No matter how much you love running, all runners should strive to be athletes for success and longevity in the sport. Being well-rounded in pursuit of your goals can make you strong and fit for the long haul, both mentally and physically.

This week's guest on the podcast is a mountain runner, climber, hiker and snowboarder. Kelly Halpin has a passion for exploring remote wilderness, often on her own. 

Kelly's incredibly diverse background has shaped her into the athlete she is today. She has the distinction of earning 14 FKTs (Fastest Known Times) on routes throughout Wyoming, Montana, Utah and California. Most of them have been unsupported - meaning she did them with no assistance and carried everything she needed with her -  sometimes for multiple days.

Kelly is also a prolific artist who uses her talent as an illustrator to encourage others to explore the outdoors. As a professional runner with so many unique interests, Kelly brings a unique perspective to athletes in a variety of sports. 

Kelly and I touch on a number of topics that runners and other athletes can relate to, including:

• Kelly's breadth and depth as an athlete
• How she balances her love for so many competitive sports
• Advice for parents who want to expose their kids to a variety of outdoor adventures
• How Kelly transitioned her love for the outdoors into a full time career
• The way her athletic lifestyle influences her art.
• The details behind Kelly's extensive warmup routine

Enjoy my unique and dynamic conversation with Kelly!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Learn more about Kelly on her website
• Check out Kelly's artwork
• Follow Kelly on Facebook and Instagram

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet.  Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology. 

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

Thank you Spartan Race Series!

You've probably heard of Spartan Races - but you probably don't know that they offer such a wide variety of types of races. From short to long-distance obstacle courses - and even ultra distances, to trail races, stadium races, and even city races in major metropolitan areas. 

What I love about obstacle course races is that they are a great diagnostic tool to help you pinpoint what area of your fitness is lacking. Do you have a general aerobic deficiency? Do you struggle with upper body strength? Can you handle the stop and start nature of OCR's? Do you have the mobility to perform the obstacles? 

Signing up for a race that challenges you in a different way can help you find out more about yourself as an athlete. Ever since I tried my first obstacle course race in 2012, I've loved these events. They are demanding and require you to be a well-rounded athlete, something that I wholeheartedly endorse here on this podcast. Go to spartan.com to find a local race near you. If you're in Colorado, I hope to see you on June 12th at the Colorado Springs Spartan Race.