Real Rider of VRE: Meet Sarah

Efficiency in Motion

I had to Google what it means to be “Type A.” It’s a phrase you always hear, a label given to those who are competitive, overachievers, and pay attention to the minuscule details others quickly overlook. Google will actually tell you that the positive traits include self-control, motivation to achieve, and competitiveness.

"Type A for sure," I thought as I approached Sarah, who was mid-standing hamstring scoop on the train platform.

“Do you mind if we take a quick photo of you? We’re just trying to capture real VRE riders for our social media platforms,” I had asked. My associate and I had quickly learned that there was a wide range of reactions when asking to put a camera in someone’s face before the sun had risen.

“Sure!” Sarah had eagerly responded.

Her willingness was surprising, and I was grateful for it after receiving many hard no's. After snapping the photo that could belong in a Nike ad rather than a commuter rail service blog, Sarah talked about having ridden the VRE for two years now, enjoying a quiet ride with none of the nonsense you might encounter on the DMV metro rail. After inquiring more about her stretches she told us about her one-mile jog to the train station. She casually mentioned realizing the station was only a mile away and figured she could squeeze in a workout before her workday. And that’s how we found her, with an athletic focus etched into her expression, spending her time on the platform performing mobility stretches (Editor’s Note: "10 Best Stretches While Waiting for the 326").