Carleth Keys

06/04/2024

⏩️Update your shopping list 📝

Remember that awesome live session I did with about how to improve recovery time with just a few tweaks to your diet? Well, we thought we’d break it down for you in a more digestible way!

Take a look through the slides and let me know which one resonates with you in the comments below.

Sharing is caring, so don’t forget to spread the love! 🙏

05/30/2024

🌈 ☀️ Name your fave! Back when I did a photo shoot for a 😎 brand

Craving some summertime BAD!

04/29/2024

🏅 Which medal am I missing?

Five majors over the last four years. It hasn’t been easy 🥴

I envy those warriors who run all six World Marathon Majors in the same year. For the rest of us, it just doesn’t come that easily.

That’s why I’m overly proud of my achievements so far. Only one major away from my six-star medal.

My marathon journey has been plagued by injuries, physical therapy, injections, disappointments, and heartbreaks.

In other words, running seems to be tough on me. It’s like falling in love with the wrong person. You know you shouldn’t, but… 🤷🏻‍♀️

However, I don’t let that cloud my goals; quite the contrary, it motivates me to keep going because my heart tells me so ❤️

So, if everything goes according to plan, next year I will be proudly showcasing that exclusive six-star medal around my neck.

Watch me go after it! 💪

And you? What are your running goals? I read you in the comments 👇

04/25/2024

✨Smiling through the Struggle. Was it all worth it? ⤵️

These pictures may not reveal the pain in my right knee, but behind that smile is a story of perseverance.

Regardless of the pain, that smile and joy shine through authentically.

This is my passion, my purpose.

Those who don’t run may never grasp why we willingly endure such challenges until they run a marathon and feel the electric atmosphere of the crowd.

On the course, strangers become friends and brothers/sisters, united in conquering 26.2 miles together.

The camaraderie among 50,000 individuals as you cross the start line is incomparable.

We’re in this together.

People often ask me: “is it all worth it?”

Absolutely!

That’s why I can never imagine a life without running.

What’s your favorite picture?

🇬🇧

04/20/2024

“You’re the BEAST that refuses to give up”

… Said one of the handwritten notes that Bobby, the friendly doorman at my building in NYC, used to give to every tenant on Fridays.

I’ve always embraced it as my personal mantra during every marathon I run. But tomorrow, I’ll need it more than ever.

I had high hopes for my first , but as a wise friend once said, “the universe gives you what you need, not what you want.”

And so, the universe presented me with the chance to run alongside thousands of fellow runners from around the globe; to connect with incredible individuals whose running journeys inspire me daily.

Running is a privilege. Running in London is a blessing. And for that, I am forever thankful 🙏

Wishing everyone a fantastic race day!

Special thanks to and for making my dream marathon outfit come true 🙏

04/09/2024

🚨 Save and share if you’re running the

I won’t be running the Boston Marathon this year, but I will be cheering for you from afar!

Remember to have a hearty breakfast and prepare yourself for your hardest run yet, with plenty of hydration and electrolytes intake.

But above all, always smile and be proud of yourself. You’re a unicorn 🦄!!!

Any questions? Just ask in the comments 👇

04/09/2024

🚨 Save and share if you’re running the

I won’t be running the Boston Marathon this year, but I will be cheering for you from afar!

Remember to have a hearty breakfast and prepare yourself for your hardest run yet, with plenty of hydration and electrolytes intake.

But above all, always smile and be proud of yourself. You’re a unicorn 🦄!!!

Any questions? Just ask in the comments 👇

04/01/2024

🦸‍♀️ You have the power to write your own story, And be the hero of it too 👇

- Joelle Speranza.

📝 I started writing my story over five years ago when I signed up for my first marathon.

But sometimes, specially after being sidelined so many times due to old injuries, I feel tempted to close that book forever. Who can relate? 🙋🏻‍♀️

It’s hard to keep motivated when you feel like a complete failure. But this is what I tell myself when I’m in this situation:

⚡️ Prioritize yourself. We all have families and responsibilities, but when there is a will, there is a way.

⚡️ Focus on your goal and don’t let negative thoughts distract you.

⚡️ Be consistent and stick to a routine that will help you stay disciplined towards your goal.

⚡️ Don’t quit. You will fall many times, but you are strong enough to get up and prevail many times more.

Drop a 🙋🏻‍♀️ if you’re working on yourself!

