New Flyer Profile: Laura M.

Hello all,

MAL here again with another New Flyer Profile. We have Laura M. this month, joining us recently from California. Laura has been running about 6 years, but that’s not her first venture into sports. For 12 years, she was a competitive artistic roller skater! She was a regional champion, a national champion and just missed qualifying for the Pan American Games. Both running and skating have allowed her to compete.

Her biggest running accomplishment comes from a PR at the Cowtown Marathon/Half-Marathon race in Sacramento last year, with a time of 1:57 in the half.

She joined the Flyers recently to meet other runners, find good running areas, and get motivation to train. She also would like to take on speed work! She’s enjoyed the dedication of our team and it has motivated her to keep attending. Everyone has been willing to help with all her “newbie” questions.

Laura loves watching all sports from golf to football to basketball. Her love of competing translates to a love of watching high stakes competitions as well. She likes to push herself and see what she can do!

“I think one of the most beautiful and inspiring things is to watch is someone performing at their highest level when they are under the most extreme mental pressure.”

In her non-running life, Laura is an Indian lawyer, working for Indian tribal rights. She is a part of the Pechanga Tribe of southern California. She worked to get a California law passed to preserve tribal sacred and religious sites. She’s also working on a book about present-day California Indians while she lives with us here in NYC.

Quick facts on Laura:

1. Favorite Quote: Go big or go home!

2. Training tip: Core, core core!!! Core strength can take you through fatigue and high mileage.

3. Best Advice Received: You will never achieve greatness by staying in your comfort zone.

4. Non-running hobbies: Yoga and Golf.

5. Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. “Simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them.” –Paulo Coelho

6. Best Vacation: Scotland and Ireland to see the Ryder Cup and golf at St. Andrews.

7. Worst Habit: Doubting herself – when she doesn’t, she is continually surprised by what is possible.

Laura also has an adorable dog named Mr. Noodles. He’s a pug, and food motivated (like Laura, or so she says.)
- Emily S., Member-at-Large