Transcript
Speaker: Hello and welcome to episode 16 of the Wild Ones podcast. I'm your host Sarah. And I'm your host Viv. I can't believe we' we're on episode 16 already. think you've seen us every episode. I know. i um cannot promise our audio is better this episode. I'm just gonna put it out there. We're gonna really try that our audio is better because we promised Amy that our audio would be better but we made it to episode 16.
Speaker: in one piece slightly better i've also hired my husband as like the audio person from now on because he can hear this a good job better than i can yeah if probably both of us combined we're like what we're not even literally not even in our 80s and we're like huh what's going on i mean it helps that he yeah is like a music instructor yeah that's been for forever and so i feel like he just has the ear for you're for it. And I just, you know, operated chainsaws and chippers for many years. And I, it's fine. You don't need to.
Speaker: Speaking of Matt, is he still walking? Okay. From high lonesome. What are we add two Two weeks out now from that. Yeah, he's doing great. He just went, It was so funny. Like, he ran 100 miles and he took like two weeks off of running completely. And he was like, I don't know if I can run.
Speaker: Like, I just, I don't know if I can do it. It's like riding a bike mat. Yeah, he ripped off the band-aid yesterday and he had a good run. And it was great to see him out running again. Oh, that's awesome.
Speaker: Was he on the trails or did he just do a little little road? um We don't really have payment around our house. That's true. You do live in... BB and there's like nothing but gravel. So mountain town went on like the, our local like run club loop with, with some folks that were amazing and showed up and went. So it was casual. Say less.
Speaker: Yeah. That's awesome. How have you been? Have you been getting in a little bit of movement, some runs? Not too much running yet. I actually ran yesterday for the first time in of weeks. I kind of just like took some time off.
Speaker: Yeah. To like figure out what was going on with my body and I have an appointment tomorrow. So hopefully get some more information from that about what is actually going on. But yeah, i did like a 45 minute Swift ride today and it felt really good. So. Heck yeah.
Speaker: Fingers crossed for a healthy body because I'm over the shit, you guys. Yeah, we got to get you better so you can um hop in a swim run. Maybe. Maybe at the end of the year. Cinnamon Austin? Maybe? Yeah, I'm already eyeing things up for a night There we go. I texted you. was like, we should do this backyard ultra. Oh, Sarah is texting me an entire race calendar already. And we're not even like, somebody asked me to do like the Lugaroo, like,
Speaker: 20, 40, 16, 100 one. and I go, no, December is my off month because I already know what's coming. And Sarah has already tasked me with five other races. So we're, we're not doing that.
Speaker: Well, speaking of backyard ultras, didn't she? What did what are you what have you been up to? Oh, my gosh. Well, regular training, but we're kind of in the middle of like a race week taper. It's weird.
Speaker: um So last weekend, I did the Louisiana Summer Nights. We're actually going to talk about it a lot this episode, but um did that. And it's from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., 10 hours.
Speaker: It was a two-mile loop course, so do as many miles as you can. And it was technically, it was like 2.08, so like you'd you'd gather more miles. So I ended up doing like 42.5 42.6 miles.
Speaker: and a half are four two point six miles at the end of the day. And i was very surprised, think thankful for my training in the base that like I was not completely wrecked, which is again, beyond something beyond grateful for. um I wanted to quit the entire time. I'm not gonna lie. i look i literally like came in at 48K and said, I wanna quit.
Speaker: And Jimmy was like, Jimmy, wonderful crew captain, Bo and Chuck, all three of those guys were like, you can't quit because you're at 48K. Like you have to at least get to 50. And them knowing that I was just going to keep going, going, going.
Speaker: um Just like the, it was insane. So the boys pushed me um and they're like, you can catch a third place female. i was fourth place at the time. I had a few girls behind me and he just, the boys kept me going, but I did puke. I had a puke and rally um like every good race that we do together. um But I knew just like how mentally strong I needed to stay. So,
Speaker: It definitely tested. I knew I had the physical ability, but mentally I was in i was trash. And then like probably 50K, I was like, oh, I'm alive again. I'm dead. I'm alive again. like Whatever that whatever like meme is or whatever. so um yeah But I survived. We did it. And now we have Casco Bay this weekend. So I'm very excited to be partnering with Anna for that and seeing all of our friends.
Speaker: little sad you're not going to be there, but I'm so, so, so excited for the party today. and um the experience as well so we're we're teeing up for a good weekend here yeah you really do have a great weekend coming up like the last few weeks lots of running lots of adventures so proud of you for pushing through thanks girl brushing your ultra like i i just like forgot you were even doing it and i was looking on strava and i was like it was our it was garmin connect because we're friends on garmin oh yeah it's like
Speaker: Oh my gosh. 40 something miles yeah forty two mile. 42 miles. You must have had a race. pretty has it She has to be high. There's no other way.
Speaker: no I'm, I'm so excited because our guest this week, um, she actually also ran Louisiana summer nights, but That's not the only reason I wanted to have her on this podcast. We met at Run Club.
Speaker: I've known her through mutual circles as well, but she is born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. She is a hybrid rock star to the max. She's done CrossFit. She's done High Rocks.
Speaker: She's done and she's dabbled in endurance sports as well. So she doesn't know what kind of comes next, but I'm so excited to chat with Kelly South this week. Welcome to the podcast, Kel.
Speaker: Welcome. Hi. How are y'all doing? Oh, we're good. How are you? So excited to have you. How's your body feeling after Louisiana Summer Nights? She is red so is It is like wrecked to the max. It's not even funny.
Speaker: I like, like I said, I texted you today, but i was like, how are you doing? Cause I'm doing horrid. it just But it's fun. push yourself to the max Let's, let's, do before I forget, let's just do a little race recap because you were, you gunned it from the beginning and I'm freaking chasing you the entire time you and Erica at the beginning, and I guess, and Ryan too, before she dropped, but yeah.
