You know those offhand comments someone makes that stick with you long afterwards? The ones you carry with you for years, maybe even decades? Well, East Nasty is really lucky that this week’s ENOW decided to let go of one of the comments that stuck with her, and start running. I’m happy to introduce you to Kathleen Donais. Oh and her mom told her she ran like a chicken when she was a kid.

Kathleen with her husband, Aaron at the 2013 Tomato Fest 5k

Kathleen grew up in the city of London in Ontario, Canada and moved to Tennessee when she was 19. She has a bachelor’s degree and Masters of Nursing from the University of Alabama Huntsville. She is now an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Vanderbilt in the Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma.

I love to hear stories about runners who only a handful of years ago had never even put foot to pavement, and yet now have accomplished so much. Kathleen is one of those runners. She has completed several half marathons and other races, and yet it was only three years ago she even considered running (mother had said she ran like a chicken). Kathleen started by walking the three mile Vandy loop, and eventually built up to walk/runs and then full out running. And was surprised to learn she actually enjoyed it!

Kathleen celebrating with the girl she coached as a part of Girls on the Run

Kathleen has accumulated four Mt. Nasty stickers and hasn’t missed a Nasty run since she started running with us over a year ago! Kathleen, I’ve been running with East Nasty for going on six years and I’ve missed many a Nasty run. I am in awe of your commitment to the hardest run we do. I hereby nominate you for Queen of Mt. Nasty.

Kathleen (far left) getting her party on after the 2013 Country Music Half Marathon