Kim McDonald
Kim McDonald

I beat Kiera once at Fran when she was like 16… does that count?
My first 50k. It was awful. I wasn’t ready for it. I wanted to give up several times but I managed to finish. I was like third from last. I remembered I had to come back to the gym and that Kie and Justin would ask me how it was and I couldn’t tell “the kids” that I quit, so I didn’t.

Running 100 miles at Dark Anchor was an accomplishment that I am proud of. I DNF’d Leadville due to time cutoffs and getting back onto the trails with a different mindset and training was helpful.

Spending years learning how to jump rope to eventually do double unders consistently. So much frustration with something that felt like such a simple movement. Everyone has thrown a jump rope, right?

Qualifications

CF-L2
Precision Nutrition L1
Pelvic Floor Corrective Exercise Specialist

Coach

Kim McDonald

Started CF in 2013 to supplement running. Took time off during my first pregnancy but picked it back up postpartum when I struggled with PPD/PPA. It was a way that I could connect with my body again while adjusting to motherhood.  Prior to CF I was a teacher and have always loved the role of teaching others. I’m most proud of showing others what they are capable of and being a safe place for someone to find themselves through movement. I don’t have an athletic background. I grew up playing the piano and drums (when my mom decided I was banging on the piano keys too much). Athleticism is not my strength. I’ve always been an OK runner. I ran track in high school for a minute and continued running for “leisure” into adulthood.

I think a turning point for me was committing to the process outside of the gym. It’s easy enough to walk in and do a class 3-5 days per week but it gets old after a while when you constantly spin your wheels because you aren’t taking care of yourself the other 23 hours of the day. Learning to prioritize sleep, manage stress, and make different food choices was the turning point I needed to make it all matter. For a few years, I felt like I was constantly trying to outwork my poor lifestyle habits versus reflecting on making changes outside of the gym that would make the work I did in the gym really matter.

The reason I chose to coach was to be a light in the lives of others. CF brought me out of a really dark place during PPD. I wanted to extend that gift to others. I can teach you new movements and pacing, sure, but what matters to me is that you walk away from my class feeling like you matter and are empowered to make choices moving forward that are best for you at this given point in your life.