Kaitlyn Suter
Name: Kaitlyn Suter
Age: 35
Hometown: Summerfield, NC / now, Westminster, CO
Sport(s)/Activity: OCR (obstacle course racing), functional fitness competitions (Dekafit, Camp Gladiator Games) Running, considering getting into Tactical Games
Affiliations/Groups: Gym: FitFocr
Social Media Handles:
Insta: @Ksuterephoto
1. Why did I first choose my sport?
It was an accident. I’ve always been active and into fitness, and a group at my gym in NC convinced me to do a Spartan Race. I immediately fell in love!
2. Why do I continue to play my sport?
I love OCR! It continuously pushes me and my athletic abiity. Its more than just being able to run, you have to be able to be strong and be able to do the obstacles too. The OCR community has some of the most
awesome people I’ve ever met. They are welcoming, helpful, friendly and encouraging!
awesome people I’ve ever met. They are welcoming, helpful, friendly and encouraging!
3. If I could achieve anything I wished for in my sport, what would it be?
I really wanted to podium in my age group this year. I’ve gotten close but not quite there yet. However I have improved from last year, and learned what I need to work on for OCR and my overall fitness in general. That is extremely valuable to me as an athlete.
4. What are the physical things I do really well in my sport?
I am actually best at the obstacles. Ironically my weakness is running. I have a sprinting background, and have only been training distance for the past few years. Running endurance just takes a lot of time to build.
5. What are the mental things I do really well in my sport?
I have learned how to keep pushing when I get tired and to keep going when I’m frustrated and discouraged. Having a strong mind to push through the pain is beneficial, and to do things you don't want especially when your brain is screaming at you to stop. This is always a work in progress.
6. How physically fit/strong do I need to be for my sport?
You need good upper body strength, because most of the obstacles are upper body dominant, and a good running base.
7. What skills and attributes do the best athletes have in my sport?
They are strong and can run fast. Most of the best athletes in the sport have been distance runners their whole lives, so their running engine is insane.
8. What do I need to do to make sure I’m physically prepared for my sport?
I do a lot of running, upper body strength training, grip strength training, and overall fitness/endurance. Also, obstacle practice because there are techniques for some obstacles, and the more comfortable you are with them the faster you will be.
9. How many hours of sleep do I need each night?
I try to get 7-8 hours
10. How do I make sure I get a sound night’s sleep?
I've never had a problem with sleep, but my flexible schedule makes it easier to make sure I get the sleep I need.
11. How do I know if my recovery is working?
If I feel fresh and my muscles don’t feel achy/sore. Usually if I am not recovered my body will let me know, and my muscles will be mad and not as responsive!
12. What about sport brings me the most joy?
I enjoy a challenge and seeing what my body is capable of. Its fun to push the limit of what I thought I could do and then build from there. I also like the mental challenge and learning to control my mind and thoughts during a hard workout or competition.
13. How important is achieving my sporting goals to me?
Pretty important! I’m to the point now where I want what I’m doing to pay off, and who doesn't like winning and seeing improvement. I’ve been working to better figure out what competitions are best suited for my skills and also figure out how to be more consistent so I can get better. Discovering my weaknesses is a valuable part of the journey but one that will also help me improve.
14. Where does confidence come from?
Confidence comes from knowing what you are capable of and where your limits are. But also not being afraid to push past those limits when the time is right, or to get better.
15. What am I going to change tomorrow to make me better than I was today?
Be consistent and do what you don’t want to do! Being consistent has been my weakness my whole life. But if I want to improve I need to be consistent, even if it is just a little bit at a time. Its a work in progress but I am getting better at it. That is tied with doing what you don’t want to do, because sometimes being consistent isn't fun or convenient.
16. Any other info you want to share about yourself or your sport?
For the most part I have been doing OCR races, but over the past few months I have decided to branch out into other competitions that might cater to more of my strong suites. My weakness in OCR is the running because I don’t have a distance running background (and I’m not a 5’ 2” 90 lb athlete lol). I am competing in Cerus Brix, which is a brix style competition with Agility, Speed, Strength and Endurance brix. My goal is to make it to semis, but this competition also caters to more of my strengths and not just a bunch of running. I’ve also been training for Camp Gladiator Games for the past few months with the goal of getting to Nationals. I am considering doing Tactical Games next year, which is shooting meets OCR, meets CrossFit. I’m practicing my shooting and working more consistently on overall endurance, to decide if this is a good option for me. I’m excited to try some new things and have a better chance of placing better in some events.