Sho Gray is an extremely talented individual with an extremely positive outlook on life.  His self professed goal in life is to encourage others, and he is very good at it.  Sho recently won the Pistol Ultra 100 mile race while also crushing the course record with a time of 15:24.  He lived in Japan the first 18 years of his life and then moved to Tennessee for college where he ended up staying and now serves as a cross country coach and local youth pastor.  Sho has completed countless 100 mile races and other endurance ultra events.  His spunky attitude and uplifting spirit really light up a race course.  In this episode, Sho shares how he made the leap into ultra running and his experience at the Pistol Ultra race.  He imparts training wisdom as well as how he fuels during and recovers from super long race distances.  Sho shares his goals for 2018 (spoiler alert: they are BIG) while also giving advice to those who may be on the fence about tackling their first ultra.  Enjoy this conversation with Sho Gray!  

Mentioned in this episode: 

Johnson University  

Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon

Black Mountain Monster Endurance Race

North Face Endurance Challenge

Sinister 7 Ultra Race

Pistol Ultra

Sword hydration drink 

Tailwind

Leadville 100

Desert Solstice

Criminal Minds

Black List

Orange Mud

Scott Jurek

Tim Olson

Follow Sho:

• Instagram @shogray

Follow Kelsey:

• Instagram @thegogirlblog
• Facebook
• Twitter @thegogirlblog
• Blog
• Facebook Group

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a (5 star) rating/review on iTunes.

Today I'm talking to one of my dear friends from undergrad, Jessika Birchfield.  Jessika is a wife, registered nurse, graduate student, and Justin Timberlake fan.  We met in an exercise class in college and have been friends ever since.  Jessika shares with us how she developed an eating disorder her freshman year of college and how she recovered from that.  She touches on how an experience in 2nd grade helped shape her view of weight and her thoughts on social media's role in eating disorder recovery.  Although there is definitely some deep conversation, we also share lots of laughs through other stories like when she broke her toe because I forced her to play in an intramural basketball game.  Jessika recently finished her first half marathon and she shares what that experience was like for her.  I guarantee you will love her deep Southern accent and leave this episode feeling refreshed and not alone in whatever struggles you are facing. 

For full show notes, please visit https://thegogirlblog.com/

Mentioned in the show: 

University of Tennessee

East Tennessee State University

Justin Timberlake

Today Show interview with Carson Daly

Lilly Pulitzer planner

Eating Disorders

Resurrection Conference

Rachel Billups

Please and Thank You Cookies

Louisville Half Marathon

Pal’s Sudden Service

Planking for Pizza

Episode 8 with Elizabeth Heidal

Follow Jessika: 

• Instagram @jessikabirchfield
• Twitter  @Jessika_Fletch

Follow Kelsey:

• Instagram @thegogirlblog
• Facebook
• Twitter @thegogirlblog
• Blog

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a (5 star) rating/review on iTunes.

Justin Kirkland is a journalist and runner that lives in Brooklyn.  We met my freshman year of college (forever ago) while he was an RA in my dormitory. Justin left small town Tennessee behind to chase his dreams to the big city, and it is paying off in huge dividends.  He writes for Esquire and USA Today as well as doing freelance work.  His line of work has him covering everything from The Bachelor to personal interviews with Olympian Adam Rippon. We talk about what led him to his career choice, his infinite love of pizza, the freak accident that made him want to become a runner, and what it was like to lose 70+ pounds after spending his life being the funny fat friend.  Justin shares some stories that are guaranteed to make you roll with laughter.  I gleaned so much from my conversation with Justin, and I know you are going to love his story.

 This episode is sponsored by Pressed.TN. Pressed.TN is a locally owned custom vinyl gifts company where you can order shirts, coffee mugs, tanks, onesies, and so much more. Alicia can make any design or quote that your heart desires. Check them out on Instagram and Facebook and be sure to tell them that you heard about them from the show. 

Pressed.TN Instagram

Pressed.TN Facebook

For complete show notes, please visit https://thegogirlblog.com/ 

Mentioned in the show:

Maryville College

Esquire Magazine

Snapchat

Adam Rippon

Justin’s article about Adam Rippon

Olympian Gus Kenworthy

Justin's Moonshiners Article

Throwing Up in Kindergarten 

USA Today Bachelor

Chandelier Music Video by Sia

Rock n Roll DC

Class Pass

Nike Plus Running App

We, the Pizza

&Pizza

Nina Simone Sinnerman

Dixie Chicks Sin Wagon

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

The DoDo

Dog Rates

Follow Justin:

• Instagram @justinkirkland4
• Facebook
• Twitter  @justinkirkland4

Follow Kelsey:

• Instagram @thegogirlblog
• Facebook
• Twitter @thegogirlblog
• Blog

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a (5 star) rating/review on iTunes.

Bart Yasso is a legend in the sport of running. Notoriously dubbed the Mayor of Running, he has inspired thousands, perhaps millions, to chase after their dreams and to never limit where running can take you. Having just retired as the Chief Running Officer at Runner's World after having worked there for more than 30 years, I sat down with him to pick his brain about all things running.  He has raced on all 7 continents, completed over 1,000 races including the Comrades Marathon in South Africa and the brutal Badwater UltraMarathon.  Bart is the inventor of the torture training workout that are known as Yasso 800s and gas been inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions.  Although these are all fantastic accomplishments, Bart is probably the nicest person you will ever talk to and he is known for being a good listener. We talk about his thoughts on charity runners, his favorite race distance, and what it is like to win a race. He shares so much wisdom and knowledge and I'm thankful for the opportunity that I had to chat with him. 