📷 by my bestie at the iconic Stone Street

03/29/2024

Sometimes you just have to STOP ✋ …

When the sun’s too bright and your selfie game is struggling, but then a pro photographer swoops in and says, “Let me take that shot for you!” It felt like a blessing 🙏

So much going on inside, but I refuse to let it take over. I adapt, I persevere.

Got a goal, gonna crush it with all I’ve got.

🏃‍♀️ In this journey, I know I’m not alone. You’re not alone either ❤️🤗

Didn’t catch the photog’s IG handle, but if you’re out there, THANK YOU for capturing the magic in Jamaica 🇯🇲

Which pic stole your heart? 📸

🇯🇲

03/26/2024

🇯🇲Jamaica photo dump PART II 📷
Name your favorite! ☝️

What’s the best part about traveling with a bunch of creators like yourself? They’re all great photographers!!! 🤪

1 and 2 📷 taken by a photographer with my phone. His name is Daniel, but I couldn’t find him in IG to tag him. If you’re reading this, please comment!

3. 📷 by

4. At Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong recording studio

5. At the Art District in Kingston

6. 📷 by

7. At the fastest track in the world: Usain Bolt Blue Track in Kingston.

8. With , Reigning Olympic champion in the 110m hurdles.

9. With , 5x Olympic champion

10. With , the first Jamaican Woman since 2011 to break 53 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

03/20/2024

📸 NYC Photo dump ‼️ It was a week packed with friends, runs, hugs and a whole lotta love ❤️

Till next time!

Now to the next adventure… Can you guess where it is?

1. 📷
2. 📷 Celebrating in
3. 📷 during the
4. With after a fun martini catchup night 🍸
5. With at the shakeout run
6. With after hosting me at the AMAZING Millenium Broadway Hotel
7. With coach after a catchup run
8. With bestie after a photo session 😂
9. With after a well deserved girlie update
10. Midtown Manhattan

03/20/2024

03/12/2024

✨ It’s a vibe 💁🏻‍♀️ Name one difference 🤪

From 2019 (1st half marathon in Madrid) to 2023 (10th marathon in Berlin)

It doesn’t get easier. You get more confident 😜

Kit by

02/27/2024

Here’s what I did wrong 😑…

Sometimes when I face the needles, I can’t help but think of all the things I would have done differently if I could go back in time to when I first started running marathons:

Here’s a list, and take note if you’re a new runner:

1. Go to a physical therapist and get my gait checked.

2. Invest in a running coach.

3. Invest in the best training shoes for my gait.

4. Practice mobility often (I didn’t even know what that was back then).

5. Warm up before every workout.

6. RECOVER properly after every workout instead of immediately getting busy with kids and house chores.

7. SLEEP AND EAT according to the intensity of my training.

8. STRENGTH TRAIN OFTEN.

9. Cross-train.

10. Chill on my rest days.

11. RUN EASY.

12. STOP running when feeling pain (different from soreness).

13. Invest in a massage therapist.

14. Don’t run a race injured, even if it’s the Boston
Marathon that took sweat and tears to qualify for.

15. Be good to my body.

What else would you add to the list? Tell me in the comments 👇

02/23/2024

Who’s ready to conquer the streets of NYC? 🏃‍♀️🌆

ME 🤚 I’m gearing up for my third year at the ! Running through Time Square is a total blast, even if it’s freezing cold! ❄️ But hey, nothing beats the rush of crossing midtown towards Central Park! 🌳

So, mark your calendars for March 17th, folks! Let’s run this town together! 🤙 Who’s in for the NYC Half Marathon this year? Drop a comment below and let’s cheer each other on! 👇

And don’t forget to check out my stories for some epic race day videos! 🎥💪

📷 by the amazing .celani

Top
Vest
Shorts
Socks (check my links in bio)
Shoes Kinvara Pro

02/20/2024

WHAT I DID DIFFERENT‼️ I ran the 3 times coming from injury. But the last one was a success…

⚠️ SHARE THIS POST with whoever needs to know!

It seems like every time I trained for Boston old injuries flared up two or three weeks before the race. With time, I’ve learned that nutrition, strength training and a lot of mental healing are crucial for fast recovery. But what I did immediately before and during the race made a real difference:

1️⃣ STOPPED RUNNING. This might shock you, but not running can be the best thing you can do weeks before a race when in recovery. I’ve had enough marathon experience to know that you don’t lose fitness if you decide to rest your legs. I focused on strength training and biked occasionally during the three weeks I was recovering.

