Who is Bree Lambert-Sanders? - Live Well Finish Strong

Who is
Bree Lambert?

Welcome! I’m Bree Lambert-Sanders, a personal trainer, running coach, nutritionist and ultra runner

Welcome! I’m Bree Lambert-Sanders, a personal trainer, running coach, nutritionist and ultra runner. I live in the South Bay Area of Northern California with my husband Joe, daughter Summer Blu and four cats-Gianni, Enzo, Zoey and Leo (yes, I also think this is too many cats). I’ve been pursuing endurance sports since my teenage years, starting with road triathlon, Xterra off-road triathlon and now ultrarunning.

Below, I have answered some of the common questions I get about myself and my coaching.

1) How did Bree start competing in endurance sports?

At the age of 21, I started competing as an endurance athlete. My first event was The Danskin Women’s Triathlon in San Jose, CA. Before I competed in this event, the only race I had ever completed in was a 20-mile-long charity road ride when I was 16 years old.

2) What’s your favorite thing about running ultra-distance races?

What I love most is immersing myself in the beauty of the landscape. Even though I’m focused on the race—sometimes tuning everything out as fatigue sets in—there are always moments when I look up and take it all in. Being surrounded by nature, with all my senses heightened, is an incredible feeling. It’s those moments of connection with the environment that make the effort truly worthwhile.

3) Does your husband run, compete?

Yes, my husband, Joe Sanders, has a rich background in endurance sports—he’s actually been competing much longer than I have. He’s a former professional duathlete and triathlete, with a wealth of experience from his years of racing. Joe started running at the age of 12, and his knowledge and perspective are invaluable to me. I really respect his insight, especially when I’m looking for advice on my own training and development.

4) How do you balance training, work life and family?

That’s a great question—and honestly, it’s not always easy. I live in a fast-paced area, and with how quickly the world moves these days, I think it’s more important than ever to strike a balance between self-care and family care. Training and competing are both important to me, but never at the expense of my well-being or my family’s.

At the end of the day, performing well and winning races doesn’t mean much if your relationships or your health are suffering. True success, for me, is finding harmony between my athletic goals, my work, and the people I love.

5) What do you enjoy about coaching others?

What I enjoy most about coaching is witnessing my clients’ progress firsthand. When someone comes to me eager to become a better runner or improve their overall health, I’m completely invested in their journey. My motivation for getting into fitness training and performance coaching has always been to help people enhance their lives through wellness. That’s why my mantra is “Live Well. Finish Strong.”—it perfectly captures my commitment to supporting others as they grow, achieve their goals, and ultimately thrive.

6) Can you share a memorable moment from one of your races?

One of my most unforgettable experiences was running the Western States 100 in 2013. It’s truly the most iconic ultramarathon, and being a part of it was incredible. I’ll never forget running out of Foresthill at sunrise and pushing through to finish on the track in under 24 hours, earning the coveted silver belt buckle. Crossing that finish line and sharing the moment with my family was pure magic—a feeling of accomplishment that will always stay with me.

7) What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from competing in endurance events?

The greatest lesson endurance sports have taught me is to take everything one step at a time. Staying present, tuning in to my breathing, and being mindful of what my body needs—especially during the longer races—has been essential. It’s about embracing the process and remaining focused on the moment.

8) What advice would you give to someone just starting out in endurance sports?

My advice would be to first understand what kind of athlete you want to become. Ask yourself if you truly have the time and commitment for the demands of endurance sports, especially the longer events. Are you aiming to push your limits, or are you simply looking to finish and collect medals? Endurance sports require dedication to the training process—not everyone is ready or able to make that commitment, and that’s perfectly okay. What matters is knowing your goals and being honest with yourself from the outset.

9) How do you define success—both as an athlete and as a coach?

As an athlete, I define success by my long-term commitment to the sport. Over more than two decades in ultrarunning, I’ve achieved strong results and, most importantly, maintained my health and avoided major injuries. For me, longevity and consistency have been the ultimate victories.

As a coach, success is about helping each individual athlete reach their potential. When someone trusts me to guide them—to identify their weaknesses and transform them into strengths—I consider it a privilege. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; every athlete is unique. When my athletes achieve their goals, their success is my greatest reward. I’m honored every time someone chooses me as their coach, and I’m committed to supporting them every step of the way.

To those who have been pounding the dirt for decades or more, I salute you and invite you to comment, laugh along at my stories and even contribute to my Blog/ Catch the Breez. Whoever you are, WELCOME!

Thank you for visiting my site. You can also follow me @catchthebreez , as I encourage you and others to Live Well. Finish Strong.

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Athletic Achievements

Nominated FCA Bay Area Pro Athlete of 2019
2016 USATF Female Masters Ultra Runner of the Year (Mountain Division)
2016 USATF 50km Female Masters Trail Champion
2016 2nd Overall Female, Sean O’Brien 50 mile
2016 2nd Overall Female, PA USATF Grand Prix Ultra/Miwok 100k
2016 3rd Overall Female and 1st Female Masters Champion, TRT 50mile
2015 14th Female/2nd Female Masters/Leadville Trail 100
2015 2nd Overall Female/ PA USATF Grand Prix Ultra/Miwok 100k
2015 Top 5 Female/Gorge Waterfalls 100k
2015 1st Overall Female/ Sean O’Brian 50k
2014, 1st Female, Age Division Champion, USATF 50mile National Trail Championship, Ithaca, NY
2014, 2nd Female Overall, Pacific USATF Miwok 100k

2013, 3rd AG, 15th Female, Western States 100 mile
2013, 1st Female, PAUSATF Grand Prix Ultra Series, Quicksilver 50km
2012, 4th Female, USATF/Montrail Ultracup National 100km Champion, Bandera
2012, 1st Female, PAUSATF Grand Prix Ultra Series, Whiskeytown 50km
2012, 2nd Female, PAUSATF Grand Prix Ultra Series, Ohlone 50km
2012, 2nd Female, PAUSATF Grand Prix Ultra Series,Tamalpa Headlands 50km
2011, 2nd Female Masters, Pacific Assocation USATF, Grand Prix Ultra Racing Series
2011, 1st Female Champion, RRCA Tahoe Rim 100 mile National Trail Championship
2011, 1st Female, PAUSATF Grand Prix Ultra Series, Quicksilver 50 mile
2010, 1st Female, PAUSATF, Rio Del Lago 100 mile