40 min listen
Natalie Barlatier: Unwavering Commitment
ratings:
Length:
44 minutes
Released:
Dec 22, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Natalie Barlatier has a determination when it comes to her running that is truly remarkable. Barlatier discovered a love of track and field in her youth, but took a break from running when she entered college. She returned to the sport after being diagnosed with MS in her late 20s, and began to explore distance running. Barlatier worked her way up to marathons over time, and running has been an important part of maintaining her health: mental, physical, and emotional.
She has continued to run despite a major MS relapse, and she's returned to running after having her two children.
Barlatier has run nine marathons, but that's not without some notably unusual set-backs along the way, beginning with the first two marathons Barlatier trained for.
The first marathon was NYC 2012, which was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Next up, Boston 2013, the year of the bombing: Natalie was one of the many runners who was stopped just about a mile from the finish. This experience also resulted in lasting trauma that almost spelled an end to Barlatier's marathon ambitions.
Barlatier did finally reach the finish line of a marathon on her third try, and followed that up with several more marathons after that. Then came COVID, which put an end to Barlatier's training and plans for running the 2020 Boston Marathon, but she returned to run in 2021 and again in 2023, and most recently she completed the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Beyond her commitment to meeting her own running goals and serving as an example to others impacted by MS of what can be possible, as well as being a role model to her two young children, Barlatier has discovered the joy and strength of her local running community, in particular Black Girls Run.
Mentioned in this Episode
Black Unicorn Marathoners: https://www.blackunicornmarathoners.org/
Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
Instagram: @womensrunningstories
Twitter: @WomenRunStories
Website: womensrunningstories.com
Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com
Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/
Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/
Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list
She has continued to run despite a major MS relapse, and she's returned to running after having her two children.
Barlatier has run nine marathons, but that's not without some notably unusual set-backs along the way, beginning with the first two marathons Barlatier trained for.
The first marathon was NYC 2012, which was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Next up, Boston 2013, the year of the bombing: Natalie was one of the many runners who was stopped just about a mile from the finish. This experience also resulted in lasting trauma that almost spelled an end to Barlatier's marathon ambitions.
Barlatier did finally reach the finish line of a marathon on her third try, and followed that up with several more marathons after that. Then came COVID, which put an end to Barlatier's training and plans for running the 2020 Boston Marathon, but she returned to run in 2021 and again in 2023, and most recently she completed the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Beyond her commitment to meeting her own running goals and serving as an example to others impacted by MS of what can be possible, as well as being a role model to her two young children, Barlatier has discovered the joy and strength of her local running community, in particular Black Girls Run.
Mentioned in this Episode
Black Unicorn Marathoners: https://www.blackunicornmarathoners.org/
Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
Instagram: @womensrunningstories
Twitter: @WomenRunStories
Website: womensrunningstories.com
Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com
Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/
Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/
Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list
Released:
Dec 22, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Ann Ashworth + Comrades Marathon: What It Takes: South African Ann Ashworth had developed into a very good runner and had a passion for long-distance running, especially her country’s crown jewel, the 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon. Over time, she recognized that she just might have the talent and drive necessary to be among the top competitors at the race. This episode follows Ann’s journey of discovering competitive running in her youth all the way through to seizing her moment at Comrades in 2018. Ann’s story is one of hard work and dedication, overcoming and never, ever letting up. Through heartbreaking disappointment, painful injuries, and financial sacrifice, Ann remained firm in her focus to vie for the top spot at this race that she holds such deep passion for: “It’s not just a running race for me,” Ann says. “It’s a deeply spiritual experience, and it’s something that makes me feel insanely patriotic. It’s just an incredibly special race for me.” This episode is part of our by Women's Running Stories