Hi! My name is Kinley. Welcome to Better off Barefoot!
Kauai, HI
I really don’t remember what lead me to start running. I do remember I started running in college and didn’t take it very seriously at first. I ran a random 8k in 2008 and truly hated it. Then for some reason in 2010, I decided to train for a marathon. I totally failed at that one but ended up finishing my first half marathon in September 2010. Since 2010 I have completed 3 5ks, 1 5 miler, 4 10ks, 1 15k, 7 Half Marathons and 3.57 marathons (long story 
. I am currently struggling with balancing my love for running long distances with my propensity to over-train/injury myself…
Finishing a marathon was one of my life goals. I had wanted to run one by the time I was 25 but ended up finally crossing that finish line when I was 26! A pretty good age for marathoning, I think! It ended up taking me a false start and a cancelled race before I actually got to run 26.2 but it was totally worth it! Life time member of the Marathoner Club! I went on to run 2 more within 7 months of that first complete marathon. #overtrainer
A few other random things about me:
1) I live in Wisconsin and somehow prefer running in the cold, cold winter than when it is 80+ degrees.
2) I have a 13 year old puppy.
3) I am not a natural born runner. It does not come naturally to me and I try to get better at it every time I run but I will never run a 3hr something marathon or a 7 minute mile… I will always be a member of the slow runner club. But it’s really not the worst club to be in! Just think of how much more time I get to spend at races. I get my money’s worth!
4) My favorite distance to “race” is the half marathon. My current PR is 2:03:53. Someday I hope to go sub-2! I’m spending 2013 focusing on the 13.1 distance and shooting for a PR at some point.
5) ) I want to run a 5k with my dog. Too bad he weighs 9 lbs and to him that would be like running an ultra… he might still be up for it though – he’s hardcore like that
6) I am not afraid of running in the dark and actually kind of like the added suspense. But that means I sometimes have to wear flashing lights on my shirt (when I am feeling like I should be a responsible adult).
7) I ran the Disney marathon in January 2013 and despite detesting how packed you feel while running, I still caved and signed up for the Dumbo Double Dare to earn my Coast-to-Coast medal this year in California!!!!
8) I am very curious about cycling. I really want to give it a try but I am totally clueless about that whole realm of exercise. Also, swimming. I want to do a triathlon but well, you know it’s hard to do one without biking and swimming 
9) If I could only eat one dessert for the rest of my life, it would be a Babycakes Cookie Sandwich.
10) I would like to run in every state in the US. It does not need to be a race but at least a mile in the state to make it count. So far, I can cross off FL, HI,IN, MN, NV, NY, RI, TN, WI. Still a few more states to hit! I’d like to add IL to my list this year but we shall see…
12) If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in Hawaii. I wish I could visit every single year!
Now, how about you? Tell me something about your running history or goals!!
Hi Kinley,
I saw your comment on Chelsey’s blog that you signed up for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon.
I recently started a blog called Healthy Disney, the unofficial guide to getting healthy – with Disney, and at Disney. Every Wednesay we share posts from people who have run or are training for a race at the Disney parks, love healthy living and Disney, or simply want to share their Healthy Disney Story.
I would love to have you share your story on the blog. If you’re interested, please let me know. Then you just have to send your story, at least one photo of yourself (preferably from the race!), and a bio.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Lisa
–
Lisa Fine
healthydisney.com/
lisasfoods.com/
I’m so glad I came across your blog from KERF. We definitely have a lot in common and I’m totally going to keep visiting to see where your barefoot running journey takes you. Fun Fact: there’s a movie called “Running on the Sun” all about Badwater… It’s my dream to run an Ultra (not that one though) and it’s a running addicts dream movie.
Oh my! How do I not know about this movie! I need to watch that for sure! And I also secretly hope to run an ultra someday but first I better tackle a marathon first? I’ll be popping over to your blog momentarily
Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for stopping by Slowly But Surely! I’m really looking forward to reading your blog. It’s always nice to read about a Wisconsin runner since I’m there frequently due to my long distance relationship. Good luck with a 2012 Marathon, I’ll be cheering you on!
Yes, running in Wisconsin is interesting for sure – kidding
But it’s supposed to snow tomorrow so that will make things interesting 
Love your (new-to-me) blog!! I, too, am addicted to running – and can’t wait to follow your running adventures! To the marathon goal, I say: GO FOR IT!
Also, since reading Born to Run, I’ve been very intrigued by the whole barefoot technique. I haven’t taken the plunge, but it’s nice to hear that you’ve had such a good experience with it so far!
I have signed up for one!! May 20th! And Yes, I have been slow about transitioning to barefoot (plus running barefoot in the snow seems like no fun…) but I can tell my legs like my minimalistic shoes so much more then the corrective ones I used to have!
I have been contemplating trying some of the more minimalist shoes. Have you tried anything besides the Vibram five fingers? You should definitely try for the marathon. As long as you do all of the hard work training, you will be awesome. Good luck with your running adventures!
-Organic Runner Mom
Yes, I actually run in Saucony Kinvaras currently and love, love, love, love them! They are more transitional shoes so are making my feet stronger at the same time as they are still supporting them a little. They are also so light and fast I love them!
I am so glad you stopped by my blog so I could find yours! I am a runner too, but low iron levels have left me sidelined for quite some time now
I can’t wait to get my health in check and get back to the wonderful sport!
Hopefully your iron levels get back soon! Running is hard for me to take a break from but I am learning sometimes it just needs to be done!
Hi Kinley,
It was so good to read your story, and I am comforted to know that you share similar goals. Like yourself, I am desperately keen to run my first marathon in 2012 which I have set myself a goal to do in a little over 17 weeks. I am blessed to have a dog that joins me on my runs – she is my companion and confidant. I wish you all the very best in striving for your goals and look forward to following your future blogs.
In your most recent post, you mentioned the hope to travel. If you choose to follow my blogs, I hope to paint a picture of my home – Brisbane, Australia – so that might inspire you to come to this mighty, yet beautiful, island.
Take care,
Shane
Good luck with your training! It’s difficult but so worth it!
And I want to travel to Australia some day for sure! It’s just the long plane ride that holds me back…
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for your inspiration and for sharing your experiences. I would like to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award. http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
Hi! My name is Sue, and I’m from SlimKicker, a diet/fitness app and site. I bumped into your blog yesterday and it captured my interest!
I’m contacting you b/c we’re about to release a fitness tracker (similar to FitBit) early next year, and are looking for bloggers who would be interested in receiving 1 for free to review when it is out (negative or positive).
Would you be interested in doing this? You can email me at: sue (at) slimkicker (com) with ‘Review’ in the email heading if you are.
A brief explanation of who we are, our site SlimKicker basically turns your diet/fitness goals into a fun level-up game. The tracker will work in conjunction the website, and allow people to track calories burned and number of steps they walk automatically. The more they exercise, the more points they rack up! That’s basically how it will work.
Anyway, hope to hear back either way…
- Sue
P.S. You can choose not to publish this comment as this is more of a private comment