What sort of training, nutrition and kit does it take to complete the most difficult adventure race in the world? The Barkley Marathons!
John ‘Random Forest Runner’ Kelly is one of the 15 people to have ever finished the brutal challenge, since it began in 1986.
And we’re lucky enough to have him do an interview on JamesRunsFar.
In this article, John tells us:
The way he approaches failure and how we should all look at it
How he manages time between a family of five, a full-time job and taking on mega-challenges
Running training tips and the kit and nutrition he uses
This is the fourth and final interview in ‘inspiration month'. The other interviews included:
Expert pacer Paul Addicott - who has paced more than 80 races
Mountain Man Matt Poulton. He’s on a mission to run all the 284 Munros of Scotland, the 214 Wainwrights of Cumbria and the 3 classic rounds - The Bob Graham Round, the Paddy Buckley Round and the Ramsay Round
Adam ‘Tango’ Holland - Who has competed in almost 450 marathons and ultra-marathons. And has won more than 200!
JamesRunsFar: Hi John. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me. First, could you give us an overview of your running background, please
John Kelly: I ran track and cross country in high school, but then took about a decade off in college and grad school.
I did keep hiking though, which is what eventually led me to trail running.
John Kelly has completed some of the biggest and toughest ultra-events in the world. And continues to challenge himself with adventures that he’s self-created like ‘The Grand Round’. Photo: Stasulli Photo
JRF: You’ve done Ironman triathlons and crazy, ultra-running adventure races like the Barkley Marathons. What’s your preference. And why?
JK: My passion is for the mountains and running.
I never enjoyed swimming (and wasn't very good at it).
The ultra-running community and atmosphere is also just a better personal fit for me.
JRF: What’s your proudest, endurance based accomplishment?
JK: I think it would be pretty ridiculous if it were anything other than Barkley.
JRF: You’ve written a lot about the way you approach ‘failure’ and reaching for huge goals. What’s the biggest lesson you’d like people to learn from that?
JK: Don't be afraid of failure.
And measure success not by the outcome, but by how far you've come.
Set a long term goal and then pick smaller ones based on how much closer their attempt will bring you to the big one.
If the attempt is a "failure" then so be it.
JRF: What’s your favourite challenge or race you’ve done?
JK: Again, would be pretty ridiculous to not say Barkley here.
The Grand Round and others I've done have also been incredible experiences though.
John is one of the few people to have completed the Barkley Marathons. Here he is with the creator of the event, the infamous Lazarus Lake. Photo: Leon Lutz
JRF: If resources like time and money weren’t a factor, what challenge or race would you love to take on?
JK: FKT’s (fastest known times) on long trails.
JRF: You’ve got 3 children, including twins, a high profile job, you do these huge challenges regularly and you write in-depth blogs. How do you fit it all in? And how do you prioritise your time?
JK: For one, by not immediately responding to everyone who sends me questions or a message! ;-)
I box those up until I have a good time window where I can knock them all out at once, preferably when I can't do anything that productive (like now, on a plane with no WiFi).
That way the small things don't disrupt my larger tasks and no moment is wasted.
I also don't really have any small personal things I do.
I spend time with my family, I work, and I run. That's it.
I don't go to the pub or watch the game or have any other hobbies.
Run commuting has also been huge, and has been almost all of my weekday mileage for years now.
JRF: What are your top tips for training for the readers of JamesRunsFar?
JK: The training you can do is much better than the training you wish you could do.
If you're limited on time don't waste half of it trying to get to the perfect location or creating the perfect workout.
Just run.
JRF: What food and kit do you use and recommend?
JK: La Sportiva, Ultimate Direction, Hammer Nutrition, and XOSKIN (all sponsors, but because I use their stuff, not vice versa)
JRF: You’re open and honest about the fact that you have a very sweet tooth. But what’s your favourite dessert?
JK: This Greek restaurant in Palo Alto called Evvia makes a dessert called galaktoboureko.
It is incomprehensibly amazing.
John Kelly loves running in the mountains in particular. And one of his big goals is to try and set fastest known times on some of the longest trails around. Photo by: @dmateuf
JRF: What’s next?
JK: The Spine Race
JRF: Where can people follow you?
JK: www.randomforestrunner.com
JRF: Thanks so much for taking the time to give us such great advice and insight.
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