DONNA AN
RUNVAN® AMBASSADORMEET OUR AMBASSADORS
Donna An
Meet Donna, the Marketing Director, and one of the founders of the Lapower running team, the largest Chinese running club in the Lower Mainland with over 1130 active members.
Donna started running in 2014, and is now more focused on organizing social runs to help bring more people into running and help others to get into healthy lifestyles and happy minds. Donna has ran the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon a few times, and has also helped with greeting and translations for the oversea runners from China.
Interview
Take us back to your first RUNVAN® event. What was it like? How long ago was it? What do you think has changed since then?
My first race was back in 2015, the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon. It was the first half marathon for me. I found it was very challenge and felt amazing when I crossed my finishing line. I started to formalize the Lapower running club after the race, and helped more runners to join the race since 2016.
Name a few of your favourite places to run in Vancouver. Why do they stand out for you?
I like to run around Yaletown area and Stanley Park Seawall; it was amazing to enjoy such long coastline with no traffic lights and great views. I still enjoy every moment when I run that route even though I’ve ran it over 100 times.
Running is a great way to see the world. Of all the places you’ve traveled to, which was your favourite spot to run in and why?
Travelling and running has become my routine; especially because I met my husband from running so we now travel together and run together. We love running races from different cities; it is a great way to explore a new place and meet people.
What is your pre-race routine?
I usually train up for any races with a combination of easy run, interval run, and LSD run. And focus on my nutrition to make sure my body gets ready for races. I will take the week before race easy and have nice pasta as dinner before the race day.
Pay it forward: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about running?
Running is never only a physical sport; it is always about how strong your mind is. Take energy from the sun, nature, people around and believe in yourself can take you toward your goal. I am not a fast runner, but I am a very serious runner :).