Q: Tell us about yourself and your training
A: My name is Kailey McKenna I moved to Jackson 3 years ago while on a road trip from Alaska. I love to ski and I also love any form of human powered adventures. Some might even call it a love for suffer-fests, biking, climbing, running, skiing and combining activities have become a favorite. I approached Crystal this fall about training for a skimo race and ski traverse in AK, my plans for the trip and race fell apart due to life and logistics. Regardless of the change in plans, I decided to stick with the training program. Crystal has created a progressive program involving 5-6 days a week of athletic effort.
I have been lifting twice a week , backcountry skiing and running, which has pushed me to increase my uphill capacity and overall stamina in the mountains. The overall goal was to handle long mileage and
high vertical days back to back . I utilized the gym, at home workouts, Snowking, Teton Pass and GTNP.
Q: What brought you to Wright Training?
A: I was working out on my own and struggled to see the progress I was looking for. I also wanted to find a gym that catered toward mountain and endurance athletes After a few sessions I was able to feel a difference, I felt stronger and Crystal and the other coaches
helped me identify areas that need work that I would have never figured out on my own. Also having a personalized training program was a game changer for me.
Q: What has your training helped you to achieve?
A: Training has helped me find my BEAST MODE! I have spent years climbing and skiing but have felt like my groove was missing, there were a lot of objectives I wanted to ski and climb, yet I felt like they were
out of my reach physically. I decided that I didn’t want to be exhausted at the end of every mission, and that I couldn’t be a good partner in the mountains if I was pushing myself to that point. I wanted to feel
like these objectives to ski and climb were in my wheelhouse. After 16 weeks I found I have a 2nd and 3rd gear ! I have been able to tackle long days, with big vert and back to back days in the mountains
with even a bit of gas left in my tank. On a recent ski mountaineering day my ski partner of 5 years ( who I am usually chasing up and down
the mountain) was dragging behind and told me “ you’re crushing it, you’re kicking my butt!” It has been an accomplishment in many ways to be able to feel physically strong in the mountains. It has
led me to have more confidence , and ultimately be able to dream of more human powered adventures.
I am excited to put my fitness to the test this summer with lots of mountain running and climbing goals!
Q: What advice would you offer to other athletes?
A: Stick with it being consistent sometimes feels intimidating to start at a new gym or a new program but being able to enjoy your mountain pursuits is worth it ! There were many times this winter when I felt overwhelmed with trying to tackle work, skiing and a
weekly workout plan. Yet, it helped me to stay focused this winter on bigger goals and seeing the little progressions like being faster up snow king or glory helped me realize it was working.
Q: Any final thoughts or shoutouts?
Shout out to all the coaches that helped me over the last 16 weeks answering questions and offering motivation.
Also thank you to Crystal for believing in my idea for a workout plan even when my original goals fell through. I felt supported by the idea to try and get as strong as possible. It was also an integral part of my quarantine sanity. Thank you for pushing me both in and outside the gym!!!
