"To compete with the best marathoners in the country and to see my local community and family on the course cheering." - Kelsey Marie Pontius
Kelsey Marie Pontius, RD, CSSD
Owner of Meteor Nutrition, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics
Instagram @sportsdietitiankelsey
Hometown/Current residence - Jacksonvile, Forida
2020 & 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon Qualifier
What are you most excited about for the 2024 trials?
To compete with the best marathoners in the country and to see my local community and family on the course cheering.
What are you least excited about for the 2024 trials?
Florida being Florida.
What was your favorite memory about the 2020 trials?
Getting in a rhythm with a group of girls that I knew through social media but had never met, but when we working together it felt like a powerful party.
What was your least favorite memory about the 2020 trials?
Getting tripped just prior to crossing the start line and then running the race with wind hitting my road rash for 26.2 miles.
What’s your 2024 trials bib number?
176.
Who will be cheering for you on at the trials?
SO many people from local run community in Jacksonville, my best friends, my parents, my husband, my sister/ brother in law, my nephew, and my mother/father in law.
Will you have your own bottles during the trials? If so what are you putting in them? Gels too? How will you decorate them?
Yes! Maurten 360 Caf in bottles, I will definitely decorate with stickers of fruits and vegetables!
How do you think living/training in Florida will help with the trials being in Orlando?
We had a lot of cooler days this season, so there weren't as many warm days as I would have liked to train in. However, there's usually at least 80% humidity with some days in the mid 60s and 70s sprinkled in. Also, I am very excited for it to only be a two hour car ride opposed to a flight.
What’s been your favorite workout leading into the trials?
I love 3-2-1! I typically love workouts where I get to run a variety of paces and this block this workout went really well.
What will you eat the night before the trials?
Something boring like chicken and a lot rice.
What will you eat the morning of the trials?
When I first get up, I'll do a bagel, peanut butter, banana, and electrolytes. Then, I will likely have a snack such as chews or granola bar with sports drink .
What will you wear at the trials?
Nike crop top (white)
Nike bottoms (royal blue)
Nike Alpha Fly 3s (white)
Nike hat (white)
Who’s your coach? How long have you been coached by them and why?
Matt Hensley, he has coached me for ten years ( and two months HAHA). Growing up, I always struggled with confidence in sports ( soccer) and never felt like any amount of training or preparation was enough. It often felt like my performance goals were paralyzed by uncertainty and doubt. Matt has continued to challenge me to work on this by cultivating more confidence in my natural abilities and let fun guide the way. It has taken a really long time, but I don't think there's anyone better on the planet that's better at getting you to believe in yourself even in the darkest of times.
Why run for Boulder Underground?
I think the fact that I don't even live in Boulder, but I feel so connected to the group speaks to the comraderie of the group. The athletes that Matt has attracted to the group seem to share a lot of personality traits such as love for the sport, belief in long term development, and of course having fun!
Do you train with anyone?
Not consistently, but this block I had a really fun mix. Bria Wetsch was in town about 4-6 weeks before the trials and it was fun to have someone to meet up with that was training for the same race. Also, I usually try to run with my best friends, Karen, Laura, and Lydia a few times a week on non workout days.
Where/who do you live with?
Jacksonville and with my husband, Cody, and dog, Gully.
What’s your go to training shoe?
I switch up from Nike invincible, to Nike Zoom Fly, to Asics Gel Nimbus.
What’s your go to race shoe?
Nike Alpha Fly.
What are your PR’s?
Marathon - 2:32:26
Half Marathon - 1:14:15
15k - 53:23
10k - 34:24
5k - 16:44
Random fun fact?
My dog, Gully, came from a bet about being able to OTQ in 2020.
Photos provided by Kelsey Marie Pontius.