Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Wavryk
Kristen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved from Toronto to California 4 years ago for work, spending 6 months in SF before relocating to LA at the end of 2019.
Growing up, I was an avid runner, often spending Sundays running with my dad, a marathoner and triathlete. I still remember my first cross-country meet in grade 3, finishing 3rd, and I’ve been hooked on the sport ever since.
In high school and university, my focus shifted to fencing, where I competed internationally and at the varsity level, eventually becoming Team Captain in my final year.
After moving to LA in 2019, I rekindled my love for running. While training for my first half marathon in 2022, I joined the Venice Run Club to find running partners for my weekend long runs. There, I met many great local runners, including the founder Justin, who encouraged me to run a full marathon the following year in LA.
Unfortunately, being new to distance running and aiming for a sub-3:30 time, I followed an advanced plan that led to a groin injury a third of the way through my 18-week training plan. This injury took 6 weeks to heal, causing me to miss the intended race. Determined to complete a marathon that year, I pivoted to the OC Marathon with a goal of just finishing and having fun. I exceeded my expectations by finishing in 3:44, feeling incredibly proud of my accomplishment.
This past year, I applied the lessons from my first race, focusing on smart training, strength, and nutrition. This approach helped me achieve a sub-3:30 time and qualify for Boston, not only at the Mesa Marathon in February but also at the LA Marathon 6 weeks later with a personal best of 3:20.
Over the past 3 years, I’ve built a strong local running community and observed that many first-time marathoners face similar challenges, often hitting walls in their training. Distance running requires extensive knowledge to prevent injury—nutrition, fueling, shoe selection, gear, mobility, strength, recovery, and various workouts. Many runners struggle to find comprehensive guidance, often realizing too late, as I did, that there is much more to training for a marathon than meets the eye. Failing to incorporate it early on can quickly lead to injury.
With the explosive growth in distance running over the last 4 years and the rise of running influencers, many runners seek advice online, which can be unreliable and based on personal experience. Professional guidance, on the other hand, can be overwhelming and costly—I spent over $1K on physical therapy for my first injury. While it was worth it to achieve my goal, I wondered how much pain and frustration I could have avoided with more knowledge from the start.
These thoughts led me to launch Run The Weekend—a 3-day marathon education camp in Venice this October. The weekend will feature workouts led by UCLA Track & Field Director Avery Anderson, presentations from Olympic dietitian Sarah Adler, and On Community Manager Adam Klein. Optional breakout sessions will be provided by Athletic Lab Performance Training, Sweat 60, and a mental strength coach.
We know that taking on a marathon can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our goal is to make professional expertise in endurance running more accessible. With a strong foundation, runners’ journeys to the start line can be enjoyable and rewarding. By investing in your training today, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to perform on race day!
Leading up to our October weekend, we’ll host free events around LA, giving participants the chance to win discounts, swag, meet some of our speakers, and ask any questions they have.
Running education is so important to me. Helping other runners reach their goals and build their confidence makes all the work worth it. Running is about pushing yourself to see what you can accomplish, but it’s also about community. I’ve met so many amazing, like-minded people along the way, making Venice feel even more like home.
Outside of launching Run The Weekend, I’ve started a new training block for the NYC Marathon this fall, raising money for the Flatwater Foundation, which provides mental health resources to cancer patients. Having seen the impact of illness firsthand, I’m honored to contribute to their efforts.
The next few months will be busy balancing marathon training, the event launch, and my 9-5 job, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The support of friends, family, and stress cuddling my dog also helps 🙂
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Marathon Training:
Marathon training has had its challenges. I’ve struggled with staying healthy and injury-free over the last three marathons. As a newer distance runner, it’s challenging to learn all the necessary facets for success—diet, nutrition, gear, strength, and recovery regimens. This is a major reason I wanted to build this weekend. Marathons are less about the race itself and more about the hours of training leading up to the big day. The race, in a way, is the reward!
Run The Weekend:
For the event, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a relatively seamless process so far. The community of individuals I’ve met along the way has made everything I’m building toward much easier. I am grateful to Justin from VRC and Lauren from Athletic Lab for introducing me to others within the local community who are a great fit for my event. Every person I’ve talked to has been encouraging and supportive.
One rough moment occurred about a week before I intended to launch the event. My initial Saturday venue emailed to say they had double-booked and could no longer host me. Saturday is arguably RTW’s most important day, requiring a solid space for group presentations and multiple breakout groups throughout the day. After a few emails and calls, I secured Moss later that day—a perfect location off Abbot Kinney providing everything we needed! Pivoting was frustrating and caused adjustments to the budget and marketing, but I believe everything works out as it should. I’m elated with the outcome here.
Aside from that, the biggest hurdle is now getting the event in front of as many runners as possible and selling out remaining tickets!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I work remotely for a New York-based company called Constellation. I’ve been with them for just under three years, working on the Product Design team, specifically on our Design Workspace where clients can build ads. Constellation is a Creative Intelligence solution that accelerates the content supply chain at hyper-speed.
Before this job, I primarily worked in Sales and Product Launch. Like many, I was laid off in 2020. At the time, I was looking for a job that was both creative and analytical. A mentor at my previous company suggested UX Design. After being laid off, I took online courses, dove into the world of design, and built a portfolio. In the summer of 2021, I began applying for Junior Product Design jobs. With a bit of luck, I landed my first interview 2.5 months later and was offered a position at Constellation. Initially hired as a contractor, I transitioned to a full-time role a few months later.
I feel fortunate that the designers I work with have been supportive and encouraging without micromanaging me as I grow my skills as a product designer. It’s a role I’ve enjoyed being challenged in, with lots of opportunities to continue enhancing my responsibilities.
Any big plans?
Run The Weekend:
My plan for RTW is to use this first event as a test—gathering feedback from the running community and assessing the overall interest. Based on the response, I aim to make this a bi-annual event and possibly expand to other cities. I have a few ideas of where this could take me both personally and professionally, but for now, I’m taking it step by step and staying open to opportunities to grow RTW and connect with amazing people along the way.
Running:
Next year, I plan to run the Boston Marathon (assuming I get in based on the time curve) and the Chicago Marathon. My ultimate goal is to one day run a sub-3-hour marathon! Each race teaches me more, fueling my drive and confidence to keep progressing. Plus, I’ve heard that female runners peak in their 30s, so I’m hopeful for that!
Outside of marathons I want to continue taking on new types of running challenges, I did my first trail race this year in Brighton, Utah with some friends from Venice Run Club and it was very challenging. I’d argue it was harder than a marathon with 3,000ft of elevation gain over 6.2 miles and starting at 8,000ft. Next year I’d like to do another one and maybe a relay race like the Speed Project or similar with friends.
Pricing:
- Early Bird Ticket: $385 (sold out!)
- Tier 2 Ticket: $435
- Ticket: $485
Contact Info:
- Website: https://runtheweekend.com/
- Instagram: @_kwaves OR @runtheweekend.la
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@runlikethewaves
Image Credits
All Run The Weekend photos: Sophie Staller
Watershot: Blue Gold Media – Gabriel Mendoza Weiss
Venice Run Club / LA Marathon shot: @theunseenmiles
