My Run Journey & Training to Run a 100 Mile Ultramarathon

[@DavidWisehart]

Running ultras seems like a natural next step after thru-hiking. I'm running my first 50K next week, after finishing the PCT sobo in November. I'm hoping my hiking fitness will see me through. Glad to see you're still chasing big goals. My favorite definition of happiness is "making progress toward a worthy goal." Wishing you a happy and fun training season.

[@jessejones1104]

I’ve been watching your videos for a little under a year now and they’re awesome and it’s cool to see that you’re doing ultramarathon. I’ve been doing CrossFit for a couple years now running 5K‘s and 10ks and now I’m training for a half marathon and it’s looking like I’m headed towards the ultramarathon or hundred mile whatever it is. Thanks for inspiration.

[@salparadise7412]

I’m a 42 year old dude and your videos have inspired me to be more active and touch more grass. Keep killing it!

[@Stalinwithrizz]

Go touch grass, bud.

[@salparadise7412]

😂

[@HH-li5xl]

So excited to watch your running journey!! Thank you for sharing it with us . Like always , I’ll be cheering for ya Kelly !

[@jodiearrington]

You're an endless source of inspiration. Thank you Kelly.....

[@OneEyeHikes]

Exciting! Don’t burn out but your desire is palpable. Go get it!

[@maril.9344]

Currently binge watching your CDT hike. Love the videos! Keep it up!

[@leedanielson7452]

Kelly, you are so motivated!!! I'm wishing you the best of luck in all of your training!!!! Can't wait for all the videos you will have coming out this year....🥰👍👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@dannyjamison8337]

Looking forward to seeing your activities this year! Good luck, stay healthy, stay strong.

[@Jaxon1776]

Looking good Hays. Fit and healthy. Love it.

[@naturalstatenomads4528]

Yes!!! So glad you’re doing Traveller! It’s such a well supported race! Happy to help if you need a pacer

[@mattman_outside]

This is awesome! Looking forward to following your journey! Good luck to you in your training and races!

[@moremoney2]

I’m hooked at following your escapades. Your positive upbeat outlook and non-hyper personality is great to watch. Would love to hear more about your exercises, as I have been dealing with a hip flexor issue for several months. Since you are a dietitian I would love learning hearing more about nutrition, vitamins and supplements. I was glad to see you do a trail hike on your back to back days. I am trying to learn how to slow down and do a majority of training in zone 2 HR in order to build a base. Also good you have workout partners to train with.

[@jamesjustin5095]

I had to look to see what you were up to because this dang computer didn't notify me. Love watching your videos. Did not know about the lung issues you had. Glad your staying healthy and fit. Hope to run into you in 2025 somewhere. Take care!

[@BecCook]

Love this! Thanks for sharing Kelly. I run ultras and love trail running and really love this new content, thank you. Good luck with your training!❤️✌🏼

[@TimShelnut]

Yay this will be awesome! I've ran a few 100s the hardest that I think there is that I paced friend in this past year was the Ouray 100. You got some good gear and off to a great start! Keep it up

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Excited for the ultra crossover! You’ll crush it, we’re basically hiking these things anyway 😅

[@staxx7753]

ryannn where have you been ive been missing your videos lol , hope all has been going real good for you & hope to see you at a race here in Arkansas sometime. take care

[@davidb5260]

Yes! Repping that Florida trail

[@desmondhamm9219]

I have bad hip pain when I trail run too. Good luck with your journey

[@susansharp112]

This is great. Fun to watch from the beginning. Thanks again Kelly. Educational indeed

[@jasonlavere5071]

I'm turning 46 in two days and I've recently just discovered ultra running. I've been training a couple of months now and I'm really enjoying the challenges it gives me. I thought my best athletics days were behind me, but I actually feel myself getting stronger. I also thought getting in long runs and pushing myself harder was correct, but I'm actually doing better with shorter runs and controlling my heart rate. I found you on Stava and followed you. Maybe we'll cross paths at an event sometime. I live in N. Alabama but we have a van we travel in all over when we get a chance. Best luck this year with your goals!

[@kellyhays23]

Very cool! Thank you for sharing!!!! Running is so cool bc the more you do it the stronger you get and you can experiment with different types of runs! Such a fun sport that you can start at any age!! See ya out there!

[@tonymorris1571]

Happy New Year Kelly 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@Oneoneone111One]

Very cool! Good luck!

[@SiriusScientist]

Glad to follow your training journey! I have my first ultra this Spring here in northern New England, but I’m originally from the Ozarks in Arkansas and was hoping to try to time a visit with family and an event either this fall or in early 2026.

[@wildeone1636]

So excited to follow your journey. Interested in seeing some of the rehab you're doing for your hip.

[@kellyhays23]

@@wildeone1636 I will share!!