2️⃣ SLEPT MORE. Remember, you want your muscles to regenerate and be ready for the big day, and that happens when you sleep!! I made a point to sleep at least 8 hours every night in the weeks leading up to Boston.

3️⃣ AVOID CRAMPING. Boston is the only marathon I’ve ever cramped. My hydration is always on point, but I reinforced my strategy my eating a chewable salt tablets during the race. I knew that by the last hill my hamstrings will lock, so I brought a pickle juice shot along for the ride.

4️⃣ IGNORED MY WATCH. I accidentally PRd in Chicago last October when both my watches stopped working at mile 5 because of GPS issues. So, I wanted to test this theory of running by feeling being more beneficial. Well, it sure is. In my last Boston, I only looked at my watch to check the time for fuel intake, and let my effort feel guide me.

Bottom line, it’s all mental. The more you stress, either by checking your pace or HR on your watch or by being sleep deprived, etc, the least likely to succeed.

But my recovery story started exactly a year ago when I ended up in a wheelchair after finishing my second Boston.

🚨 I made changes in my diet and incorporated other healing methods that helped me recover faster, both physically and mentally

12/20/2023

🚨 GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨👇👇👇

Get ready for an epic giveaway because I believe you’re the absolute coolest in the whole wide world! 🌍🎉

I’ve teamed up with the incredible brand SAUCONY, one of my absolute favorites in 2023, to bring you a chance to win a pair of the Endorphin Pro 3 and an exclusive CARLETH’S RUN CLUB training plan, so you can crush your race goals in 2024.

To enter:

1️⃣ Follow me and 🤳
2️⃣ Like this post ❤️
3️⃣ Share this post 🗣️
4️⃣ Tag your runner friends 🏷️

***Please note that this giveaway is open to US residents only.

⚡️ The lucky winner will be announced on December 24th, just in time for some holiday cheer! 🎅🎁

🚨 But wait, there’s more! Keep your eyes peeled for other exciting giveaways happening throughout the week ‼️

🎄So, get ready to spread some holiday joy, good luck to all, and have a fantastic holiday season!

12/14/2023

🚨 SWIPE and save if you’re running a marathon ⤵️

Before you start freaking out about the number of miles you need to run each week, remember to consider your own unique situation. 🤔

Take me, for example. I used to be a total mileage beast, running up to 60 miles a week. But then, life happened and I got injured. 😔

Fast forward three years, and guess what? I’m still running marathons and even setting personal records! 🎉 How is that possible, you ask?

✨ Well, here’s the secret: knowing your strengths and limitations. 💪 My weakness happens to be those knee injuries that just won’t heal. But my strength lies in my running experience and my determination to make up for those missed miles through cross-training.

✨ So, this Monday, I’ll be starting a new training block with an amazing group of coaches who will guide me all the way to the start line of the London Marathon. 🎉

I’ll be following their 3:15 finish plan, and the best part is, they’re always there to adjust my training strategy if needed. 🙌

🚨 And guess what? You can join us too! Just head over to
https://www.carlethsrunclub.com

or check out my Bio and stories for more information. Let’s train together and crush those marathon goals! 💪 Happy training, everyone! 🏃‍♀️✨

05/19/2023

Floating into the weekend like 🦩
What are your running plans for the weekend? Comment below 👇

05/14/2023

💖 Meet my momma: She still watches marathon broadcasts hoping to see me. “Why do they always show the same runners on every race?” She asks when she sees the elites 💁🏻‍♀️

I gave her lots of headaches (literally) growing up. I wish I understood back then what it meant to raise two kids alone, maybe I would’ve been a better daughter.

She taught me how to be independent at a very early age.

She gave me the opportunity to live in another country (Denmark) as a exchange student when I was a teenager.

The only thing she asked in return was straight A’s at school, and I always delivered.

She still doesn’t understand why I run so much… “to go where? to come back to the same place?”

But she always supported me in every crazy decision I made, even when I married my first husband after meeting him on the Internet. “What’s an Internet???”

The truth is, all those years growing up she was preparing me for what’s to come: being a mom.

Now it’s my turn. I just hope to be as cool, chilled, and understanding as she is.