Speaker: So I ran, I tried to run with Ryan for the, most like for the most part, cause I knew coming in, she, I was hearing through a little bird that she was trying to do 60 miles. And I was like, Oh my goodness. How, how are we going to this? And then I was like, let's just stick with her a pace with her. yeah wine Cause I don't do like, I don't,
Speaker: do this. I don't really go crazy, but I don't do ultra running like that. So i think the last training session I had before like for like a long run was 10 miles maybe.
Speaker: So like I wasn't prepared. I think that's why my body is just so wrecked now. Like have a stress fracture in my foot. My knee is all messed up. Like it's just, it's Everything's fine And so I was like, let's run with Ryan. I know she's going to hold a good pace. Like, yeah and I'm like, okay, kind of got eye on her.
Speaker: And then we started running and she started talking to me. And I'm like, oh God, no. I don't know how people talk and run. So i was like, oh my goodness. Okay, this is gonna be this is gonna be good. But also, like I said, I don't know any of this. So I didn't know you had to have a good light.
Speaker: Like a light. Oh yeah. Mine was like a cheap little like CVS light to the point where didn't ask them if it was on or not because I couldn't even see like what was doing. you should have come to me. I had like two extras. that he was like, oh my goodness. So, hey, shout out to Ryan. I was using her light for a long time. Amazing.
Speaker: didn't even see like at all. And then probably like mile... 14, 15. So I don't know. I say this a lot. I have long legs. So my cadence is like, if I'm running like a little bit slower, it hurts.
Speaker: It hurts me to run a little bit slower. So think we were running around like 11 little bit. And I was like, okay, got to pick it up a little bit. I got go just a little bit. So we kind of came in the in the shoot and i took off at around probably like a 9.50. I stick ah stuck with that for...
Speaker: when I want to say like 20 miles. It's pretty good. Yeah. Yeah. Try to, try to stick with like that 10 in between like that 10, 10 30 pace, but y'all can have the woods at night.
Speaker: Have it. I don't want it. Y'all have that. Absolutely not. Was that your first time running? asking you though i mean I was like, Oh, thank God. It's my friend. yeah ah tell Was that your first time running in the dark?
Speaker: Yeah. good Yeah, i made it was. Made for More. you It was still daylight. Yeah, this was my second ultra ever. So, yeah, the Made for More was still daylight. And I knew, like it was obviously, like, a different sequence, like, going to stop. I like that way better. i will say that. Yeah. Being able to stop and, like, kind of getting – I just want sit for a minute. Just let me sit and, like – chill But yeah I did not know. And I even thought to myself for Made For More, when it gets dark, I'm i'm cutting it because I didn't want to go in the woods at dark by myself. Look at you now.
Speaker: Let's just sign up for damn ultra in the dark. Like, why not? And silly me, I thought there would be people around us 24-7. We were alone a lot, actually.
Speaker: yeah I really didn't think because so the previous course is a 3.8 mile loop. And figure eights, you get to see a lot more people, but you were still alone then too. So i was like, oh, shorter loop. We're going to see more people.
Speaker: No, we were still alone. I remember there was one time because I did hear it like last year's Louisiana summer nights. It's in a, where's the course at? It's usually a Katie and a nature trail station or something like that. Yeah. Reena was saying it's like very eerie.
Speaker: It's very like you're alone and it's eerie. Yeah, because you're just apparently there's wild hogs out there. i haven't seen them yet. But like, thank goodness that the trail was not maintained because I'm very glad we had the trail that we did. It wasn't it wasn't as technical. So i was like, Oh, I don't know. But there was still some I was still hitting rocks and almost eating shit.
Speaker: Oh, yeah. That's why my knees messed up. you know Like there was some hills up in there a little bit, you know? Yeah. How did you get it convinced to sign up for this?
Speaker: So, oh, it's so funny. These are the run clubs that we do. The last, so the last ultra that we did was beau from MoveRx. Like they put it on and I've been friends with Bo and Chuck and all them for years from like my old CrossFit gym.
Speaker: And I kind of like dabbled in endurance sports a little bit. So they're like, Kelly, you're a decent runner. Try it. And I'm like, okay, let's just see.
Speaker: Like I hadn't even ran a marathon. I did a half. So i was like, let's just see what we can do. And then the first one, i think I ended up running around. oh I did 50.
Speaker: yeah Yeah. I was like, you got you. You better just for me. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. the girl mattny And I remember sticking with you and Marcus, your coach.
Speaker: And y'all were like, slow down. So I'm like, no, I can't. i feel like i fail You're like, I physically cannot. And I was like, hell, I don't understand. And then like talking to you afterwards, i was like,
Speaker: Oh, and that's when like I really – I think like our talk was like I realized how physiological like different bodies are. I was like, oh, yeah, you can do it. And then I'm like, oh, you can do it, but you have to do it differently to sustain. Correct.
Speaker: Yeah, no, exactly. Because it's like, it's just, it's different. I don't know. ah like a no Everybody says like, you need to slow it down to lower your heart rate or all that, which is 100% right.
Speaker: And that's what I need to work on. But this like it's the steps for me. yeah just It hurts because I got them long legs. just hurts. I mean, i guess technically, if you're going faster and you have long legs and your cadence is more spread, then you're taking less steps. Oh. And so like, more efficient. sure Yeah. knew would come in handy one day. I wonder what the actual science behind that is though. That's wild. I would love to like get into that and like understand all of that.
Speaker: Oh yeah. But yeah. um And then i don't even know who Erica was. That's another thing. Do you know who this girl that came in? think... li i I want to say she ran made for more as well. She looks she looks familiar, but I think it's maybe the Cajun Roadrunners races. Like I've seen her face before.
