“If you’re putting on your shoes and going out for a run, you are a runner—you are in that club.” Whether you are aiming for a sub-three-hour marathon or simply trying to run one mile without stopping, the feeling of being an "imposter" is a hurdle we all face. From elite athletes to beginners, self-doubt doesn’t discriminate. In this post, Coach Kelly opens up about her own 13-year journey through fitness industry gatekeeping, public speaking fears, and the realization that there is no such thing as imposter syndrome when you are out there to impress yourself first.

I was on my run commute home from Back Bay, bundled in a puffy jacket and a heavy backpack, when a pack of runners blew past me. They were decked out in the latest carbon-plated shoes, but they were gasping for air and looking—honestly—miserable. It was a stark reminder of a mistake I see too often: running 'easy' days way too fast. In this post, we’re ditching the watch and diving into the RPE scale. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your tenth marathon, it’s time to master the skill of tuning into your body. Remember: you have to slow down to speed up.

For the first time in almost 18 years of running, I took a much-needed break from fall racing this past season. The short answer is yes, I skipped a marathon. The long answer involves a lot of guilt, a lot of soul-searching, and ultimately, a lot of mental and physical relief. If you’re feeling tired, run down, or just need to get your head back in the game, it might be time for a reset. Remember: running is supposed to be fun.

As 2025 comes to a close, our social feeds are flooded with annual wrap-ups, "legend" titles, and massive mileage totals. But do those calculated stats really capture the heart of your running journey? In this final post of the year, I’m putting the data aside to propose a different kind of year-end review. Instead of focusing on total elevation or days active, let’s look at the benchmarks that truly matter: the favorite miles ran with loved ones, the gratitude for movement, and the courage to take rest days. Here is how I am rewriting my 2025 running report—and why you should too.

Do your daily miles feel like Groundhog Day? We’ve all been there: running the same loop, seeing the same dogs, and battling the same burnout. While routine is reliable, it rarely sparks joy. In this post, I share how I broke out of my running rut by embracing "destination running." From run-commuting to Barry’s to planning an entire route around a specific jar of mustard in Buffalo, find out how turning your run into an adventure (or an errand run!) can reignite your love for the sport.

The year was 2018, and I was lying face-down on a hotel bed in Midtown Manhattan, convinced I was a failure. After a grueling training cycle and high hopes for a 2:55 PR at the NYC Marathon, I had crossed the finish line nearly 30 minutes off my goal. I was ready to wallow in self-pity until my wife said seven words that completely shifted my perspective on running, racing, and self-worth. Here is the story of how a "bad" race taught me that the numbers on the clock matter far less than the courage it takes to finish.

Balancing holiday festivities with a strict marathon training schedule can be a nightmare for routine-lovers. In this post, Coach Kelly shares four essential steps to conquer holiday running stress, urging runners to embrace flexibility, adjust expectations, and prioritize enjoyment alongside their miles. Learn how to maintain your fitness without letting the season derail your journey.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m taking a moment to share some gratitude. Thank you to every reader who visits the KJWC Run Club blog, sends ideas, and reminds me why I love writing about this sport. Thank you to my coaching clients for trusting me with your goals—you inspire me daily. And thank you to my own legs for every mile that keeps me grounded and grateful. Finally, a huge shoutout to my friend Chen for bringing this website and blog to life. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday—and maybe skip the carbon-plated shoes for the turkey trot!

Winter has officially arrived in the Northeast, bringing freezing temps, early sunsets, and that dreaded mid-afternoon darkness. As runners swap fall’s cool breeze for icy sidewalks and extra layers, the age-old question returns: Is it better to train outside or stick to the treadmill during the winter months? While I personally struggle with cold-weather running (hello, terrible circulation), I’ve come to rely on treadmill miles for safety, warmth, and consistency—especially when black ice and pitch-dark mornings enter the picture. Yet winter outdoor running has benefits too, from boosting calorie burn to improving mood. Whether you choose the fresh air or the climate-controlled tread, the best option is the one that keeps you motivated, safe, and happy all season long.

When a Wall Street Journal article titled, “I Decided to Run a Marathon. Then I Did Something Crazier. I Let ChatGPT Be My Coach” landed in her inbox, Coach Kelly couldn’t help but smile—and roll her eyes. As someone who proudly clings to her flip phone era roots, she’s skeptical of letting artificial intelligence dictate something as personal and unpredictable as marathon training. While AI tools may promise efficiency, she argues they lack what truly makes coaching powerful: empathy, adaptability, and human connection. From navigating injuries and missed workouts to celebrating the emotional highs of race day, Coach Kelly reminds runners that running isn’t just about data or pace charts—it’s about joy, grit, and the human experience behind every mile.

