RTCL Ambassador: Kelly Webster

What’s your running “story”?

I started running at the age of 19 after I retired from Figure Skating. (I was on the USA team from 1981-1986 and Sportswoman of Colorado in 1984) and needed to have something to challenge me physically. I have run 30 full marathons, including two Boston Marathons and two NYC Marathons. I was at the 2013 Boston Marathon and finished 15 minutes before the first explosion and was just a block away. It was the scariest day of my life.

How has running changed your life? How have you grown?

Being an ultra-athlete from age 4, I am so competitive and as I get older, I am still competitive in my mind. However, I’ve allowed my running to chill a little bit and really enjoy doing it with friends. I’m going to run the Vegas 1/2 marathon in 2022 with 13 other ladies and I would never have done a thing like that a few years ago!

What is/are your biggest running-related accomplishment(s)?

Qualifying for Boston twice and NYC Twice

What is your best advice to new runners?

Have fun and just enjoy it. Pace yourself.

What is your best advice to advanced runners?

Have fun.

What is one thing you wish you knew when you first started running?

How important good running shoes are!

What do you do outside of running to stay healthy or active?

Orange Theory Fitness, Yoga, Bike, Hike

What goal(s) are you working toward in the coming year?

Doing the Dopey Challenge in January of 2022. It is a 4 day challenge at Disney World. day one is a 5k, day 2 is a 10k, day 3 is a half and day 4 is a full. This will be my final full marathon. (RTCL Editors: Congrats to Kelly for accomplishing this goal! This article went live right after Kelly finished this challenge.)