Mentioned in the show:

My Life on the Run Book

Comrades Marathon

Race Everything Book

Great Wall Marathon

Rome Marathon

Boston Marathon

Team World Vision

Lyme Disease

Badwater Ultramarathon

Himalayan 100 Miler

Hanson’s Marathon Method

Galloway Training Method

Hal Higdon Training Plans

Rocky Run

Follow Bart:

• Instagram @bartyasso
• Facebook
• Twitter  @bartyasso

Follow Kelsey:

• Instagram @thegogirlblog
• Facebook
• Twitter @thegogirlblog
• Blog

Facebook group for the podcast

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a (5 star) rating/review on iTunes.

For full show notes, please visit www.thegogirlblog.com

On today's episode, I talk about one of my favorite parts of running...races! I list my top 10 favorite races and what is so great about each of them. Several are of the half marathon distance, but I also throw in a triathlon, two relays, a multi-event challenge.  Each of these races provided me with an awesome experience and I want to share each of these with you. 

On this episode: 

Downhill at Dawn Half Marathon

Downhill at Dawn Race Recap

Episode 8 with Elizabeth Heidal

Little Rock Marathon

Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon

Knoxville Marathon

Knoxville Marathon Race Recap

TriDeltaThon

Hood To Coast Relay

Hood to Coast Race Recap

Ragnar Vegas

Ragnar Vegas Race Recap

Indy Monumental Marathon

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon

Myrtle Beach Mini Race Recap 

Flying Pig

Flying Pig Race Recap

Follow Kelsey: 

Podcast Facebook group

Facebook

Instagram 

Twitter 

Blog

If you are loving this podcast, please leave a rating/review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts. 

Jess Hofheimer is a mom of 3 from North Carolina. She owns her own run coaching business and is a Pilates instructor at a local studio. Jess is an experienced marathoner and has run the Boston Marathon. On episode 11, she opens up about overtraining, her eating disorder, GI issues, and overcoming a major foot injury.  Jess is real and authentic as they come and her vulnerability on this episode to share her story is inspiring.  We talk about what marathon she is training for, how she fuels during a marathon, and about her friend Drea who has ALS. Enjoy listening to Jess's story. 

For full show notes, please visit :

https://thegogirlblog.com/

Follow Jess (@paceofme): 

Blog: https://paceofme.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paceofme/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paceofme/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paceofme

Follow Kelsey: 

Blog: https://thegogirlblog.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegogirlblog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegogirlblog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegogirlblog

Podcast Facebook Group

Mentioned in today's show:

Philadelphia Marathon

How to Train For and Run Your Best Marathon

Wrightsville Beach Marathon

Marine Corps Marathon

UCAN

Endurance Planet Podcast

Deep 30 Protein Powder

Muir Energy

Boston Marathon

Evolve Pilates

Jessica’s Online Store

ALS

Team Drea

Blackfish Movie

Please leave a rating/review if you are loving this podcast!

Leah Jones is a marketer from Lynchburg, Virginia who is on a mission to complete 50 half marathons before her 30th birthday. Most recently, she completed the Dopey Challenge in Disney World that consisted of a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon all in consecutive days.  She shares with us her running history, goals for the future, and how she made it through Dopey.

Follow Leah:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahelizabeth.j/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leah_elizabethj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahelizabethj/

Blog: https://leahelizabethj.wordpress.com/

Follow Kelsey:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegogirlblog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegogirlblog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegogirlblog/

Blog: https://thegogirlblog.com/

For full show notes, please visit my blog:

https://thegogirlblog.com

Mentioned in the show:

Keeping Up with Kelsey Podcast Facebook Group

Liberty University

RunDisney  

Dopey Challenge

Hanson Marathon Method

Richmond Marathon

Marine Corps Marathon

Blue Ridge Marathon  

Outer Banks Half

Race 13.1 Series

Lynchburg Half  

If you are loving the show, be sure to leave a rating/review on iTunes. 

Elizabeth Heidal is a runner from Mobile, Alabama who is racing the states and kicking major butt in the process. On this episode, we discuss the 48 states that she has completed, how she qualified for Boston, how she met her husband at a Ragnar race, and how she overcame being assaulted while on a run in 2012. She shares lots of wisdom when it comes to racing the states and which states and races stand out the most to her. Tune in and enjoy Elizabeth's story!

Follow Elizabeth:

Blog: http://www.runningforbling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningforbling/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningForBling/

Follow Kelsey:

Blog: https://thegogirlblog.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegogirlblog/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thegogirlblog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegogirlblog

For full show notes, please visit my blog:  

https://thegogirlblog.com/2018/01/01/keeping-up-with-kelsey-podcast-episode-8-elizabeth-heidal-running-for-bling/ 

If you are loving the show, please leave a rating and review. 

Latoya Shauntay Snell is a plus size runner from Brooklyn who recently found fame when an article she wrote about being heckled at the NYC Marathon went viral.  She shares her experience and how she reacted.  She also shares how she began running, what motivates her, and the truth behind being a plus size runner.  

Shauntay's Viral Article:  https://theglowup.theroot.com/im-a-plus-size-runner-and-i-got-heckled-at-the-nyc-mara-1820797012 

Follow Latoya:

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/iamlshauntay 

Twitter  https://twitter.com/latoyashauntay

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/runningfatchef 

Blog https://www.runningfatchef.com 

Follow Kelsey 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thegogirlblog/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/thegogirlblog

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/thegogirlblog/ 

Blog   https://thegogirlblog.com/ 

This episode is all about the F word.  No, not *that* F word.  The word fat.  I discuss my history with being fat and how I've come to terms with using the word in a non-negative way. If you have ever considered yourself fat, felt fat, or know someone that is fat, then this episode is for you.