Speaker: And so, but when people were like, oh yeah, Erica's eica's up there. I was like, who's Erica? But like looking at her now, I'm like, i okay, she is a runner. um She's ah she obviously has done this before. Like she was right behind you.
Speaker: and it was like, cause I had no idea how far you guys were ahead of me. Cause I was, again, I was in the trenches. I was having my own little shit on the side. Yeah. I was like, all right, we're going to, you know what? I'm going to, I literally, I think I sat for a total of an hour and a half this year. And last year i only sat for 10 minutes.
Speaker: But I like it's crazy this how wildly different it was. But yeah, I did have a ah good puke and rally. But after then, like I would take nutrition and then like halfway through, like around like the the second going into the second mile of the lap, I was like, oh, immediately nauseous again. But I was like, whatever, i'm just gonna take my water, whatever, like and just kept going after that.
Speaker: yeah And so it was tough. How is your nutrition? Because we had a lot of people falling out because of that. That's what I've heard. i heard that was like a big thing this year. And I think it was also like the heat.
Speaker: um Yeah. Big factor in it. um I don't really like whenever I do it, I don't have like a game plan. That's another thing. Oh, my God. I really need to lock in on this stuff. Let's just see how we feel. So I think I went to Rouse's like the day before. Spent like $250. got so much Like, christmas treats ah like literally anything and everything. So like, I don't even know.
Speaker: Let's just like go and try it. But for made for more, I stuck to just like peanut butter and jelly tortillas. Yeah. and ill Like every third lap. And I just kept like staying consistent with that to the point like jelly was coming out my nose. It was freaking gnarly. But that all happened. And then like, I guess just gels. I was doing a lot of gels. was doing that. And then towards the end of the night, anything.
Speaker: Like I was wanting Dr. Peppers. I was wanting Alani's. I was stuffing nerve clusters. Yes. Literally anything and everything. Because I saw all of y'all like just like vomiting.
Speaker: and like yeah i like i had one I had one and then somebody was like, yeah, somebody's like projectile vomiting like three times over there. I was like, who's kyle oh it was Kyle.
Speaker: I was like, I know i I usually just need one and I'm good. Like whatever's in my system, just to work it out. Like we're good. But like people were like consistently puking every lap. It was wild. And I think that's what got Ryan too. Like I talked to her afterwards. She's like, I think I just took too much sodium.
Speaker: And that's what like totally upset my system. i was like, oh, that'll definitely do it. But it was, I was like, man, we're like tossing all all our cookies. I know. That's what I will say. Whenever Ryan, me and Ryan were running, she did say like she was drinking a lot more.
Speaker: think that's what a lot of like the runners were doing. this this race just because it was so hot and it was so just like humid and nasty that yeah it's like slurping through all of our like electrolytes and lmt like everything so i was like trying to stay pretty consistent i'm like okay water this round car yeah water like trying to go back and forth with it but other than that like I never had an issue with my nutrition. I'm at knock on freaking wood. If I do this, the next one, I'm going to just be puking. Next year, can't wait. Yeah. So everybody get ready. I'm going to be puking the next year. no, I've never had an issue with nutrition. I don't know. Maybe it's. That you're so lucky. Yeah. Yeah. What happened? I don't know. Keep doing what you're
Speaker: I, um for me, i didn't take enough. in the beginning like like actual nutrition like i I had my gels but I was I was more on the water Pedialyte and so I made sure that that was good and then when I stopped I I know I ate too fast and my stomach was like whoa that's what upset it because I immediately puked what I had just eaten so and it was funny like Jimmy's like right there like next to me he goes so what do you need and I'm like vomiting and I'm like
Speaker: Jimmy, I can't answer you right now. Like, I just – I need a minute. And then I, like – then – I will say – will admit my pride got the best of me because Chris Shanks came in. and i and he was behind me.
Speaker: and i was like, no, I can't let Shanks beat me. I took off um with just a water flask, not taking any nutrition after I mom-ed it. And I was like – and I – i like i i I should say like I had like a grilled cheese or something from the aid station, but like not enough after vomiting. And so I was like, I got this. And of course, James passes me anyway. But I was like, no. And he goes, hey, babe. And I was like, no, Chris. What is the format of this race?
Speaker: It was 10 hours. okay Two mile loop. Do as many miles as you can and just keep going. But you have to finish the loop before 6 a.m. yeah okay okay so you can like rest as much as you want you can take off as much as you want or there were some people that weren't resting at all which is literally insane did everybody like finish until 10 like run till 10 a.m their last no they you can bow you can bow out at any point like if you're like hey you know i only want to run 20 miles you're good
Speaker: But were people like competing up until the last like hour of it? Oh, yeah. oh yeah My like, so the girl that the Erica girl, um she was first for like a ah little bit. I don't know. I don't really know when I like kind of overtook her. I don't know. We're in such a great way.
Speaker: people don't understand that whenever they're like when did you i'm like how don't even know because like you you pass somebody and you don't know if they're ahead of you on a lap or behind your lap like it's it's yeah and like i remember even thinking in my head like i looked at my wall obviously we started at eight and then i looked i didn't look again on my phone until it was like 12. so i was like okay four hours passed right there then i didn't look till it was like three i'm like dang this is kind of going faster like you just have no sense of direction or time or like Anything. So you don't see when these people are passing you. basic That makes sense. And there's like no way to really keep track unless you're actually keeping track of how many miles and loops that they're at. A lot of the like backyard style ultras that I've seen or been a part of, it's like,
Speaker: every hour or every two hours or, like, you start as a group on that lap together and then you just – it's, like, last man's standing. That you can tell. Like, that you know, okay, we're all in the same loop. But this one, like, you come into the shoot and you just say your number and then you're, like, I don't know where I'm at.
