Skip to main content

Kaitlyn Sheppard

Cheltenham, England

Mile, 3k, 5k, and XC Runner


Runner Spotlight

For some, running is a hobby. For Kaitlyn Sheppard’s parents, it was more than that—it was a passion. Naturally, they took her to the local running club, hoping she’d follow in their footsteps.

But Kaitlyn? She wasn’t convinced. Long jump, gymnastics—anything but running. Eventually, her mum gave her an ultimatum: pick a sport. Thinking track might be the easier option, she stuck with it.

Then, something clicked. One good race turned into motivation. Motivation turned into progress. Progress turned into what we see now: one of Bradley University’s top distance runners, competing at her best level yet.

With two new PRs, a 3rd place finish at the MVC Cross Country Championships, and a promising indoor and outdoor season ahead, Kaitlyn isn’t just following in her parents' footsteps anymore—she’s carving her own path.


Favorite Running Spot

American Tobacco Trail (NC)


Favorite Running Shoe

Kaitlyn first turned to the Saucony Endorphin Shift and loved it. As a heel striker, she found the thick sole absorbed impact well, keeping her stride smooth.

But with the shoe discontinued, she had to find a new go-to. Her pick? The Saucony Triumph 22.

“A little more cushioned, but I like them a lot,” she says. It’s not an exact replacement, but it gets the job done—and for someone logging high mileage, that’s what matters.

And if she gets to pick the color? Purple it is.


Best Achievement

For many athletes, representing their country is the ultimate dream—a moment that comes after years of hard work and sacrifice. For Kaitlyn Sheppard, that moment happened when she was just 18 years old. She got to wear the Great Britain vest and compete in the 5K at the Manchester International. Honestly, that’s such a big deal, achieving something like that at such a young age is a remarkable accomplishment, and it just shows how talented and driven she’s been from the start.

But with her trajectory, I’m sure this won’t be her last time representing her country—and who knows, the next time might be on an even bigger stage.

Manchester International 5k


At Bradley, she’s already posted impressive times, including 4:43.22 in the mile and 9:14.04 in the 3K, both indoors. And with the outdoor season approaching, there's so much more to come.

Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational


Currently ranked #1 in the MVC for the 3K indoor, Kaitlyn is gearing up for the MVC Indoor Championships this weekend, just after turning 21. The best part? We’re just getting started. Kaitlyn’s future is so bright, and I can’t wait to see where her talent and hard work take her next.


Product Recommendation

Her go-to post-workout fuel? Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Protein Powder—and she’s not the only one who swears by it. It’s a solid choice for recovery after tough workouts and lifting sessions. The chocolate flavor is actually delicious (athlete-approved!), and it helps with muscle repair when you need it most.

For best results, she recommends having it right after your session to get the most out of that recovery window.


Favorite Pre-Race Song






And that’s a wrap for this week, with the Word of the Week, straight from Kaitlyn herself. She’s feeling excited as she looks forward to racing the 5K and 3K, aiming for a PB and some medals. With big goals in mind, there’s no doubt she’s ready to crush it!




Location: Peoria, IL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Loving My New Balance 1080s from RC Outfitters!

If you’re in Peoria and looking for quality running gear, you need to check out RC Outfitters (also known as Running Central). I picked up the new pastel blue New Balance 1080s there, and I’m seriously loving them. The updated model feels way better — lighter, more responsive, and super comfy for longer runs. These shoes are built to last around 500-600 miles, so they’re perfect for anyone training hard or hitting the pavement often. What I really love about RC Outfitters is the vibe of the store. It’s got this amazing layout with great lighting that makes it feel super welcoming and homey. Whether you’re a runner or just passionate about sports, it’s the perfect spot to shop for gear, and you’ll always find something you didn’t know you needed! The staff makes your experience even better — they treat you like part of the team, and you can tell they genuinely care about helping you find the right fit. Plus, they offer foot support analysis to help you choose the best shoes for your s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sonja Inzinger

Mautern (AUSTRIA) 3k, 5k and XC runner   Runner Spotlight Sonja’s journey to running wasn’t planned—it just fell into place. She tried acrobatic gymnastics as a kid but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. Then, by chance, running entered her life. A friend’s father, a passionate hobby runner, invited her to join their runs to encourage his daughter to enjoy the sport. The daughter quit soon after, but Sonja found something she truly loved. Her big break came unexpectedly. There was a high school for elite athletes about 30 km from her hometown, but since she wasn’t part of a club or competing in major races, it seemed out of reach. Still, her dad encouraged her to attend their open day just to experience it. She had fun, enjoyed the test runs, and thought nothing more of it—until a week later, she got a life-changing call. Jennifer Wenth, an Olympian and coach at the school, had seen her potential. She had already spoken to the athletics association and wanted Sonja on board. Tha...
2 comments
Read more

Running Through Tulum: Workout Adventure

Spring break in Tulum, Mexico, meant swapping my usual track for palm-lined roads and early morning workouts. Tuesday’s training schedule had two threshold sessions: a morning running workout and a bike workout in the afternoon. I thought about finding a track by the beach or a gym with a treadmill, but with a packed itinerary, I had to be efficient.  I was ready to go at 6:30 AM, but it was still dark, so I waited for the sun to rise before stepping out of the hotel. A t 6:45 AM, I laced up and headed to the nearest flat road I could find. My warm-up was a two-mile jog through a busy morning scene—cars, bikes, motorcycles, and people already starting their day. Even a few friendly dogs were out playing. If my mom had been on this trip, she definitely would have found me a safer place to run, but oh well, this was part of the Tulum experience! The workout? 4 reps of 1 mile at 6:10min/mile pace, with a one-minute recovery. After warming up and doing drills, I chose Avenida Kukulkán—...
1 comment
Read more