[@Iron-Outdoor]

Good luck! 💪🏼 Thanks for sharing this!

[@joedirte4485]

Looking good !! Looking forward to the new direction !

[@cwesley2005]

Kelly Hays you are awesome!!!! Keep crushing it!!!

[@joankline343]

Gosh Kelly you sure do live a fun and exciting life! You wouldn't think you'd have enough time to recuperate and rest up from your last Hike. 😅. That's a beautiful area to train in and I'm glad that you have someone to train with. Good luck to you as you prepare yourself for the 100 mile race. I know that it'll be exceptional. Be careful & Have fun! 🥇🏃🎉🙏

[@monsterhog1118]

I would run those trails around Kyle's landing when I was younger. Its a beautiful area.

[@JasonSnailer]

So exciting K. I’m working on being able to participate in 5-10ks this year so this is inspirational!

[@ironscott]

I've known Patty for a long time. She's a great coach and athlete and a wonderful person. Her husband is an incredible coach and runner as well. Good luck on your journey.

[@BrawndoDrinker]

25 the year of Run Hays Run! If you have a chiro or really good PT, have them check your ankles, knees, and hips to make sure there are no impingement or alignment issues. I had a hip injury from whitewater kayaking when I was 19, and have been dealing with it ever since. As they say, its all connected, so I always make sure I don't have a misalignment prior to any new strengthening effort, because you don't want to train your muscles to keep the parts out of alignment. Chronic or recurring pain tends to reflect a bio mechanical issue in my experience. YMMV

[@kellyhays23]

Interesting! I’ve never had hip pain like that, mine is all muscular inflammation from all the miles I walked/ran last year! I have both an amazing PT and chiro so I’m in good hands and don’t anticipate the hips being an issue long term

[@ThLONErRiZIONUp-rq6dw]

U go Kelly getting prepared 4 a 100 mile run wow

[@RickINFJ]

4:21

[@teamdirtandvert8467]

Great choice with Traveller!

[@forrestwhite8052]

I always love your vlogs. Thanks for sharing

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Such a beast .... Applying what's needed to succeed in a physical challenge is so much more as aging enters the game ... look forward to see you show how it's done ...

[@kellyhays23]

Hahaha I think I have a while till I have to balance aging in the mix too, thankfully! But hoping while I’m young I can build a strong foundation for when I do get older and do these kinda things

[@markhayes1605]

You go girl

[@stevetrimborn3739]

Dang! Impressive. That strava run along view is really cool.

[@shannonpayne6939]

Makes me want to do the Buffalo River Trail again!

[@reinman3]

Watched u for a couple years.. just saw Jordan posters is your room and ur going after ultras... now I'm a subscriber

[@jasonjones5213]

Beautiful trails to train on.

[@Theclaw1981]

Keep doing whatever it is that you’re doing, looking so healthy these days!

[@conradburdekin722]

7:30 for your first 50k (with that elevation) is really good 👍👍

[@rangerinthewoods]

Have fun Kelly. From HYOH to RYOR. If the south keeps getting snow, x-country skiing will give you a good workout. 😊

[@nam_hn]

So excited for you!

[@kellyhays23]

Thanks nam!!

[@adrunner9]

Here from threads! Can’t believe it took me this long to find your channel! Good video so far!!

[@glennwilson6249]

Ultra marathons are nuts. Good luck 🍀 Enjoy it. Remember you’re having fun😂lol

[@croexpress2167]

hiking during ultra is what makes difference. your legs and body are more adapted for Ultra, than you think. time on feet. decent running pace on flat, careful downhill running, hiking uphill. practice eating on the move. enjoy it

[@kellyhays23]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@earlenepreher193]

Love this. Stay healthy

[@billymantz805]

When even thru hike is not enough anymore…UTMB and ultras is the next lvl…I did the same

[@hikerbikerclutz8377]

Look here miss kelly! Maybe leave some physical dominance for others too. Lol Youre a natural and i cant wait to watch you take em all to school in the 100 miler. 🤘💛🤘💛 now get out there and show em what ya got

[@kellyhays23]

Thanks rob :)

[@karmahavok]

Hi fellow Arkie. I've also just (re)started on my running journey albeit at 42 (so old). Hope to see you at some in state ultras. That run on the BRT from Steel to Kyles has been on my list for a while. I've hiked that section several times. Time to run it.

[@karmahavok]

Oh, you're going from Erbie, anyway...still cool :D

[@kellyhays23]

42 is so young in running years! Seems like most folks peak in their 40s/50s with running!

[@karmahavok]

@@kellyhays23 For sure. I'm targeting 2 years for my first 100, but we'll see how 2025 goes first. Training for a 50k by end of the year.