Speaker: Yeah. It's, like, gives it a whole new, like, vibe, too, because, like, you're you're competing for yourself to see how long you can go. But then there's also, like, this competition aspect within the race because – like you trying to get the most slaps yeah go at any pace and start yeah it's crazy no it was it was awesome but i remember thinking like whenever me and ryan like kind of split up i was like okay let me just keep going i don't know where i'm at let's just go yeah okay i want to say it was like mile
Speaker: 30 maybe 29 or 30 I hadn't sat down yet because I was just like coming in and out yeah they were kind of like exchanging little things because I was in my head thinking like okay you can run a marathon I mean you did the 50 you can run a marathon do not sit until then so I think at like mile 28 I like went to the restroom actually in the porty potty wow only time I'm proud of you yeah only life The other ones, you know, just in the woods. like Yeah, literally. So I think like mile 30, Chuck came up to me and was like,
Speaker: you're in the lead. And I was like, shut up. Dude. Yeah. Chuck was like up updating. And i go check your high. Like, I don't know what where you're getting this information. You have to be like, yeah, that's what I was like, wait, what? Chuck. And he's like, no, you're, you're like in the lead. I'm like, that's awesome.
Speaker: Okay, cool. And so I just was like, okay, let's just run it. Like, let's just go. And then probably like mile, uh, and then probably like mile thirty 35 36 so do you know my friend Kyle do you know yeah so he was like kind of projected to win it for the guys like he was yeah he was moving too he was really really moving right he's a f freaking great runner great everything so I was just like okay he's kind of he that was a puking and rallying for him he was yeah yeah
Speaker: Um, and we kind of went into it like, okay, let's just see what like the other one's going to do. Like, well, we might run some together. It's like a, like a duo kind of thing. Yeah.
Speaker: So i remember thinking like, he's down. i don't know where he's at. He's down. And then Chuck came to me was like, Kyle's out of the race. We're going to let him rest for a minute. And then we're going to like get him down because he's just peaking rallying. And then he's going to come and pace you for the next like three hours. Um,
Speaker: And was like, hell yeah, because want to be in these woods. Yeah, you're like, I don't want by myself. I don't want to be myself. I don't know where this Erica girl is, but like, I don't see her at all. So i was like, okay, thank God. Just run one more by yourself and then I'll get to like run with my friend. So we came back in He's like rejuvenated. He's like, let's go. We're going to go run this thing. Like, oh yeah, let's go.
Speaker: So probably like mile, i want to say it was like the the second to third last lap, so mile like 42 44, two or one I sat down because I was hurting so bad. Like my knees were hurting. Everything was hurting. And Chuck let me sit for like three minutes. And then the second time, yeah, the watch out. So yeah, to all three minutes. That's so nice. Yeah.
Speaker: But and then we took off and then he came back and he kind of met us out like in the in the shoot because I'm thinking that was my last one. Like, it's probably like we're good.
Speaker: We're good. We locked in the victory. Like, can I go home? Can I just go to bed? and he comes and he's like, Erica has gained 10 to 12 minutes on you in this lap.
Speaker: If you don't sprint this last lap, you're going to lose. Oh, I got that same talk. I hate it. was like, I hate you. He goes, don't hate me. And I go, I hate you, Chuck. I hate you so much right now. this is This is where I get a little bit like confused. But if, okay, so but like Eric, let's say she was to quit after that loop because she couldn't do anything more. But then you went ahead and did like 10 more laps. When didn't you like still win? So then like the pace doesn't matter. Kelly would have won. So if let's just say like that was the last lap that somebody could have possibly done within that hour.
Speaker: Kelly would have still won even like Kelly and Erica did the same amount of miles. But because Kelly finished first, she won. Yeah. Because it was within that hour time frame?
Speaker: Yeah, it was before 6 a.m. cutoff. So like they couldn't send her back into the woods because she wouldn't have had time to finish that loop and like technically beat me with the laps.
Speaker: Like essentially. So they couldn't, they like cut it. So like technically I guess I won by 12 minutes. Yeah. Cause she wasn't going to successfully complete yeah the 50 mile lap or loop.
Speaker: Yeah. So I guess that's, but I remember thinking in my head, I'm like, Chuck looked at me, he's like, can you run that same, what you just ran, can you run it at the same pace? Which was like, was until 1130 and we thought we were flying. know?
Speaker: But you're like, huh? Like, I don't know if I can. was like, Chuck, I can't. And he just like pushes me. he's like, yes, you can go. He goes, bye. you later. and I'm like, I love Chuck. he's i also I also hate Chuck at the same time. Every single, I told him at the at the move made for more. And we're actually at the same the same site.
Speaker: i go, hey, Chuck, you know, I mean, it's just, it's just pattern. it's It's tradition at this point for me to tell you that I hate you on this piece of land. Yeah. Multiple times.
Speaker: Yeah. Multiple. as a act Yeah. He's great. He he he can see you when you're done and he can see you when you have more. And that is something I admire about him a ton.
Speaker: No, I definitely, I definitely agree with that. um That last lap though, like me and Jesus got real close on that one. because I think in the woods, i think people could hear me. I was like, ah buth like I was just trying to rank some, like I did not come all this way for this girl to gain 10 more minutes on me in this dang last lap.
Speaker: And then me lose all of this. Like, it's just not happening. It's not happening. So I think, I think we actually did like around like a 930 pace that last. along Yeah, we were, so i was like, I want this to be done.
Speaker: ah Please let this be done. For this to be done. So, but it's so funny. Like when you're in those, like, we call it like the trenches, obviously. yeah The Lulu moments are just crazy.
Speaker: they're funny like you just don't even know i i thought i saw like animals coming at me i thought i saw oh yeah no you're just you're tired your body's tired and that's it like you just need to go to bed you don't need drugs you just need running yeah you literally just need running if you want to hallucinate go run 50 miles in the middle of the night exactly like that's what you need to do in the woods yeah yeah out of all the places in the woods has to be in the woods And like, I know y'all like well that wasn't a bad elevation for you probably was it?
