Ep 121: From Hating Running to Ironman Athlete | Running with Strength’s Kindal Sweet – Fit Armadillo

Ep 121: From Hating Running to Ironman Athlete | Running with Strength’s Kindal Sweet

becoming an ironman athlete

From Hating Running to Ironman Athlete | Running with Strength's Kindal Sweet


Don't consider yourself a runner? Today's guest, Kindal Sweet, went from hating running to completing her 1st 5K in 2009 to prepare for a Disney marathon a few months later. She shares her running journey that took her from "not a runner" to 5K to marathon to chasing a BQ, to earning her Boston qualifying time and finally becoming an Ironman triathlete. This episode is longer than normal, but worth it! Kindal comes back tomorrow to reflect on her fitness journey and share more insights on training for various races as well as lessons she's learned along the way. 

About Kindal Sweet

Journey to Ironman Athlete BQ Kindal Running with Strength


Kindal started running at the age of 20 when her dad signed them up for the Disney marathon when she couldn’t even run a mile. She ran her first 5k in 33 Minutes on the 4th of July of 2009 and her first marathon in 4:12 in Jan 2010. She didn’t run another marathon until Feb 2014 for “sweating for the wedding” at the Phoenix Marathon in 4:04. She ran a few halfs later that year and ended up with a horrible ITB injury that knocked her out of running. She took some time off and then came back when she started her Instagram in 2015

and her journey to the Boston marathon. She ran her first attempt at UTV in 3:48 and secured her spot at Boston 2017 in November at Revel Canyon City in 3:24. After her BQ she had 18 months and since she felt she had reached her goal in the marathon she figured Ironman was a logical next step. She had dabbled in sprint triathlons, but had never been serious and hadn’t road her bike since 2011, but no big deal. How hard could it be? Well, it was much harder, but she figured it out completing her first Half Ironman in Muncie Indiana in 5:48 in July 2016 and her First Ironman in 11:51 in October at Louisville. She has since run a 3:16 marathon, 1:29 Half, and 5:17 Half Ironman. Still working on that Ironman PR (it’s coming ).

Outside of Instagram and running she is a full time Physician Assistant in the ER, Run/Triathlon Coach, wife to her hubby who is a dentist in the Airforce, and Mom to a 10 year old Pomeranian! 

Links of Interest:

  • Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes | Stitcher | Google Play | PodBean
  • Share feedback, nominate a guest, or request a topic HERE
  • Visit Kindal's blog HERE
  • Follow Kindal on Instagram


  • Join the Fit Armadillo #1MileADay October Fitness Challenge. Post on social media and tag @FitArmadillo for help holding yourself accountable. FREE tracker for this fitness challenge can be found HERE.

Related Podcast Episodes:

  • Ep 117: Running Coach and Expert Dr. Jason Karp Shares Running Tips
  • Ep 118: Tips for Running a Marathon with Dr. Jason Karp
  • Ep 94: Olympian, Author and Marathoner Deena Kastor on Running and Positivity

Tell a Friend:

From "NOT a runner" to #IronmanAthlete, Kindal Sweet stops by @thefitfifteen #PodcastShow by @fitarmadillo to share her #RunningJourney #FitTips #Triathlete #Ironman #FitnessJourney #MondayMotivation

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Catherine Turley

Hello! I'm the founder of Fit Armadillo® and I'm so glad you're here. If you've been looking for a way to start your healthy lifestyle, but you don’t want to join a gym or spend thousands of dollars on supplements and fad products, you’ve come to the right place. On the blog we share fitness tips and healthy recipes to get you started. For more 1-on-1 help head here to get matched with an awesome certified fitness professional. Looking for motivation to start or stick to your routine? Check out my *bestselling* book HERE

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