A few weeks after taking on the monumental Blue Lake 24-Hour Challenge, Kelly Young is still absorbing the experience and the impact it’s had on her both physically and mentally. Pushing her longest run from 33 km to over 100 km, Kelly didn’t just test her endurance; she tested her mindset, resilience, and capacity for self-belief. Now she opens up about the moments that pushed her to her limits, the lessons she didn’t expect to learn, and the ways this journey is already changing her life and perspective.
A few weeks on, how are you feeling after completing the Blue Lake 24-Hour Challenge?
To be honest, I really feel like this whole experience has changed me, for the better! It took me a while to process it all – both physically and mentally.
It’s one of those events that doesn’t just test your endurance; it changes your perspective. I’ve noticed a deeper calmness and sense of pride and self-belief that I went all in and followed through with what I said I would do – especially knowing there were so many moments where quitting would have been easier.
This just proves to me on such a deeper level how powerful the mind is when you train it to keep showing up, even when everything hurts. It’s taught me a lot about patience, teamwork, and the importance of preparation, but also surrender – learning to accept what is out of your control.
Now that the dust has settled, I’m left with massive gratitude – for the event organisers, my crew, for everyone who supported the cause, and for the reminder that when you lead with purpose, you can go further than you ever thought possible.
How did it feel to take your longest run from 33 km to over 100 km in one go? Did you have any expectation and if yes- did reality match the expectations?
I had a vision of reaching 100 km, but I didn’t place any expectations on how it was going to unfold. I wanted to stay present and just take it one lap, one kilometre at a time.
When I passed my previous longest distance of 33 km, I was absolutely stoked - I remember high-fiving my crew and feeling on top of the world. Then it was straight back to the grind, still feeling surprisingly good. We celebrated again at the marathon mark, then the 50 km mark - those milestones kept the energy high.
But after around 68 km, things got real. That’s when I went deep into the pain cave, and it became purely mental - every kilometre was just about getting one step closer. When I finally hit over 100 km, there wasn’t much left in the tank to celebrate. I just wanted to kick my shoes off, lie down, and take it all in.
Looking back, the reality was tougher than I could have imagined, but also more rewarding than I ever expected. It was a mix of grit, gratitude, and sheer willpower.
Looking back, what were the easiest and the toughest moments physically and mentally?
The easiest parts were the little distractions and moments of connection along the way - people jumping in to run a few laps with me, the random chats that lifted the mood, the live music that kicked in after midnight - it’s amazing how those small moments become something you really look forward to. Getting back to my tent and seeing my crew always gave me a boost too. Those moments completely refilled my mental and physical energy bank.
The hardest parts came when my body started screaming at me to stop. There was a point where I looked around, and it felt like everyone else was handling it better - like they weren’t hurting at all. That comparison mindset crept in for a bit. But then I stepped out of my comfort zone and went over to a group of younger guys camping next to us, asked how they were feeling, and they gave the exact answer I would’ve - they were in pain too. That shifted everything for me.
It reminded me that what you see on the outside isn’t always the full picture. Everyone’s battling something; we just handle it differently. Another life lesson for both on the track and off it.
If you could speak to the “you” at the start of the 24-hour run, what would you tell her/warn her about/encourage her to embrace?
Take it all in!! Soak up every bit – the good, the bad and the ugly. As through the pain and adversity, there is opportunity for growth you wouldn’t even think is possible.
After pushing so far beyond your comfort zone in many ways, what does “strength” now mean to you?
Strength, to me, is something that’s built - not given. It’s forged through the moments when everything in you wants to stop, but you choose to keep going anyway. Sometimes you have to push yourself to a place that feels unimaginable just to meet the version of yourself that’s been waiting on the other side.
Was there a small, seemingly insignificant moment during the challenge that ended up teaching you more than you would expect?
Yes - it might seem small to others, but the takeaway for me was really profound. It actually happened during the training process, not just the event itself. I reached out to a few companies, brands, and people for support - something I would have never done in the past. I grew up in a culture where you “do it yourself,” and asking for help felt like weakness or pride getting in the way.
This time, I communicated clearly about where I needed help and how I could offer value in return. The response was incredible - people were more than happy to support, and the relationships that came from that have been amazing. It taught me that strength isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about connection, collaboration, and having the courage to ask. That mindset shift definitely helped me achieve my goal.
In a way, endurance running forces you to live fully in the present—what (unexpected?) truths did you discover about yourself in those 24 hours?
That I LOVEEEE cheeseburgers around 66km & next time I will not forget my toothbrush. Furry teeth do not do it for me!!
Did completing this challenge changed the way you approach your own training and coaching and if yes - how?
It’s definitely changed not just how I train and coach, but how I approach life. I’ve always believed in going all in, but this challenge took that to another level. It gave me such a deep sense of self-belief - like a reminder that I’m capable of far more than I thought.
Now, I’m not afraid to try and fail. In fact, failure doesn’t even feel like a threat anymore - it’s just part of the process of growth. That shift has filtered into everything I do - my coaching, my training, my parenting, and even how I make decisions.
It’s almost like a new gear has been unlocked. I’ve proven to myself that I can go beyond what I thought was possible, so now the question is simply, “What’s next?”
Kelly is a mental skills and human performance coach and co-owner of Second Wind Run Club . Follow Kelly on Instagram @kellyisforeveryoung