Vanessa Fraser has shown that she is one of the most talented distance runners in the United States. Over the past couple of years, Fraser has experienced setbacks with injuries that she has had to overcome. Now healthy, she has adjusted her mentality, and is looking to get back to the basics and showcase her elite skill set on the track, and soon on the roads.
Hard work is not a foreign concept to Fraser, as it’s something that she prides herself on. She was a walk-on at the University of Stanford, and achieved great success during her time there. She was a seven-time All American in both cross-country and track and field combined, and earned multiple academic honors as well.
Fraser signed with Nike and ran for the Bowerman Track Club after graduating from Stanford, and found success running with the Club. She set personal bests in the 1500m (4:09.74), mile (4:37.33), indoor 3000m (8:53.11), indoor 5000m (14:48.51), and 10,000m (31:52.11).
In 2022, Vanessa left the Batch to move back to San Francisco, where she accepted a job at a venture capital firm where she currently works. Fraser said that moving to San Francisco and starting her new job has helped her as she looks to get back on track when it comes to running.
“My first year and a half or two years as a pro was so magical and I had the best time. And somewhere in there, I think I kind of lost a little bit of my joy for training and racing,” she said. “And so that’s what this whole move a year and a half ago was about – just trying to get that vibe back and that joy back.”
Fraser says that she benefits from more of a balanced atmosphere, where it’s not all consumed by running. While she and some of the other runners that she trains with are committed to their running goals, running is not always the all-consuming priority. Fraser said that she’s able to enjoy running, her work and all the things that the city has to offer.
“It’s honestly the perfect balance of everything where there’s a great running community here and people who are striving for very elite running goals. I think just the variety and access to running opportunities but also life opportunities just was the perfect combination for me.”
Fraser primarily invests in early stage software startups at the venture capital firm that she works at. She said that she’s always had great admiration and appreciation for entrepreneurs, because their journeys are similar to the journeys of runners. She said that she appreciates the dedication that it takes to be an entrepreneur, which makes the job a perfect fit for her.
“I think what the job allows me to do now is to just have some patience with my running. And I think when you’re able to be patient with your running, good things will happen.
Fraser made the decision to leave the Bowerman Track Club in 2022. She now runs with Team Boss, which is based in Boulder and is coached by Joe Bosshard. While Fraser is still based in San Francisco, she still joins the group during their various training camps. She credits Bosshard with how well he communicates with her, which has made for a smooth transition.
“I think it takes a very special coach that’s a great communicator, and has trust with the athlete to really make sort of a hybrid or remote coaching situation work well,” she said. “And I really found that with Joe. He is so on top of his texting game. He’s just instantly firing messages back and forth with me after every workout. I’m a great communicator, so that side of things works really well.”
Elise Cranny, who also runs for Team Boss, has been friends and teammates with Fraser since their days at Stanford. Cranny believes that Fraser’s energy and approach to the sport is one of the reasons that she’s poised for a breakout season. She credits Fraser for not letting any form of resistance stop her from pushing towards her goals that she’s set out for herself.
“Her approach is one of having nothing to lose and being excited to go see what she can do,” Cranny said. “She is focused on her own journey and building momentum toward her big dreams and goals on a daily basis. She has been through injury, disappointment and setbacks, but she has kept showing up and moving forward.”
Cranny thinks that the move to San Francisco has reinvigorated her running and life, and it will bode well for her success this season.
“As a friend, it has been inspiring to watch her take control of her life and pursuits,” Cranny said. “Her move to San Francisco has allowed her to create a life where she is happy and balanced not only in running, but in all aspects of her life. Also, she is a California girl through and through and is close to her family and support system.”
Fraser said that she thrives playing the role of the underdog, and she knows what she can bring to the table as a runner. While she’s shown flashes of greatness on the roads last season, which included her making her debut in the half-marathon and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, said that she will concentrate on the track this year, specifically in the 5000m, and she hopes to make a splash in the event.
She’s excited for the opportunity to find her rhythm on the track, and show why she’s one of the best at what she does.
“That’s what excites me the most is like, I’m getting my groove back, I am excited to feel like myself on the track again, race like myself on the track again, like, it’s been a minute that I’ve kind of really hit that sweet spot. And that excites me the most.”
