Kaylee Fredrick: The Wisdom of Youth

Kaylee Frederick, an 19-year-old ultra runner, shares her incredible journey of running ultras at a young age. Despite the challenges and doubts, Kaylee pushed herself to complete 31 ultras in a year, including the prestigious Badwater race. She discusses her motivations for running, the support and concerns from her parents, and the lessons she has learned from pushing through pain. Kaylee also highlights the importance of responsible training for teenagers and the sense of community she has found in the ultra running world. She inspires others to embrace discomfort and push their limits, regardless of age or background. In this conversation, Kaylee Frederick discusses her experiences as an ultra runner and her plans for the future. She reflects on the highlights of 2023, including setting a course record and becoming the youngest Badwater finisher. Kaylee emphasizes the importance of pushing boundaries and believing in limitless possibilities. Looking ahead to 2024, she plans to race less frequently but focus on improving her training. She also shares her goal of qualifying for the 24-hour national team. Kaylee discusses the challenges of balancing college and ultra training, highlighting her dedication and hard work. Despite her extraordinary achievements, she considers her love for iced coffee to be the most typical 19-year-old thing about her. Takeaways Running ultras at a young age requires responsible training and support from parents and coaches. Ultra running provides an opportunity to push physical and mental limits and inspire others to do the same. The ultra running community offers a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals who may feel like outcasts in other areas of life. Running can be a way to cope with trauma and find strength in discomfort. Achieving dreams and crossing finish lines requires perseverance, determination, and the support of a dedicated crew. Believe in limitless possibilities and push boundaries. Balancing college and ultra training requires dedication and hard work. Setting goals and focusing on training can lead to improved performance. Even exceptional individuals have typical aspects of their lives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Incredible Year 01:33 The Why Behind Running Ultras at a Young Age 03:20 Getting Into Ultra Running and Setting Goals 04:18 Support and Concerns from Parents 06:03 Running Ultra Marathons at a Young Age 07:37 Motivations for Running and Inspiring Others 08:56 Responsible Training for Teenagers 09:58 Balancing Mileage and Cross-Training 11:19 Finding Comfort in Discomfort 13:56 Running Ultra Marathons as an Outcast 15:26 Lessons Learned from Pushing Through Pain 17:41 The Desire for Discomfort and Pushing Limits 18:52 The Challenges of Being a Young Ultra Runner 20:38 The Ultra Running Community and Support 22:56 Dealing with Bullying and Trauma 25:06 Finding a Community in Ultra Running 27:27 Navigating Stereotypes and Misunderstandings 29:48 Getting into Badwater and Convincing Organizers 35:06 Building a Crew for Badwater 37:05 Training for Badwater in Pennsylvania 38:21 The Weight of Being the Youngest Badwater Finisher 41:37 The Experience of Running Badwater 44:06 Achieving the Dream and Crossing the Finish Line 44:09 Highlights of 2023 45:04 Lessons Learned in 2023 45:44 Plans for 2024 47:31 Balancing College and Ultra Training 49:23 The Most Typical 19-Year-Old Thing 50:30 Conclusion Support the Podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/theadventurejogger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices