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Run your First Ultra with Coaching Klutz

An ultrarunning coach for women & LGBTQIA+ runners

Welcome!

I’m so glad you made it here.

Out of all the coaches you could choose, I’m honored to be in the running (pun intended). I’ve helped 35+ runners chase their goals and would love to be a part of your journey.

(if we’re a good fit, of course)

Hi, I’m Kelly!

I’m a certified running/ultrarunning coach and certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). I have a passion for helping women and LGBTQIA+ folks train sustainably so they can enjoy training while dreaming big and pushing their limits.

I specialize in runners looking to break into ultramarathons. Ready to run your first 50k? You’ll want me on your team.

Click here to learn more about me and my core values.

Photo by Rebecca Sloan Photography.

Woman holding a phone and smiling. She's wear a beige crop top that says Coaching Klutz. black leggings and sunglasses. Her hair is in french braids.

What kind of run coaching are you interested in?

1:1 Monthly Coaching

1 Hour Coaching Call

Looking for a self guided running program or static plan?

Running Programs

TrainingPeaks Plans

coachingklutz

ultra coach for women & lgbtq+ runners🏳️‍🌈
🎙 the multifaceted athlete & @liftingrunninglivingpod
📍Arvada, CO & 🌎
👇🏼 run your first ultra with me

PSA: if you don’t train in unpleasant conditions

PSA: if you don’t train in unpleasant conditions*, you may be hindering your progress.

We don’t have this issue terribly much in Colorado, but most of the athletes I coach are all over the US and deal with this all the time.

Pros of training in unpleasant condies:
Builds mental strength
Enforces consistency
Good practice for race day if you might encounter the same conditions
Reinforces your commitment to yourself

It’s tough to get out the door when it’s rainy, cold, windy, hot - name your least favorite weather. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I am saying it’s worth it in the long run.

Sometimes it’s okay to defer to a treadmill, but if your choice is between running in bad weather or not running at all, I implore you to at least give it a shot.

*assuming conditions are safe. I’m not telling you to go running in a hurricane.*

#runningmotivation #runningtips #runningcoach #ultrarunning #ultrarunningcoach #ultrarunningcommunity #runningcommunity #runcoach

Are your expectations negatively affecting your ru

Are your expectations negatively affecting your running?

I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of “I feel like I should be faster” or “I feel like I’m regressing” with myself and my athletes lately.

I’m on the east coast right now. I live at altitude so running at sea level should be SO MUCH easier, right?

My run today did NOT feel much easier than normal though. Is it my fitness? Shouldn’t I feel better here?

Instead of letting this derail my run, I got curious (as I encourage my athletes to do).

Where did my expectations come from and what could be making this run not feel as easy?

My last sea level visit was in the winter. I ran my best 5k since college. The trip I remember before that was also winter, and I felt like I was flying. These are my expectations of sea level.

Cut to now:
It’s still summer, so it’s warm and humid, which I’m not used to (I ran at mid morning).
I flew in last night and stayed up later than usual, so I slept less than usual in a new environment.
I didn’t fuel as well as I should have yesterday with a 4 pm flight.
I’m in town for a funeral, so there is extra emotional stress.

Do you see how there’s a mismatch between what I expected and what is reality?

When you find expectations pop up, get curious. I’m not saying get rid of them, but don’t let them dictate how you feel about your running.

#runningmotivation #running #runcoach #runningcoach #ultrarunningcoach #50kcoach #runningmindset

Coaching athletes to run their first ultramarathon

Coaching athletes to run their first ultramarathon is kiiiind of my thing. 😉
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Here's some things I've learned:
➡️ There are many ways to train to succeed at an ultra, but the basics do apply.
Most runs should be easy, some should be hard (yes, ultrarunners need to do speedwork!). How this looks for each runner will be different though!
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➡️ Back to back long runs are super helpful....
...but they aren't the end all be all.
Training consistently for months matters more than completing one big back-to-back weekend.
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➡️ Train on the course if possible!
As race day approaches, training gets more specific, including terrain. If you have access to the course you'll be racing on, utilize it!
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Honorable mention: there are so many factors that affect success in ultras outside of physical training including fueling, gear, mental skills, environment, and crew/pacers. A great goal for your first ultra is to complete it and learn as much as possible along the way!
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Are you eying your first ultra in 2024? Let's chat. I have a 1:1 athlete spot just for you. 🫶🏼
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#ultrarunner #ultrarunning #ultramarathon #firsttimeultrarunner #ultrarunningcoach #runcoach #runningcoach #50ktraining #ultratraining

Calling all runners who obsess about their easy ru

Calling all runners who obsess about their easy run pace….you need to hear this. 🗣️

#easyrunning #runningtips #runningtraining #runcoach #runningcoach #runningmotivation

It's been a WHILE since our last group run, and I'

