How long have you been running?
I have been running for almost 3 years.
How did you start/get involved with running?
…over a bottle (or 2) of wine with a good girlfriend – she promised me “I could do it”.
What do you love most about running?
I love how it makes me feel. I love the fact that you don’t need any fancy equipment. Doesn’t matter if it’s raining or not – you can just lace up and go.
How does running make you feel?
Lately – sore! Haha, but it makes me feel stronger. It has boosted my confidence tenfold.
What are some of your major milestones that you have achieved while running?
I went from barely being able to go a 100ft, to thinking.. “10km, that’s just a training run”. Most recently I was able to run a 10km on a Saturday, then half marathon on the Sunday, all the while fighting some ongoing injuries, so that was a major milestone for me.
What are some of your pet peeves while you are running?
Hmm…when my puppy would rather jump and play than stay by my side and just run.
When did you discover you wanted to enter races?
Back to during that bottle or 2 of vino with my girlfriend.. she showed me that you can enter races with the intent to finish – not win – and they still give you some awesome Bling! (medals!!). So then it became all about pushing myself to inprove my time, not racing against anyone else.
Can you list for me how many races you have been in and how many medals that you have received for all of your accomplishments?
At this point…over 20 medals in 2 years… The races all range from 5K to 10K to half marathons and I have plans to complete a marathon I don’t have a list of all of the races that I have done, but I love all of the medals that I have hanging on my wall!
What are some of the challenges you have had to overcome in order to run?
Running is a mental sport. Your body, for the most part, can do it. It’s your mind that tells you it’s hard. So overcoming the obstacles in my mind has been the only real challenge.
What is some advice you have for someone who might want to give running a try?
Slow and steady. Just the fact that you are not sitting on a couch, you have your running shoes on.. and you are out there trying. Start in short distances, walk a lot, and just learn to enjoy being out and active.
What keeps you motivated to keep running?
My health, my fiancé, and my step-kids. Becoming a runner has made me a better, and stronger person. The knowledge that yes, sometimes it hurts. Sometimes you’ll fall. But in the end –crossing that finish line, having them announce your name as you step over the line – it such an empowering feeling of accomplishment… it pushes you to keep going.
How has running shaped the person you are today?
I’ve always struggled with my self image. I’m not the “ideal” size/weight of a runner… but by running, I’ve become a more confident person, and in turn love sharing the feeling of just going out and running.
What are some of your other favorite hobbies outside of running?
I really enjoy cooking, baking, fishing, hiking, I just really enjoy basically anything outdoors.
Kelly is our very first cover model for FabUplus Magazine, and her beautiful face can be seen on our March 2016 issue where she shows us how to “Break out your inner curves”. Kelly is someone who has a big heart and sees the good in everyone. Although she still struggles with her self-image, she continues to try, and she describes herself as a “work in progress”.
When we asked Kelly what makes her FabUplus, she responded with her eyes and her fun and social personality. Kelly has a unique abiltiy to adapt to whatever life throws at her.
We believe that there is a bit of FabUplus in each of us, to share your story of what makes you FabUplus, email shannon@fabuplusmagazine.com