This is the thirty-ninth edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where I get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.

Intro

My name is Kala Pedersen and I have a very average journey with running! It still feels weird to describe myself as a runner and in gym class growing up, I for sure walked the entire one mile test every year.

I moved to Duluth in 2010 to finish undergrad and quickly realized that I wasn’t going to be moving away from this incredible place. I ran my first ever 5k in December of 2012 wearing an awful pair of shoes, learned what shin splints and the phantom “runner’s high” felt like for the first time and the rest is history.

I submerged myself into running and to be honest, got very sick of it after over two years of obsessively signing up for races and chasing PR’s. I joined a CrossFit gym here in Duluth in 2015 and found a new love for exercise.

Several years of high intensity CrossFit workouts led to me discovering how much my running endurance increased and I slowly found my passion for running again. I try to find a healthy balance of both worlds now and I vowed to myself that I will never abandon running again!

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Overall health and wellness are very important to me, and running is a huge part of that. Mental/physical health are equally significant and when I run, I feel like I accomplish taking care of both. I hope by making the commitment to take care of my health now, I will still be able get out and move and enjoy the outdoors for many years to come!

What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?

It seems like I always have an aching foot, a sore ankle or a hip flexor that feels too tight—usually occurring after failing to prioritize pre/post run stretching or not taking rest days when my body is telling me to. I’ve learned to find joy in spending time doing yoga and other low impact activities that support a healthy running journey.

What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?

I am deeply grateful that I even have the option to decide if I should workout or not — something I will never take for granted. When I am feeling lousy, I try to remember how freaking lucky I am to have a healthy, strong and capable body…that usually gets me out the door.

Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?

I have a few friends that I run with every so often and reach out to for tips, but for the most part I am a solo runner.

Pro: I can walk anytime I want and not feel bad.

Con: I can walk anytime I want and not feel bad 😊

The coaches at IST CrossFit have also really helped me navigate finding a balance with running and have been an essential part of my overall health and wellness journey over the last (almost) 6 years. 

When/what is your next race?

Really hoping we’ll be able to gather in person for WhistleStop Half Marathon 2021. It is by far my favorite race! I am also really interested in trying a longer trail race in the future.

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

Trails!!! First and foremost, because my joints appreciate it. Second, because nature! The Northland has an unlimited number of trails to explore, each one unique and exhilarating. I re-fall in love with trail running with each season change—especially the magic of winter trail running!  

What do you think about while your run?

I tend to have great ideas when I am running but seem to always forget them as soon as I get home. Being in the woods and really taking in the beauty of nature is often when I feel closest to God and I find a lot of peace in that connection while I am running. Other times, I am responding to emails in my head or thinking about what I want to eat when I’m done.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

My favorite personal achievement is shifting my thought process from defining success as accomplishing a certain pace to defining success as simply getting outside and moving my body.

Historically, I would set out to achieve a specific pace and if I didn’t, I would carry disappointment with me for the rest of the day. It almost completely turned me away from running in general because it felt like I was never good enough or getting better—which was such a disservice to my body and mental health. 

These days I try to honor the work I put in whether it’s 3 miles or 10 miles—at a 9 minute/mile pace or a 12 minute/mile pace. Most importantly, I have fun when I am out running now. It has made my connection to running/exercise so much stronger and I rarely dread going out for a run anymore.

Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).

Knock on wood, but I don’t have any experiences I would consider *that* bad. I severely twisted my ankle on the first leg of a Ragnar trail race in Wisconsin and proceeded to run the rest of the weekend. The weekend overall was so much fun though, I have a hard time dismissing it!

What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?

During COVID times when most days feel challenging in one way or another, I want to remind you that you are doing a great job. You are important, you are enough and your presence on this earth makes a difference!!

Closing

Many thanks to Kala for agreeing to stop by The Duluth Runner and share some of her knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!