Speaker: It wasn't. Like I was running, I was running that motocross hill, the hill at the end for like six or seven laps in the beginning and then i was like I should probably be smart and walk this oh that was like my favorite time so I got to stretch out my hammies yeah I was like we're gonna stretch this yeah oh absolutely no but that's what I think it's so like funny it's like we we're doing this and we think it's like so crazy were like Colorado and all the mules elevation is insane so like even like trail running over there it's like I don't think that's
Speaker: i don't think i could have you Have you always done sports? Yeah. Has it always been part of your life?
Speaker: Yes. I played soccer growing up. So I played competitively. And then in high school, I wanted to go play college. But then kind of just like during high school, I had a bunch of concussions. I had like six concussions. Same. This is why we run so much.
Speaker: Honestly, I can agree. but Yeah, i got concussions playing rugby and skiing. Maybe that is why we run. not like that's go pal little it Get a TBI and just start running. Seems to be the go-to. The vibe. But yeah, so played all through throughout my life and then Decided to just give it up. i was like, okay, we're not, we're not even going to try go to college. It's just kind of, we're going to close that chapter a little bit. And then in college, I started CrossFit.
Speaker: So I wanted back to my competitive nature. I mean, you, you do a sport your entire life and then you quit it and your identity is in that sport basically. Yeah. and It's like, wait, hold up.
Speaker: I need to get back into like competing or doing something. So that's kind of how CrossFit kind of came into, into play for me. Yeah. That's wild. how And how did you figure out, like, how to compete in a cross, like, CrossFit? Because I saw, like, the CrossFit games and stuff like that, but I didn't know, like, ordinary people did that, too. Yeah, so I went to Rage. Do you and Fitness? Yes. Yeah, I haven't been there yet, but...
Speaker: So I was at Rage and Fitness. i started when I was like 19 and I actually recently just moved gyms, but I was there for about four to five years and I was just competing like local CrossFit competitions. I knew, however, like this actual sport CrossFit, I knew I didn't want to like compete, compete in that. I was like, there has to be something like endurance based.
Speaker: That's more up my alley kind of thing. So that's whenever Tyrox came in to play for me about. Okay. two to three years ago. It was kind of, it kind of just started and I was like, okay, let's, let's, let's do this. Let's figure it out.
Speaker: And me and my friend Ashley, we were like kind of the first ones in Lafayette to go do one. um I think we went to Dallas to do one. Okay. And we ended up placing, like, I think second in, like, our age group. And I was like, okay, wait, this could be fun. That's amazing. Yeah. You're like, oh, I think I might be good at this. This is fun.
Speaker: Hold up. I don't have to snatch. i don't have to do bar muscles. i don't have to do any of this. Like, I just have to run and lift weights. Like, heck yeah. Pull sleds. Yeah. Pull sleds. Give them all day, every day. yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, i was like, let's just go Let's do this. And then um probably like a year ago, I actually kind of started taking it serious. I was kind of just barely i was like, okay, we'll just work out. And then would say you within the year, i'm like, okay, let's actually like compete and like focus.
Speaker: What are some of your goals with that? With High Rocks, really like, obviously I would want to be in the elites, but it's just right now the field is getting so good because it's becoming obviously became very saturated.
Speaker: And now everybody's like doing it. And these girls are phenomenal athletes. Like, it's insane. There are times that they're putting up. It's just their runs. I'm like, how are y'all running this and pushing all these sleds and then running a 430, a thousand. Like, it's just, oh my gosh, it's insane. So wild yeah, no, it's crazy. And they just keep getting better. But like my goals with that obviously would be, I really do want to be in the elite 16, but right now i just need to make it to worlds. That's kind of my goal with that. I was in the 16 to 24 age group, which I don't want to say it was easier, but I got bumped because I turned 25. Oh, I know. Oh my God, I'm getting old.
Speaker: got bumped to the 25 29, which is like a very, very competitive. Yeah. That makes sense, actually. yeah So like the 16 to 24, I'm like, can I go back into that? I mean, there's still phenomenal athletes in there as well, but the 25 to 29, it's just, it's very competitive right now.
Speaker: So yeah. It's where a lot of women kind of find their endurance and find like what their bodies can do because I think um like we grew up in variety of sports where we're pushed to like, especially women, like we're pushed to a breaking point where like we either quit sport on a good call or we're like, we're forced to quit something and walk away from it. And so I think In our early twenty s we're like rediscovering like what it means to like be an athlete and be a healthy athlete.
Speaker: um And now like in our late 20s, early 30s, we're like, oh, like we're actually good at pushing our bodies and when we can do it well. This is crazy. So it's incredible to see so many women finding finding it. Obviously, it makes the field a little bit more saturated for you. i think there's a lot of women athletes out there that did not do a whole lot of sports either until they became more mainstream. And because of...
Speaker: like hearing about it and joining local gyms and stuff like that and seeing other women do it they're like oh hell yeah like let's try this out and see what I can do which is amazing then like they find that actually maybe i am good at endurance and I am strong and like I can do all of these really hard things but it just like took them a little bit longer in life to figure that out I was like a late bloomer when it comes to running or swimming. Like I didn't have those two things really in childhood besides for running around when I had to run.
Speaker: was being chased. yeah as being chased but like if i I was at you to be forced. Like when I was playing rugby, of course, but that was more like sprints. It wasn't like endurance. And so I feel like as we get older and mature, like our ability to endure and push in endurance sports just gets bigger and bigger and bigger because we're so tough.