Running is a constant cycle of trial and error, and even seasoned runners make mistakes—from skipping taper and ignoring race-day plans to improper fueling and brand-new gear disasters. Each race teaches something new: trust the process, fuel strategically, start conservatively, and test everything beforehand. Most importantly, remember the joy of running—enjoy the course, hug your people, and celebrate the fact that you’re doing something incredibly hard. No finish time can replace the pride in showing up and growing through the sport.

Running is one of the most accessible sports in the world—but that same accessibility can sometimes lead runners into injury or burnout. Coach Kelly shares her transition into the “slow and strong” era of her running journey, emphasizing the importance of personalized coaching, gait analysis, and strength training for longevity in the sport. With insights from Dr. Nyssa Midden of Flowstate Physiotherapy, she explores how small misalignments can have long-term impacts and why runners of all levels should invest in learning how their bodies move. Because while running fast is great, running healthy, strong, and for the long haul is even better.

Running can be both a deeply social and deeply personal sport—and for me, it’s been a journey of learning when to share the miles and when to keep them to myself. From founding run clubs to stepping away from them entirely, I’ve realized that community and solitude can coexist in this sport. You don’t have to chase paces, group runs, or social validation to call yourself a runner. Whether you thrive on the energy of a crowd or the peace of a solo trail, the most important thing is finding your own rhythm—and remembering that running for yourself is more than enough.

In a sea of cookie-cutter marathon plans and running apps, one crucial element remains missing from most routines: strength training. Early in my running journey, I followed the typical mileage-heavy, strength-light plans available online—until HIIT-style workouts like Barry’s Bootcamp helped me discover the transformative balance between running and lifting. Strength work doesn’t just prevent injuries—it helps you run faster, improves coordination, and boosts efficiency. From glute bridges and planks to pushups and squats, building strength across your entire body supports better posture, more power, and longer endurance. Runners are athletes, not just mileage machines—and it’s time training plans reflected that.

As the Chicago Marathon approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my own journey with this iconic World Major. From my first Boston Qualifier in 2015 to the unforgettable sub-3 finish in 2016, to injury setbacks, redemption races, and everything in between—the Chicago Marathon has been a stage for some of my highest highs and lowest lows. Flat, fast, and full of energy, the course itself is legendary, but what makes it truly unforgettable are the stories runners carry with them across 26.2 miles. These are mine—my “Chicago Chronicles.”

Race day is filled with excitement, nerves, and anticipation—whether it’s your first 5K or your 100th marathon. While no two runners’ experiences are the same, there are tried-and-true lessons that can make your first race smoother and more enjoyable. From limiting time on your feet before the start, to practicing your fueling plan, to writing your name on your bib for extra motivation, these small details can make a big difference. Most importantly, remember to set multiple goals, find a mantra, and soak up every moment—you’ll never have this first race again.

As runners, we often face well-intentioned but frustrating questions: “Don’t you ever get bored running all the time?”“Have you run all the world majors?” and “What did you run that race in?” On the surface, they seem harmless, but beneath them lies a culture that can perpetuate stereotypes, fuel comparison, and drain the joy from the sport. In this post, I unpack why these questions can be triggering, how they reflect deeper misconceptions about running, and what we might ask instead to foster a healthier, more supportive running community.

Running has a way of humbling us, lifting us up, and teaching us lessons that extend far beyond the miles on the road or trail. From reclaiming the Boston Marathon finish line after tragedy, to discovering the joy of trail running in the mountains of Wyoming, to experiencing the Berlin Marathon hand-in-hand with my wife, each run has changed my life in profound ways. These runs remind me that no run is ever wasted—every step is a gift, a challenge, and a chance to grow.

Running has been part of my life for nearly two decades, but it wasn’t until recently that I truly found joy in the sport. For years, I chased PRs, mileage goals, and external validation—often at the cost of my mental health and happiness. The turning point came when I shifted my focus from proving myself to others, to running for myself and alongside those I love. From pacing my wife in the Berlin Marathon to coaching runners of all levels, I’ve discovered that joy in running isn’t about numbers or times—it’s about connection, presence, and doing it for the right reasons.

Running should always come back to one simple question: are you having fun? In a sport filled with PRs, training plans, and endless advice on how to run “better,” it’s easy to lose sight of why we run in the first place. Burnout, overtraining, and injury often creep in when joy takes a backseat to performance. This post explores how to recognize the signs of running fatigue, reset your goals, and rediscover the fun—whether that means scaling back, switching distances, or trying something entirely new.