A dream would be to do a multistage race, in a warm climate.

Whats your favourite running/adventure book, and which songs keep you going when things get tough?

My Favourite running book is: The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances.

Birdsong keeps me going!

Finally, What do you get up to when you’re not running or adventuring?

I am a mother of two boys age 6 & 7, married to Johan and have my own coaching business. Running is the easy part… 😉

Thank you for taking the time to be Interviewed Sarah, happy trails!

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