Speaker: Yeah, mentally tough. Women are just like made for this, honestly. And I'm so excited to like see that saturation in high rocks yeah and like see more women in that field and really just like an all endurance sports. It really gets me fired up. But more competition I agree with that I like and it's also like these women finding their like strength and all this in the 20 like post-grad yeah that's great because you let's be real everybody's lost post-grad oh yeah you have no idea and you're like sports yeah lifes but right yeah this and that let's go to them and so it's like and then you start doing it it's like wait I can't actually do this I can't that's what i tell people all the time I'm like
Speaker: because whenever people come up and they're like you do hierarchies, I'm like yeah, and you could too. It's like, it's so, I'm not going to sit here and say it's easy, but like you can, if you put your mind to it, you can definitely do it. Like there's different divisions. There's different, there is like the competitive aspect of it. Obviously with every sport there is like the, the pros and the elites and all that. But then if you want to go and just like accomplish like an open, like it's so you're still pushing some heavy weight.
Speaker: Like, it's still it's still very admirable that you can go and do that. So I give everybody props that actually even attempts attempts it. Because, like, people don't even do it. So it's like, if you even if you actually...
Speaker: do it it's like okay and that's cool good job i love that i think the same thing for like any like 5k or 10k or like anything it's like if you're getting out there and getting after it and like challenging yourself to do something that's amazing and should be celebrated absolutely and you also find out wait i'm kind of good at this let's go for more and then it just keeps going you see and then you'll do an ultra and then the best part too is like you keep going and going and going you keep going but like you're also inspiring the other people around you along the way like that maybe never tried anything like that before yeah and then they meet and you meet so many people that's what i'm saying like
Speaker: I think Aiden does a great job, our local tour de Lafayette. I think she's done a great job with like meeting people, putting people in correct places to like meet certain people in different sports and running versus high rocks versus CrossFit. We're all kind of coming together and like, okay, you go to this gym, you go to this gym. Okay. I'll come try this. Like, I think it's just all kind of meshing well together right now. so Yeah.
Speaker: No, I, I could not echo that more. I think, if you're able to find a really good run club like tour, I mean, we're biased. We, we love Aiden and what she's built here. Um, Sarah still needs to come down and try it, but, um, for for what it is, like, it's amazing. It's, it is so true. Like, Hey, did you know this person? Like I've gone to CrossFit and high rock classes because of people that I met in run club.
Speaker: Yeah, absolutely. Like it's something that i would have never signed up for tried because like either it was, intimidating where i was like, no, good. We're just going to stick to the running. Yeah. We're not going to put a weight up in there. We are all good over here.
Speaker: And I've also seen like, I mean, Tor does a good job, obviously with like Lafayette, but there's also like different run clubs that are kind of starring like Coyote. Yeah. It's so fun to see more run clubs. I love this. I'm like, this is incredible. This is what we need. Because your vibe can be different here. And you might be you might find somebody that you're like, I would have never thought about this if I didn't try this run club like or even try setting up your own.
Speaker: No, I agree. It's like, it can, let's be real, it can be intimidating. It can be. Especially, like, when, like, Aiden's freaking popping off with 150 people every Tuesday and Friday, and I'm like, goodness gracious, girl. Yeah, that's insane. That's how big your run club is. Yeah.
Speaker: she And literally, literally within the last year, it has grown. Because, like, Kelly, you remember there were, they like, 10 of us? do love Yeah, we were we were some OGs up in there.
Speaker: But it was fun. Yeah, I commend her. And I'm always like, everybody start it. Why not? Yeah. Yeah. Because each time, like, love, like, Coyote is completely different route um versus, like, health on our Health Over Hills is a different route, too. Like, it depends. And different times. Southside, too. Like, it just it depends on what you need.
Speaker: when you need it. Like, and like, I've ran with Southside. It's not anywhere near my house, but like, there's been days where i'm like, you know, i'mnna I'm gonna, I'm gonna run with them. And I've loved it. I'm like, Hey, I need to come. i need to come bother you guys some more.
Speaker: It was actually Southside that got me Louisiana summer nights. Really? it was Anthony and all them. We were like running Kyle and all them. They're like, you doing Louisiana Southern Lights? I'm like, stop.
Speaker: No. I want ultra and done, guys. Yeah. Like, I was so hurt from that made for more ultra. Do not. And they're like, all right, we'll sign you up. I'm like, oh. just Okay.
Speaker: Guess we're doing it again. Like, here we go. That's incredible. It's incredibly so fun. for For all the new events that you've done, what what does it mean like for you? Cause I feel like sports can be intimidating for a woman to get into.
Speaker: How have you found it being a woman stepping into a new, a new sport, new area where it can be male dominated? Yeah, absolutely. I think that like,
Speaker: I think you can go both ways with it, obviously. Like, obviously, men, stronger, faster, let's be real, they are like, and they can push you in certain different ways. And I think that's great. And then there's also like the rally behind the women of like, okay, yeah, we're gonna beat the hell out of the men.
Speaker: Like, let's go and let's do this. And it's just so fun because it's like, wait, you're pushing that weight? Okay, I'll push that weight too. And like, let's let's actually compete about this. So I don't know. It's like, because I will say CrossFit, High Rocks, it is a male-dominated sport right now. I mean, High Rocks, not necessarily. I mean, we both have like our strengths, our weaknesses, all of that.
Speaker: um But even ultra running, I feel like. i go admit I think what he ran 60 yeah 60 and i just kept going and going and going yeah I ran 60 in the freaking which is insane like but I will say like it just it motivates me like I'm like all right well if you can do that like God put me on this earth too and I'm gonna do it too so i love that it's just you have to have confidence with it confidence resilience let's go like you want to go do that I'm gonna do it too why not
Speaker: That's incredible. Was there anything that taught you that specifically? Like, is there anything that like, or have you kind of already like you're born with that confidence or did something happen where you're like, you know what? I can do it. And I'm a badass that can do it.