, you are my rockstar BFF and I am forever thankful for the life you gave us.

Happy Mother’s Day!!

05/08/2023

🚨 How I overcame my demons and redeemed myself at the Boston Marathon. MUST READ ⤵️

⚡️ In a marathon, It’s not about avoiding obstacles, it's about finding the strength and determination to conquer them.
⠀
My two previous were disastrous to say the least. In both occasions I was recovering from reoccurring pain in my right knee (torn meniscus) and lack of training.

My physical state this past Boston was no different. But my approach to setbacks determined the success of my last race: I overcame my demons and it became my second fastest marathon 🤯

📣 HOW?
⠀
⚡️I incorporated acupuncture in my recovery process. Teddy, at focused on the muscles around my knee to minimize the impact on my joints.
⠀
⚡️Improved my nutrition by introducing foods that help speed up recovery, under the guidance of my nutrition coach
⠀
⚡️ I continued my running and strength training program with which was tailored to my needs and physical capabilities (no runs longer than 15 miles, no intervals for the last month.)
⠀
⚡️ And something new that, believe it or not, was crucial this past training block: energy healing 🤯 .healing helped me regain my inner strength because, as you know, running a marathon is 90% mental.

Although this process is hard to put into words, being injured and sidelined takes a huge toll on your energy and mental state. So I needed to “fix” that first in order to let everything else flow.

Everybody’s experience is different. But I hope mine gives you an example of how you can recover from setbacks by just making certain changes in your routine and your mindset. ⠀⠀
⠀
Feel free to share this post with a friend who needs to know 🙏⠀

04/28/2023

⚠️ What you do in the off season will impact your next training cycle 👇

🚨 HIT SAVE SO YOU WONT FORGET

You ran. You conquered. Your next challenge is several months away… What to do while you wait for your next training cycle to start?

💡 Here’s an idea:

⚡️ Strengthen your muscles!

Now is the time to focus on your glutes, hamstrings, quads and core. Get them ready for those speed workouts, hill intervals and long runs. The stronger they are, the less chance for injuries.

⚡️Correct your technique

Have you noticed any imbalances during your last training block? Now is the time to recheck your gait. Visit a running store or your physical therapist to analyze your stride. Most times it’s just a matter of adjusting your form so you can improve your running economy and reduce the risk of injuries.

⚡️Restrategize your nutrition

If you’re working on your muscles, give them what they need! Think of protein, omega-3, antioxidants, magnesium, etc, for regeneration and faster recovery.

⚡️Improve your flexibility

Just as your next training block is approaching, get those muscles and joints loose with a mobility routine. The more flexible you are, the better the biomechanics of your running will be when you’re ready to resume your running training.

Make sure you follow and stay tuned for more posts on runner’s strength and recovery as I get ready for my next race 💪

🚨 What’s your next challenge? I’ll read you in the comments 👇

04/25/2023

WHAT I DID DIFFERENT‼️ I ran 3 times coming from injury. But the last one was a success…

⚠️ SHARE THIS POST with whoever needs to know!

It seems like every time I train for Boston old injuries flare up two or three weeks before the race. With time, I’ve learned that nutrition, strength training and a lot of mental healing are crucial for fast recovery. But what I did immediately before and during the race made a real difference:

1️⃣ STOPPED RUNNING. This might shock you, but not running can be the best thing you can do weeks before a race when in recovery. I’ve had enough marathon experience to know that you don’t lose fitness if you decide to rest your legs. I focused on strength training and biked occasionally during the three weeks I was recovering.

2️⃣ SLEPT MORE. Remember, you want your muscles to regenerate and be ready for the big day, and that happens when you sleep!! I made a point to sleep at least 8 hours every night in the weeks leading up to Boston.

3️⃣ MISSION: NOT CRAMPING. Boston is the only marathon I’ve ever cramped. My hydration is always on point, but I reinforced my strategy my eating a chewable salt tablet the minute I felt a slight fatigue in my legs. I knew that by the last hill my hamstrings will lock, so I brought a pickle juice shot along for the ride. Cramp was solved in just one minute.

4️⃣ IGNORED MY WATCH. I accidentally PRd in Chicago last October when both my watches stopped working at mile 5 because of GPS issues. So, I wanted to test this theory of running by feeling being more beneficial. Well, it sure is. In Boston, I only looked at my watch to check the time for fuel intake, and let my effort feel guide me.