It's been a WHILE since our last group run, and I've missed y'all!
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Join us for ~1 hour on the trails for community and connection. We tend to stick together as a group and average 11-13 minute pace, depending on if we’re running or run/walking.
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These trails are wide and not technical, so they're perfect if this is your first time on trails!
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Please RSVP at the link in my bio! Hope to see you there. 🙂
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(feel free to DM me with any questions!)
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#runninggroup #grouprun #boulderrunner #denverrunner #nonbinaryrunner #transrunner #womenwhorun #lgbtq #lgbtqrunners #runningcoach #grouptrailrun #coachingklutz

Have you listened to Lucie’s experience at the L

Have you listened to Lucie’s experience at the Leadville 100 yet? 👀

Find The Multifaceted Athlete with Coaching Klutz wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧

#runningpodcast #runningpodcasts #runningcoach #runcoach #multifacetedathletepodcast #leadville100 #100miler #100milerace

Perfectionism has no place in training. Inevitabl

Perfectionism has no place in training.

Inevitably something will happen that prevents you from executing your training perfectly.

Instead of “all of nothing” thinking, try something like “good, better, best” thinking.

Let’s say you have an hour easy run on deck. How would “good, better, best” apply to this?

Good could be getting out for a run period.
Better could be running east for, say, 30-45 minutes.
Best would be running for an hour easy as planned.

All or nothing would have you doing either an hour or no run at all. Embrace the gray zone and release your need to be perfect.

(You can also apply this to many aspects of life like nutrition, sleep, work, etc)

Looking for help with this? Join my crew of athletes. I have 3 spots open for a September start. 💫

DM me COACHING to see if we’re a good fit.

#perfectionism #runningtips #running #runcoach #runningcoach #ultrarunning #ultratraining #runningmotivation #trainsustainably

Lucie is back on the podcast today after an AMAZIN

Lucie is back on the podcast today after an AMAZING debut 100 mile race at Leadville last month. As her coach and friend, it was so special being there, and I can’t wait for you to hear her perspective on the day, preparation and aftermath.
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We chat about logistics going into the race (crew and pacers - how to choose), a section by section recap of what happened during all 23 hours of the race, how Lucie's dealing post race and more.
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If you haven't already, check out episode 24 and episode 66 for more Lucie content.
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Enjoy!

📸: @petermaksimow
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#runningpodcast #runningpodcasts #runningcoach #runcoach #multifacetedathletepodcast #runningandclimbing #leadville100 #ultrarunning #100milerace

33 miles done!! ✅ (and a perfect weekend for 50

33 miles done!! ✅ (and a perfect weekend for 50 mile training)

Tomorrow is my actual birthday, and I’m so ready to sleep later than 5:30 am and have a rest day 😌

Highly recommend mini challenges like this, especially if you have no races on the calendar! Share with me if you choose to do a birthday challenge too! 🥳

#running #ultrarunning #birthdayrun #birthdaychallenge #runcoach #50miletraining #50miler #ultratraining

day 2 ✅ 6 more miles tomorrow and the birthday

day 2 ✅

6 more miles tomorrow and the birthday weekend challenge is complete 😎

NGL I was sore af when I woke up this morning and I wasn’t sure how this run would go. So I went to one of my favorite trails and remembered how it feels not to climb for half of the run and then struggle to descend 😌

#birthdaychallenge #birthdayrunchallenge #runcoach #ultrarunning #50miletraining #virgoseason

First weekend of September means it’s time for m

First weekend of September means it’s time for my BIRTHDAY WEEKEND CHALLENGE!!

(yes I am including Friday because Monday is my rest day and that is sacred)

I went into this run *intending* to run 33km and also leaving flexibility for the 33 miles in 3 days in case I changed my mind today.

I made it…..24km and change 😄 and that’s okay by me! That’s still 15 miles around 10,000” with some vert 🥳

18 more miles (probably) over the next 2 days!

[I say probably because my 50 miler matters the most. This was originally going to be a lower volume week so if my body demands less volume, we will be listening 🫡 the next 2-3 weekends are going to be big, and that is where my priorities lie]

#birthdayweekend #birthdaychallenge #runningchallenge #runcoach #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #50miletraining #ultrarunningcoach #runningcoach #trainsustainably

Need a group run to join in September? I'll be at

Need a group run to join in September? I'll be at all of these!
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9/6 at 7 AM at Skratch Labs Cafe in Boulder: For the Long Run x The Track Club group run (I'm leading the 10-11 minute pace group)
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9/6 at 6:30 PM in RiNo: Platform Strength run club (we usually go 2.5-3 miles total)
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9/17 at 7:30 AM in Superior: our monthly group trail run
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9/20 at 6:30 PM in RiNo: Platform Strength run club
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Which one(s) will you be attending? 🤩
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#runninggroup #grouprun #boulderrunner #denverrunner #nonbinaryrunner #transrunner #womenwhorun #lgbtq #lgbtqrunners #runningcoach #grouptrailrun #coachingklutz

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