Speaker: Um, I think just, that's a really good question actually. Um, I mean, obviously in the CrossFit space, you see these men pulling and pushing over 400, 500 pounds and it motivates you. Let's be real. It really does. and then That's insane. Yeah, no. The the elite men, they push, i want to say like 450.
Speaker: Yeah. It's going crazy. um But yeah, I just think like what's like in that moment, I'm just like, okay, you know what? God's given me the strength. God's given me the, the ability to go and do this and I'm going to do it the best that I can.
Speaker: And regardless of like the outcome of it, regardless of anything, it's going to be, I'm going to give my best foot forward. I'm going to know what like I'm capable of capable doing. And then God's got the rest after that. Like, let's be real. He does. But yeah, I think,
Speaker: I think you do have to have both. Like everybody, i'm I'm all here for women power in sports. Let's be real. But men do push us just like women push men. I want to say women can push men too, you know? I think we're stronger together, honestly. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm a big fan of that. Because, yeah, you look at, you're like, oh, yeah, no, I can do that, too. Hold my beer. Watch this. Yeah. Watch this. Yeah. And I think it's incredible. And they're like, oh, well, she can she's leveling up. Well, then I have to level up. And you're like, yeah, that's right.
Speaker: That's awesome. we're We're doing it together. That's awesome. And it's just, it's so fun when you intimidate those boys a little bit. you like yeah Like, it's so fun.
Speaker: They're like, oh, shit, what? You didn't come to play? And you're like, yeah, I didn't come to play. ah you too That's always fun. so How have you seen a change um from like post-grad to now? kind of finding your your new identity and what what that means and sport for you now yeah um I will say like the last year I've really kind of like put my head down and try to work a lot right after like graduation 2025 was pretty pretty tough for me um my mom like
Speaker: got re-diagnosed with s stage four cancer, bro kind of broke up with my boyfriend of two and a half years. i was like, you know what? We are... like Everything's coming at me hard right now. And you know, like, at the time, like, I remember...
Speaker: like kind of just like thinking to myself, you know what? I can do this. I don't need anybody. And this is how we're going to do it. We're going to put our best foot forward and give all the glory to God after that. But like right now, this is what we need to do. So I've kind of for the last year, just like putting been putting my head down and just working the next right thing basically. And just trying to get through and like,
Speaker: When it comes to sports, I know what I want. I know my goals. I know all of that. So it's like nobody's going to get in my way anymore of like getting that. So. I'm kind of just doing doing my own thing and hoping that it all plays out. now You're like, Jesus, I'm giving you the wheel, but can you drive straight, please? Like, please, for the love of God, you know I really want this, Lord.
Speaker: So, I don't know. I mean, obviously, like, life, yeah, post-grad. I think you could speak for anybody. Post-grad sucks sometimes. Like, it really does. But other than that, I think it's just, you got to just, like,
Speaker: put your head down and go to work girl. Like, why not You know, no Hey, no nobody's going to do it for you. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm like, nobody's going to run that pace. Nobody's going to push that sled. Nobody's going to do that full up. Like you have to do it.
Speaker: If you want your goals to like come to fruition, that's what you have to do. So it's like, even if you're tired, get up, drink an Alani, let's go. We're going to the gym. We're going to sit in the sauna. We're going home and we're crashing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I think that my mindset's kind of shifted little bit with like, okay, if this is what you want, then go for it.
Speaker: Like stop giving excuses, stop giving all that and like embrace it. Why not? Like nobody's going to do the work except for you if you want to do it. So. Yeah. I love that question. Yeah. you Why not?
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. No way. Yeah. Why not? You know, you never know. You never know what could come to it. I think, I think that, that like, what was it Rachel Endrican who like won Cocoa Dome 50. Like she like was like, why not you? Like, why not me?
Speaker: Because we were constantly like, oh well it's, it's just, it's just easy for us to compare ourselves to somebody else. It's, it's what we do automatically as humans. It's like, Oh, well she can do this. Like, Oh, Kelly can push this slide. Like, No, it's a why not you? Why? Why are you sitting here staring at some something that like you're comparing yourself to them when you are just as capable, just as amazing, just as strong and are capable of doing that and more?
Speaker: Yeah. And like, I do think social media plays a positive and a negative when it comes to that. oh yeah Oh yeah. 100%. Yeah. You're seeing it. I mean, I'm working on a video right now of just like highlight reels in, in like the race. And it's like, you didn't see us in the trenches. like You didn't see us puking back there. All my friends literally running and puking. You didn't see all that. You saw us like winning.
Speaker: Like, yeah, it's just like, it's hard whenever, especially like this younger generation coming in and it's like, don't look at everything on social media with like such a detailed like eye. Cause it's like, it's not, that's not how it is.
Speaker: Obviously the video looks nice. The real looks nice. The post looks nice. And like these people are accomplishing great things. Let's be especially like, the women in these sports are freaking phenomenal, but it's like, okay, let's actually like take a moment, dissect what are they, what's their nutrition? What are they eating? What are they, what is their actually day-to-day lives? Like they're dealing with some stuff too. Let's be real.
Speaker: So it's like like social media kind of plays like a, damn, she's like, has it all. She's running all these paces. She's doing all this, but it's like, okay, wait, let's take a step back. Let's really realize like,
Speaker: It's going to be okay. it's got Yeah, deep breath. Yeah, deep breath. Don't puke. It's going to be okay. But, yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
Speaker: Oh, my gosh. Well, one last question for you. What advice do you have for anybody wanting to do something new? Because you've done so many different sports from soccer to CrossFit to high rocks, now dabbling in and running and running long distances. Again.
Speaker: Again. was it What advice do you have for anybody thinking about trying that new thing? Trying it? I would just say, I mean, this is very simple, but do it.