Bottom line, it’s all mental. The more you stress, either by checking your pace or HR on your watch or by being sleep deprived, etc, the least likely to succeed.

But my recovery story started exactly a year ago when I ended up in a wheelchair after finishing my second Boston.

🚨 I made changes in my diet and incorporated other healing methods that helped me recover faster, both physically and mentally. But that’s a story for another post 😉 Stay tuned!!

04/24/2023

That finish line feeling in one word. GO 👇

Let me show you my third unicorn and BQ🦄

04/18/2023

The moment I realized I finally conquered this race 🦄🦄🦄

Boston 127th became my second fastest marathon after Chicago, just by four minutes.

Four minutes that I could’ve shaved if I didn’t stop to hug the people that stood in the rain for hours to cheer me on.

“Can you imagine how fast you can run if you didn’t hug people and if you didn’t film the race?” Many have asked me.

But I don’t regret it, not even for a minute. Because some of those angels have followed my bumpy road to the three times I’ve run it.

Back in 2021, my first BQ, I couldn’t train properly due to injuries. So I suffered on the course.

Then came Boston 2022, the one I ran/walk in excruciating pain and left me severely injured, unable to run for three months.

I had so much PTSD I promised myself I wouldn’t run it again, because I wasn’t “Boston strong” enough.

But I decided to face my demons for the third time in Boston 2023, seeking redemption.

I trained hard and smart. But old injuries flared up three weeks before the race and had to stop training. Race day was a big unknown. I was about to face my biggest fear.

But on April 17th I “raised from the ashes like a phoenix”, quoting one of my angels 😊 and cruised through those hills thanking every volunteer, spectator and cheering squad… I even kissed a Wellesley girl!

I was so happy and proud of myself that I couldn’t stop the tears as I was entering Boylston street.

What did I do different this time to turn a negative situation into a positive? That’s a story for another post. Stay tuned 😉

But first, I would like to thank all of you for all the well wishes and support throughout this adventure. My inbox is about to explode. But I promise to read you as soon as I get home 🙏

I LOVE YOU ALL! ❤️

04/17/2023

I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful and too determined to be defeated.

My first two were very challenging to say the least. Tomorrow I’ll be back on the course to face those demons from the past.

Will I finally get my revenge? That’s the millions dollar question.

The only thing I regret is that my family won’t be cheering me on Boylston Street this year, but they sent me off with these cards. I love those monkeys with all my heart ❤️

It’s the first time I’m running a major race without them and that hit me hard. But my friends are here to support me.

Thank you for the personalized kit with my favorite color (orange). Thank you for always being with me in every race. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to run with the Endorphin Elites and to put them to the rest 💪

And thank YOU, my runner friends, for following my crazy journey 🙏

Wish me luck!

04/11/2023

Your Nº 1 tip for race day. GO 👇

and are around the corner. If you are an avid marathon runner let others read your advice on what has worked for you in the past 👇

New runners will really appreciate it 🙏

03/29/2023

What’s the weirdest thing that happened to you during a race❓GO 👇

Me first 🙋🏻‍♀️

I broke a tooth running the Boston Marathon from smiling too much (trying to hide the pain 😬)

Now, let me have a good laugh with your comments 👇

Featuring hoodie and running shorts from

03/27/2023

How important is running for you?

As I was answering a series of questions that a friend asked me for his blog, I realized how important running is for me.

It has shaped my personal and working life as I know it.

I’m miserable when I’m not running, and when I’m running, I’m the happiest person on earth. When I’m happy, my family and everybody else around me is happy.

“Mommy needs to run” is what my kids say when they see me upset or in a bad mood, and they’re painfully right. Running fixes everything for me.

Is this a healthy way to enjoy life? Still not sure. But it’s how I’ve found peace.

That’s why you will always see me with a big smile in all my race pictures.

Today I’m featuring photos from two Sundays ago. It was my second marathon and maybe the last (I’ll explain later).

It was an epic race that I got to share with my runner friends as we crossed Times Square together.

It doesn’t get any better than that 😊

Give me a ❤️ if you feel the same way 🙏

03/23/2023

I cannot run without…

A smile on my face 😊

Happy for Spring. Happy for my legs. Happy for being able to run free 🙏