[@julesmcsmith]

Love your vlogs!! What an exciting year you have planned! Thrive in 2025 Kelly!❤

[@michaelbowers4648]

You're Pretty Amazing!!! I've been following you, subscriber also, on youtube on and off since your AT thru hike. # BadAss

[@mrgatorzx]

I've been following you s long time and love your adventure videos ❤. Not to sound weird in any way but 😂 I have to say your natural hair color is amazing ❤🎉

[@markviers998]

Take a look at Mountain Masochist or Hellgate here in VA, both have 100K's if you're interested in some late fall, early winter runs.

[@shaypridgen17]

I did a Marathon a couple months ago and it killed me lol 100 miles?! Crazy

[@richardthorne2804]

Looking forward to following your journey in 2025, running long distances has never been my strength but 40 yard dash was. I was pretty quick. I ran 4.6 in my prime. 😊

[@widilbee]

Get it! following on Strava.

[@staxx7753]

trailrunning ❤ . doing trail running its best to add in strength training to help prevent injuries & become a strong runner & stay consistent & lots of stretching routines also . not sure if you get on ultrasignup it shows alot of upcoming races in Arkansas & surrounding areas ,my niece & several friends are doing village creek 25k 1-25-25 in wynne arkansas & they have the 3days of raceing at sylamore in march i believe a 50mile,50k & 20k & of course my fav race petit jean 20k around the 1st of april . good luck in your training & the main thing is to have fun 🌲🌳🏕🏃🏼‍♀️

[@hikersynthesizer]

Is that a new Frogg Toggs jacket? 🧐 Thanks for taking us along!

[@user-David-Alan]

Thanks for the video. Did you have time to finish the van? Just wondering if you have any idea what causes your hips to hurt? Please take care of yourself and be careful on the trails. Nice snow you had there. Best wishes for your new year. Cheers from Florida.

[@kellyhays23]

Just overuse from so many miles last year!

[@skebqc]

Coming from an hiking background too, I feel running was a very natural upgrade. I'm on a similar path, I wish you lots of fun ahead! Any fastpacking trips/plans?

[@kellyhays23]

Yes planning to fast pack a few trails! Still getting these planned :)

[@troyfarris9542]

Hi Kelly, You're an amazing inspiration for me. Thank you very much for sharing your life, journeys, and thoughts. Keep in touch with your body. Take care of the ankle and the rest of your joints...just saying 😊

[@kellyhays23]

Thanks! & My joints are healthy and doing great!

[@troyfarris9542]

Love it! Keep it up!​@@kellyhays23

[@agnesskibicka]

​@@troyfarris9542yes!! Hi from my rural videos 😊!!

[@wilmertsch]

The best of luck on your 2025 trail running adventure!

[@drewmorris349]

I was signed up to run the war eagle race last year as well! (25k) I’m hoping to do it this year if I can get my knee feeling solid again.

[@Ja50nkAt]

I ran/hiked 42 miles with 10,000ft gain in 16 hours around Mt. Hood in Oregon and it was rough, last 5 miles with a torn meniscus. Never going that far in a day ever again. Hiking/backpacking yes, running more than 5 miles no longer interest me. Listen to your body and don't push it if you feel injured.

[@kellyhays23]

Sorry that happened to you!

[@girthakian]

Please stay safe and prep accordingly. You can never bring too much of the necessary. Cheers

[@k6lsn]

Kelly! Look into PRP Injections if you haven't already. Platelet rich plasma from your own blood, easy procedure. I've done my shoulders twice ( paraplegic since 1984 ) and the results were very good. Recommend. Ask your doc! Seriously. ✌️

[@kellyhays23]

Nice! Don’t think the hips are bad enough for anything like that but I’ve heard that prp is good for injuries! Glad it helped your shoulders!

[@sapoverde65]

Have you seen a hip specialist one of those falls on the CDT could have caused an injury that you’re not aware of internally liking your hip socket. Anyway, you could join a swimming club and do laps that would condition you without being high impact.

[@kellyhays23]

@@sapoverde65 no, my hips are not injured to that degree.

[@zaftra]

Doctors were shoveling anti biotics down mum's for throat for years, she started having all sorts of problems, eventually, in hospital, they diagnoses delirium hypoatreamia, she recovered from this, antibiotics still fed, got it a second time, recovered, antibiotics still fed, got it a third time, never recovered from the third. Wasn't till a nurse had to idea to scan mums bladder that it was found it wasn't emptying properly and didn't need the 10 years of antibiotics. The excuse is, oh she's 81 it's dementia, if it is, I know what caused it. Lack of salt also caused irregualar heart beast, suprising what low salt can do.

[@enjoyfitnessjax]

I am happy to see you have a coach and physio. I was getting nervous.

[@kellyhays23]

@@enjoyfitnessjax I would have been fine either way!

[@enjoyfitnessjax]

@kellyhays23 that's because you still have 5 lives left.

