Get to know Kaitlyn Donahue

Each month we feature different members of the Spewak Training family. This month we are honored to share Kaitlyn Donahue's story. Kaitlyn has been a member of the team for over a year and has made a very positive impact on our team on and off the roads. Enjoy this interview!  

CS: When did you start running?KD: I started running in 2014. I had gained weight with my first daughter Morgan and was looking to become healthier. When I first started my goal was to run a half marathon. I also signed up for a few different 5k races. I followed a plan off Pinterest and was able to accomplish that first feat of running a half in the fall of the 2014 at the St. Louis Rock n Roll Half. After that race, I knew I wanted redemption after having stomach issues from the GU Chews. I ended up signing up for another half in the spring of 2015. That’s really how my running journey began! 

CS: As you got started in the sport, what expectations did you have for yourself?

KD: I didn’t really have too many expectations other than that I wanted to run for my daughter Morgan. She was my inspiration. I planned to do two races a year and commit to training 12 weeks for each race which seemed like a lot at the time. Running really helped me with my stress and anxiety. I realized that running made me feel healthier mentally and physically. As I grew to love running and the benefits from it, I knew I needed to be more consistent and do it more! 

CS: What led you to wanting to be more consistent with your training outside of enjoying the benefits of distance running?

KD: I knew that I wanted to break 2 hours in the half marathon. I was not that far off when I first started. However, due to inconsistent training I unfortunately got a stress fracture. I knew that if I wanted to continue to do this sport at my best while enjoying the mental and physical aspects that I was going to need to spend more time training for future races. 

CS: In what ways have you become a more serious runner?

KD: I think overall spending more time running consistently has led me to having more specific goals. Knowing that 2 hours was a goal I wanted to break inspired me to train more. Also, I used to only run in headphones. After I had my second child, I stopped wearing headphones and that made such a big difference in my level of focus while training and competing. With how hard I have worked these last few years, I could never see myself going back to being an inconsistent runner. My mindset has shifted so much. 

CS: Your husband Brennan is also a member of Spewak Training and is arguably one of your biggest cheerleaders. Can you please share more about your “running” relationship with Brennan? 

KD: I feel so lucky to have a husband that understands the sport and the process. He does a great job of keeping me motivated by encouraging me and giving me pep talks when I need them. When I first started running Brennan wasn’t a runner. Then, we ran a race together and it wasn’t a great experience for him. He did an amazing job cheering me on from the sidelines while I continued to train for my races. Then, Brennan got back into running 2018 and it’s been an amazing experience for us both. He’s so competitive and really inspires me. Knowing how rough his first race was and how well he’s doing now is just incredible. We really are the ultimate teammates that have a great partnership. We take turns with our long runs and make sure we both can complete our schedules for the week. 

CS: I know Brennan has cheered you on at many of your races. Are there any races that come to mind where Brennan got to see you run that you feel are worth sharing?

KD: Absolutely! When I ran the Cowbell Half Marathon which was my fastest one to date in 2:06, Brennan had a surprise for me. He drove me to the race that morning and was there to cheer me on. While I raced he had breakfast while I ran. Before the race, I missed my corral and ended up running the first 3 miles too fast to catch up to the 2 hour pacer. I was frantic and when I hit mile 9 I ended up texting him saying I was a failure. Then, for whatever reason there were no more updates on the tracker from me. He freaked out and tried to see if anyone knew what happened to me. When I finally crossed the finish line he learned I was okay! Little did I know that he was not just worried about me being okay but what was going to happen next. At Cowbell when you get to ring the bell when you run a PR. He took me over to the bell and saw he wanted to get a photo of me with him in it. When the photographer went to take the photo, he went down on one knee and proposed to me. He had the race director and photographers in on what he was doing. Then, I looked over and saw that my friends and family were there. I was so surprised! That was definitely a memorable race to share! 

CS: Throughout the pandemic, many people on our team excelled despite there being no races to train for. You are a shining example of someone who has put the work in this past year and is now seeing positive results. Can you explain how the pandemic motivated your running?

KD: In the beginning of the pandemic I was at home for 10 weeks with the kids. We were trying to find things to do together. My daughter Morgan is old enough to ride her bike with me while I pushed the baby in the stroller. It was really quality family time for us all. When I had the opportunity to run alone, it really allowed me to relieve stress and clear my mind. I became a better mom and I was so fortunate that no one could take running away from me during such a stressful time. I never really was much of a group runner so I felt pretty prepared to run solo and that was to my advantage as I trained without any clear goals on the horizon. 

CS: Brennan and you weren’t the only ones in the household who became better runners during that time period. Can you please speak on that. 

KD: Yes! My daughter Morgan became so inspired to run because of our pandemic runs. She really wants to run 3 miles but we keep her at 1 mile. She also loves biking so our workouts together really made her enjoy fitness. She would set her alarm early to exercise in the pandemic. It was amazing seeing her workout with us at 5:45 a.m. 

CS: How do you handle the pressure of being a working mother while still training for these long distance events?

KD: It really helps having a coach through Spewak Training. When I get Coach Spewak’s email on Sundays, I immediately figure out when I will be able to run each day in the week. I think of the Nike quote, “just do it,” and that inspires me to not overthink all the things I have going on. I try to be really flexible and if I miss a run, I find a way to make it up. Since I don’t work from home I don’t have the ability to run at different times of the day. Knowing that my schedule is difficult makes me more regimented and focused on being consistent with my routine each day.  

CS: Do you have any goals for yourself in 2021 assuming we have the chance to race?

KD: I still have the goal of chasing 2 hours in the half marathon. My goal is also to continue to focus on being consistent. I can see that there are positive results that come as a result of consistent training. I have to remind myself to not get lazy. On Garmin I have a quote that’s on the watch that says, “success isn’t given, it’s earned.”

CS: I always enjoy asking our runners this question. Are there any unique things about you that you would like to share?

KD: Yes! In 2006 I was in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. Our high school's cheerleading team had this once in a life time opportunity that I got to be a part of. It was an amazing time. We flew in for a week. Right when we got there we immediately went to practice. We wore these ugly read coats the whole trip so people knew were with the Macy’s Day Parade. Also, we had to wear them so we wouldn’t get lost. The day of the parade it was raining and freezing outside. We wore ponchos until we performed. Afterwards it was weird that it just finished and we walked away. It was a really fun trip and a chance for me to celebrate my senior year with my friends. 

CS: What are some of your favorite restaurants in St. Louis?

KD: There are so many great ones! We love Concord Grill, Daddo’s Cafe, and Bartolino’s. I am a huge St. Louis pizza fan. My favorite pizza in town is from Imo’s Pizza and Bartolino’s.  *Spewak Training is currently taking on new athletes. If you are interested in learning more about our team and services, please contact us mark@spewaktraining.com*