Speaker: Like, what is the, why not? Like, like we were saying, like, why can't it be you? Why, why does it have to be somebody else that's doing it? Like get involved with your local run club, get involved with your local gym, find somebody that you may look up to in your gym and be like, okay, I want to be like her or I want to be,
Speaker: what she can do, like, I can guarantee you that person's going to help you, that person's going to get you to where you want to go, because, like, we're all a loving community in this, like, especially in Louisiana. Oh, 100%. Yeah, we just want to see everybody succeed. And I can guarantee, like, if you came to me and was like, I want to go run. Okay, let's go run. Like, absolutely. So, like, my best piece of advice would just be to do it. Like, why not?
Speaker: you You only live once. so Let's be real. Like, who knows? could be in the freaking woods next week running the orchard. And then the next thing we got to do, we got to bring YOLO back. Yeah, bring YOLO back. Why not?
Speaker: No, like for real, no. I think it's so accessible nowadays. Like everything is so just like at our fingertips when it comes to like our phone. Like you can literally sign up for anything on your phone. Go do it. Why not?
Speaker: You know? That's so true. Oh my gosh, yeah. You're like, oh, I could be looking up, like all this stuff. And you're like, oh, well, the same video that you're looking at of somebody lifting. yeah look at Look up that gym. Oh, it's right down the block. You should go You should definitely go. You know what? I'll meet you there. Why not? I'll bring you an Alani, too. here. Not only the baby one. I can't have a big one. Brooke almost gave me a big one for the ultra, and I was like, my heart's going to stop. Did you not drink any Alani during that ultra? No. just had caffeine gels.
Speaker: Oh, my God. There's a video of me that's like, next lap, Alani. Next lap. like melanni like ready for me I'm like, thank God. That's amazing.
Speaker: Yeah. Oh my God, I needed it. I was on those gels too, though. i was on those caffeine gels. I didn't do any gels for Made for More. Oh. Yeah, I didn't do any of those. So I didn't know that those were even like a thing. I'm like, oh, okay, let's do these. song Yeah, like how many of these can you take an hour? like How are we doing this? Yeah.
Speaker: That's incredible. Yeah. So we'll see. don't know. I think we're doing, i think going to try sugar. it sugar meal next? Oh yeah. The triathlon thing. Okay.
Speaker: Let's get you in the pool. Come on, Kel. I've been trying. I've been trying. not that good. You can, you can start. You can do it. I'll be there. You let me know when.
Speaker: We have a couple months until that triathlon or maybe two. Ish? No. I don't trust any open water in this state, Kelly. I don't care where it is. Why?
Speaker: you know what? Actually, don't tell me. Okay. I won't. I won't say it I'm like, you know, there can be. I was actually asking that in the woods. I was like, is there a lake? bears is there like what's going on over here I didn't want to know i was like there were some weird noises and I was like I'm just gonna choose to ignore that I don't know what it is or is that just in my head it's definitely in my head it has to be in my head slowly yeah and i was trying to get like my music on my phone was wet I'm like im just please like I just need to block this out and then the frogs oh they're so loud everything was just loud
Speaker: And the pain. The pain was loud. But yeah, it was fun. I think I'll do it again. Okay. well you heard it You heard it here, folks. Yeah. We'll do Made for More. I kind of want to win Made for More. i'm coming for you, Viv. Let's go, Kel.
Speaker: I'll run miles with you. I'm coming for you, Viv. You got me last year. That's what I told Bo and Chuck today. I was like, I think I'm i'm coming for made for more. They're like, really? I'm like, I'm going to attempt it.
Speaker: I don't know if we can do it, but we're going to do it. Yes, I'm all for it. I love hearing this because it's just, it's so fun. Well, I mean, um you got me. There's a, I'm going to end it with this, but you I think it was you or Vic who posted it, but kind of looping back to, it was like the sound, it was like, be the reason other women think they can do it and that like that video like i mean obviously like the reel looked really nice but it was such a true message and I know we said it earlier but I was like I want to I want to be like Kelly I want to be like Vic I want to i want I want to I want to lift heavy weights so like
Speaker: yeah i signed up for like doing crossfit classes now and i'm gonna do that after world like i'm getting more into that i'm like lifting weights actually is a good thing so yeah absolutely be the reason that other women should and like want to do it like don't give those negatives negative vibes to anybody get positive if anybody's trying something new like encourage them encourage them to go do it like I don't know why we have negative, negative people in our, in our space when it comes to the gym. I'm like, yo, these women are out here trying to do their best, trying to give new things and do new things. Why are we not encouraging them?
Speaker: Like, Absolutely. Crazy works. Everybody needs a Kelly in their head when they're at the gym. honestly And you're going to Santa Summer Nights and make her more, right? um I'm thinking about it now that you're actually, I'm like, m there's going to be some big competition.
Speaker: I kind of like this. right yeah but We need to all try to get in the lottery for the BPA form. Oh, yes, please. is what we'll try to do.
Speaker: Next one. Yeah. Next one. Yeah. Hopefully you won't puke and rally this one. I'll be there. There's always going to be a puke and rally. Sarah knows that well. There's always a puke and rally. But I do rally very, very well.
Speaker: don't stay down for long. You didn't. And I was really impressed. When I heard that you were puking around, im like, again? She did that for me. And then I saw you on the trail again. i'm like, dang, girl.
Speaker: like good for you. hol because I would be done puking and the
Speaker: woods oh my gosh well I cannot wait for all the adventures that you have planned and the insane goals that you're going to accomplish and cannot thank you enough for coming on the podcast and just sharing your story of everything yeah absolutely thank y'all for having me it was so fun Boy, I guess catch you episode 17. Is that where we're going, Sarah?
Speaker: if I mean, episode 17, that comes after 16. So we'll catch you all next time. Thanks for listening.
Speaker: Bye. Bye.
