Runner’s Spotlight: Kaitlyn

It’s been a while since my last runner’s Spotlight, but I hope to have a few to share over the next few months. Today is Kaitlyn’s turn! Kaitlyn is a mom of 3 and is very active in the community. We have run together quite often over the years, but she has definitely now surpassed me in strength and in endurance as you will learn through her story here! We ran the Berry Half Marathon a few weeks ago and left me in the dust within seconds!

How and when did you start running?

I grew up in a large, very active military family. My dad was enlisted in the Army and my mom was an aerobics instructor, so movement and sports were simply part of everyday life. Three of my siblings eventually went on to earn full athletic scholarships. Competition was pretty normal in our household.

My very first run was on the trails of Fort Bragg in North Carolina with my family. I remember complaining the entire time, but I also remember doing surprisingly well.

I officially started running in middle school after joining the cross-country team in Cartersville, Georgia. Our first practice was at Dellinger Park. I ended up finishing ahead of the boys, the girls, and even the coach. That moment stuck with me. I realized I had finally found the athletic activity that fit me.

What keeps you running?

The people, without question. The women in the Cartersville running community are incredibly inspiring and supportive. Being surrounded by people who show up consistently and encourage one another makes it easy to keep going.

Beyond that, running is an investment in my future. I want to live a long, healthy life, be present for my 3 children, and set a good example for them about discipline and taking care of your body. I’m also very aware that the ability to move freely is a privilege that doesn’t last forever, and I’m grateful for it every time I put on my running shoes.

Do you have goals associated with your running?

Like many runners, I dream about qualifying for Boston or running one of the World Marathon Majors. Those are exciting goals to have in the back of your mind.

But my real goals are simpler, continuous self-improvement and maintaining my health. Running is one of the most honest sports there is. The work you put in shows up on race day. I enjoy that process of steadily becoming stronger and more capable over time.

What do you like best and least about running?

What I love most is the constant opportunity to challenge myself. Running teaches you very quickly that you’re capable of doing hard things, and that lesson carries into every other part of life.

I also have a deep respect for other runners. The friendships you build through running are different from typical friendships. I like to joke that you don’t really know someone until you run with them, but there’s a lot of truth in that. When you see someone pushing through the same miles and challenges you are, you gain a real appreciation for the grit it takes.

Running has also been a steady companion through many seasons of life. It helps me process difficult moments and celebrate the good ones. One of my favorite things is exploring a new place through an early morning run. I love tracking those miles on Strava and documenting the route along the way, sometimes stopping to take a quick photo, because it turns the run into part of the story of the trip and makes the experience even more memorable.

The downsides are relatively minor. There’s definitely more laundry involved, and I probably wash my hair more often than I’d like. The biggest challenge is realizing how much effort it takes just to be average and how quickly fitness can slip away if you take even a short break. Running has a way of keeping you humble, but it also reminds you just how strong you can be.

Share a running story or adventure

The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC will always stand out to me. It’s the longest and most beautiful race I’ve ever run. Around 35,000 runners gathered at the start, and the energy was unlike anything I had experienced.

Early in the race we ran through a section of the city where the crowd support was overwhelming. The cheers were so loud it felt like the ground was shaking. I remember tearing up because the moment was so powerful and inspiring.

Somewhere in those early miles I found my friends from Cartersville in the crowd of runners, and we were able to run together for a good portion of the race. By mile 20, the “wall” everyone talks about became very real, but I kept moving forward and crossed the finish line.

It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and one of the most rewarding.