[@kellyhays23]

@@enjoyfitnessjax hahaha still 8!

[@sapoverde65]

Have you tried the gel energy squeeze packs. If running doesn’t work out try cycling 🚴

[@kellyhays23]

@@sapoverde65 yes, I don’t like gels!

[@154362ify]

Great video

[@ricodelavega4511]

where was this run? i didnt see a Strava link. It looks like Barkely marathon terrain. admittedly, i fast forwarded thru the yapping part of the video, and right to the trails part. i'm all about the trails and running through the wilderness, so i congratulate you.

[@kellyhays23]

@@ricodelavega4511 if you listened to the yapping you’d know 😉

[@rayzergarcia3692]

Looking forward to all your challenges on 2025 you go girl remind me when I was young all I could think was about doing half marathon running 6 miles every other day bodybuilding rock climbing and love hiking I did Yosemite Half Dome twice so I enjoy watching your videos don't look my age but I'm 66 years old now and I'm still trying to do two mile walks every day I love running but I can't run anymore injure my right and left knee 2 meniscus tears on the right one on the left I really miss running and yes that picture is what I look like now thank you Jesus for my whole Adventure life you go girl my Lord Jesus Christ always watch out to you 😊

[@captainandrewcrabtree]

Turtle wins the race! Stay safe 👍

[@twagn]

I've run four marathons (just 26.2 miles)and found the training much tougher than the race itself

[@kellyhays23]

For sure!

[@JAXBusinessReview]

I wish you well on your training. There is an ultra runner named Chad Wright you might like. Thanks for your videos!

[@LifeThroughTheTube]

Kelly, how tall are you? Hello from Miami, FL! Love the vids.

[@susansharp112]

Kelly does your running coach and PT advise what tennis shoes to run in especially with your hip pain? There are many ideas of what shoes to wear!

[@kellyhays23]

@@susansharp112 no my issue is mostly stemming from overuse/hip flexor weakness so shoes have not been a concern this far!

[@susansharp112]

Ok thanks. I wondered because I have hip issues. Thanks

[@fitflowerchild9784]

Good job Kelly 😉

[@kellyhays23]

@@fitflowerchild9784 good job to you McKensie!😁

[@alanspears-cs6hh]

Beats the heck out of that nutritionist job!

[@kellyhays23]

I’m a registered dietitian* and I love my job! I think I might still work some while doing this training!

[@MarPisces1978]

Suggestion: utilize bands to build up your hip flexors, butt, inner and outer thighs

[@kellyhays23]

@@MarPisces1978 yes my PT had me doing these exercises

[@Scarywoody]

My wife 60, has done three Goofy races at disney. A half one day full next day.

[@rockercover]

What ambition you have... 100 miles. Wow... 👍

[@Aorist1]

38 weeks for 100 is a bit short - I trained for 12 months and think I need another 12 months. But everyone is different. My current plan is too little for me and I feel like I could do twice as much. My trainer says "Only do the units I tell you to do, but do them 100%." ​​Let's see if it works. Good luck! And don't overdo it.

[@kellyhays23]

Having so much time on my feet at baseline definitely helps give me a leg up on training.

[@xbonezds]

2025 will be my second attempt at a 100 miles. Following your journey while I embark on mine

[@kellyhays23]

@@xbonezds good luck!!!

[@xbonezds]

@kellyhays23 and likewise to you

[@motherdaughtertravels]

Great video as always..Beautiful views. Go Girl at 57 i wish i would have done stuff like that at your age.

[@wendypelaez9305]

Maybe imaging done on that hip for a diagnosis.

[@kellyhays23]

If they continue to hurt, I will. but no pain after a week’s rest and stating PT.

[@tbenedict6335]

Magnesium supplement for hip pain.

[@kellyhays23]

I take magnesium everyday

[@deshawniskeng-mixedmediatv]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hhawg1]

Hi Kelly. Love your videos. Your an amazing lady. I was wondering about what wrist gps your wearing.

[@kellyhays23]

Coros apex 2

[@vibelife5133]

💪

[@bullit4x]

SLO-mo Slo-mo Slo-mo

[@uoobwatcher]

Please get your hip X-rayed. The hip pain that I endured for a few years turned into total hip replacement. Don’t wait to long.

[@kellyhays23]

Sorry that happened to you! Luckily my hip does not hurt to that degree and if it did or starts I’ll investigate further. My issues are all muscular and are being managed with strengthening exercises which I’m pain free since startibg

[@travissapp4961]

Hi how have you been doing

[@HikingWithShawn]

Great video. What are barefoot shoes? They sound interesting!

[@kellyhays23]

Vivobarefoot is the brand! They are zero drop with minimal cushioning

[@HikingWithShawn]

@@kellyhays23 Cool. Thank you!