All About KP Kelly
All About KP Kelly
Business Consultant
Loves to Run: Marathons and More
Running 100 Marathons in 100 Days for 100 Charities!
What is your goal?
I am running a marathon every day, for one-hundred days, for one-hundred different charities!
I picked 12 different cities, across the United States of America. Each city has an official marathon course, so I will run their course every day.
What charities are you running for during your 100 marathons in 100 days?
I sent out a call of action to see if there were charities interested in being a part of my 100 Marathons in 100 Days. I had a lot of requests. It took a while to choose. I feel very passionate about helping Veterans, research for Cystic Fibrosis and Alzheimer’s Disease. I also have ten slots open to work in different causes I hear about along the way, for example if a child needs funding for a surgery. It is a lot of work organizing all one-hundred fundraisers. I will be posting everything about this journey on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
My mom has Alzheimer's. I am fundraising for multiple charities for Alzheimer’s disease. My goal is to make a difference for smaller cities and organizations. I found local chapters such as the Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Chapter.
I have a nephew with Cystic Fibrosis, and will be focusing on fundraising for this cause.
There will be a fundraiser for the action to help children with severe scars.
I will be fundraising for an organization that gives the homeless running shoes to help them to feel empowered. Perhaps, I will run with some members for a few hours and hear their stories.
Have you ever completed a run similar to this before?
At first, I wanted to do a point to point run. However, that would not work well, because I have to work while I am running. Running for a different charity every single day involves a lot of promotions and I need internet access.
I ran up to Ohio twice. The first time, I did it in 6 days which required running 40 miles a day. My friend drove alongside me as I was running. One day, in 96 degree heat, I passed out. Nevertheless, I finished in 22 hours. A year later, I went out for the first time and ran 100 miles in 69.5 hours.
When did you start running?
My sisters have always been runners, and they signed me up for a 5K. I love running with my twin sister.
I ran my first marathon when I was 18.
I actually trained on my own for five mile races. I ran a race in my division training for my first marathon, Chicago. Then, I did a couple more marathons. Originally, I was running about one or two marathons a year. Three years ago, I started being an official pacer. I have never run an Ultra marathon, I have only done them as a pacer.
How many marathons have you run?
150 marathons!
Do you have a diet planned for your 100 marathons in 100 days?
In preparation of my 100 marathons in 100 days, I consulted a dietitian. As long as I keep my weight loss under 36 pounds, it will be okay. The goal is to keep my weight loss under 10 pounds a month.
I need more than the standard gels when I am running. The recommend daily amount of calories is not enough for me. I have found if I consume more throughout the run, it helps. This required me carrying more food. During my run to Ohio, I carried 64 pounds of gear on my back.
What are your favorite foods for fuel before all of your running?
Pizza. I actually have a whole pizza following, because I travel and have so many different varieties.
I will eat a large pizza every night of my 100 marathons in 100 days. I try to find a healthier crust, limit the cheese and triple the chicken for protein.
What do you like to have for fuel while running?
I am always trying to find healthy things I enjoy, that will give me the most calories. For example, I find protein shakes with the highest protein and lowest amount of sugar.
What obstacles have you faced throughout your athletic career?
I was really lucky for a long time, but then I actually broke a bone in the heal of my foot running the Cleveland Marathon. It was a stress fracture I did not know was there. Before mile seven, I jumped up on this curve and then noticed it did not feel right. I tore my LCL. I have had those in the past two and a half years. Right now, I have the same LCL tear and two small breaks on right foot.
I would never recommend anyone to run through these types of injuries. I am lucky they found it and there was a quick recovery. I have also been amazed by the body’s ability to adjust to injuries.
How do you run through these injuries?
Strong will power and Aleve. I have a gel cup brace, and I wear an air cast in between running. Ice and elevation helps.
What is your favorite distance?
I like 100 miles. I really want to race it, because I think I may be able to be competitive in 100 milers. My first run across Ohio, my first hundred was under 20 hours.
Eventually, I hope to run a 100 mile race on each continent, through five deserts and end with Antarctica.
What are some of your favorite marathons?
Chicago is my PR, however I have not done it in 10 years. I like Chicago because there is tons of fan support!
I love the Boston Marathon, you cannot beat it.
Burlington Vermont is a hidden gem, similar to Boston in elevation. Massive hill at mile 18, scenic all along there and finishes at the original Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Shop.
Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor?
I like coffee flavor with chocolate chips.
Where is your favorite place to run?
My favorite place to run is around water. I love to go to a huge city and load up my Camel Back with water and run/walk/jog a bit for five hours. Mostly, I love doing that along water like a lake, ocean or a river.
How does running make you feel?
A lot of times it energizes me, and calms me at the same time. I tell people, make sure you make running a part of your every day.
What do you like to wear running?
I like to wear free gear. Aerotech Designs is a great company, they make custom fit clothes. They have made a bunch of extra-long shirts for me. What I have is a bike jersey, really tight in the sleeves with pockets in the back.
I have a really good long tech jacket for once it gets below 25 degrees.
I like to keep it simple.
What type of sneakers do you wear?
ASICS GT 2000.
I wear a size 16, whenever I can find them I stock up. I have three pairs of black and one pair of lime green.
Every 30 miles of a run, I change my shoes and socks.
Do you have a motto?
I feel like we are called out to live bold lives, but we try hard not to, because it is more convenient to fit in and do what everyone else does. My motto is, be bold enough to be yourself.
Do you have advice for other runners?
With marathons I always tell runners, keep it simple. Do not over-complicate the process. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going!
Photography, courtesy of KP Kelly.
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