We are spotlighting one of our newer members today: Kaitlin Kenny. Active duty military, aerialist, recent IM 70.3 Worlds qualifier: this girl is interesting, talented and an outstanding athlete. Here’s more:
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
December 2023
December 2023
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
2012
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
Sometimes when I look back, I have no idea how I actually got into this sport. I was a sprinter in high school and a little bit in college, but hated distance running and used to complain if I had to do more than a mile. I got my arm twisted into doing the Marine Corps Marathon back in 2011 (poorly trained) and barely made it across the finish line. One of my friends started talking about this thing called Ironman… My exact words were “Those people are (*&$ing crazy, I will never do that.” 6 months later I was signed up for my first sprint. By 2016, I had done my first full and that was really the moment I became hooked.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Disney Marathon! If I had to pick a tri, it would be IM Florida.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
An unexpected Kona qualification in 2022
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Consistency in training and motivation
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
Pizza
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I am unattached except for two awesome schnauzers named Devlin and Grace O’Malley. My brother started doing triathlons because of me though, which I think is pretty cool. He came down to Pensacola to do his first ever race with me, and we did our first fulls together at IM Louisville in 2016.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’m active duty Air Force, currently stationed at Lackland AFB as a squadron commander. I’ve been in for 18 years now and increasingly find myself wondering where the time went. For hobbies, I love to travel, boasting trips to 58 countries, and have spent the last 10 years as a semi-professional aerialist! I’m not performing at the moment, but I will again someday, when I get more time back.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I can be incredibly superstitious, especially concerning races and pre-race activities.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I have seen you guys at so many races and have been inspired by every single one of you – from the elites to the mere mortals. It is such a supportive group, very glad I had a chance to join!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Giles Kristian
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
The Blue Fig (Amman, Jordan)
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
I’m not sure how to answer this. I draw inspiration from so many people, both historical and contemporary, it would be hard to single out just one.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR
Figuring out where and what my next job will be.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
You will not find someone with crazier true experience stories than me. Someone once joking said I was like the female version of the Dos Equis guy, and it’s kind of taken on a life of its own. Also, I’m a huge star wars fan – dark side all the way!
