Fabienne Vonlanthen is only the second Swiss runner to have secured the Swiss championship titles in the 10 km, half marathon and marathon. This is particularly remarkable, as the 32-year-old only started running at the age of 25.

The path to running

I started running relatively late, at the age of 25. Other than school sports in sixth form, I was rarely physically active, at most going for walks with the family dog. When I decided to apply for the police academy in 2019, it was clear that a sports test would be required. I realised that I had to do something about my fitness so I bought running shoes and just started going for runs. I quickly enjoyed it, kept it up after passing the entrance exam and took part in my first competitions. I realised that I could not only keep up, but often placed close to the top. Since the end of 2020, I have been following a structured training plan. In autumn 2021, I celebrated my first Swiss title in the half marathon. More titles have come along since then and I have reduced my workload to focus more on training and recovery. What began with a fitness test is now the focus of my everyday life. My life now revolves around running.

2025 goals

2025 has already been a very special year for me. I never would have thought that I would win two Swiss championships, in the 10K and the marathon. The new records in the 10K and half marathon also make me incredibly happy. It feels nice to see how hard work pays off.

The focus for the rest of the year is on the Valencia Marathon. I want to significantly beat my personal best time there. Depending on how the marathon preparations go, I might participate in the Swiss Half-Marathon Championships. If I'm able to win another title there then that would be nice, but for me, a good race is always the priority.

Everyday training

My training is strongly based on what stage of the season I am in and what goal I am pursuing. In preparation for the marathon, I'll do a long run of at least 30 kilometres once a week or so. I also include one or two strength training sessions per week to strengthen the body and prevent injuries. I do intensive running sessions such as intervals or threshold training two to three times a week, and in between I do various endurance runs of different distances and speeds.

When I'm preparing for a half marathon or a 10K run, I abandon the very long runs, decrease the interval distances and run at a faster pace. As a welcome change and addition to running, I also like to ride my road bike.

Training volume

On average, I run about 120 to 140 kilometres a week. During intensive marathon preparations, this can sometimes be up to 180 kilometres. Overall, between my running sessions and alternative training, such as road cycling or strength training, I do around 12 to 18 hours of training per week.

Training philosophy

Better to train in a targeted and focused way than to accumulate kilometres without a plan.

It is particularly important to me to listen to my body. If I notice that I am tired or that I have minor ailments, I take it seriously. I then consciously take a break or adjust the session accordingly. Recovery and mental balance are just as important to me as intensive training. Only when both are in balance can I stay healthy in the long term and really achieve my potential.

Pace or feeling

I generally run based on feeling. I find it important to listen to my body and not constantly look at my times. Of course, pace plays an important role in structured training, such as during intervals or sprints. The watch helps me keep an eye on my targets. But even then, how my body feels ultimately decides how far I can push myself.

Marathon

For me, the marathon is definitely the supreme discipline in running - both physically and mentally. No other distance challenges me and fascinates me so much at the same time.

I love the preparation with all its ups and downs. It is this combination of perseverance, willpower, tactics and patience that makes the marathon my favourite distance. The feeling at the end, when everything has worked out, is hard to put into words.

Job

I have been working for the Schaffhausen Police Department since 2019. About two years ago, I reduced my workload to 40% in order to be able to invest more time and energy in running training, and above all in the necessary recovery. The shift work, especially the night shifts, was simply not ideal for my body, rhythm and recovery in the long run. I now work in police prevention. I provide general training and traffic training for all age groups, from pre-school to retirement age.

Recovery

Recovery is just as important to me as the training itself. I have massages or physiotherapy once or twice a week, do regular yoga or stretching exercises and ensure I get a good night's sleep. I also attach great importance to a balanced diet and try to give my body exactly what it needs at the right time.

Mental breaks are important to me too, for example going for a relaxing bike ride or spending time with family and friends. This rejuvenates me for the next training sessions.

My favourite training session

I really like sessions with speed variations, whether that’s intervals or long runs. The variety makes the training exciting and keeps me motivated. These intense sessions definitely challenge me but at the same time they are a lot of fun.

My strength

My body awareness is my greatest strength. I know exactly what my body needs, when I can push myself and when I should take a break. I've never had to take a break because of an injury before, and I hope that this will continue in the future. I'm also pretty stubborn: if I have set my mind on something, I will do my utmost to achieve it.

My weakness

I am often my biggest critic and sometimes quite hard on myself. In addition, I sometimes have the urge to make everything perfect, which can actually slow me down.

My recipe for success

Discipline, patience and, above all, enjoying the process are the keys to success for me. I love what I do, and it is precisely this passion that drives me to stay focused and structured with clear goals - even if there are setbacks.

Insider tip

Patience and continuity! Progress doesn't happen overnight, but through regular training - even on the days when you don't feel like it. If you stick to it, it pays off in the long term.

And very important: have fun with it, because that's the only way to stay really motivated.