That Girl: Meet Cross-Country (Literally) Runner, Katie Visco

Continuing with our weekly column, “That Girl”, we are celebrating the accomplishments of real women who make health and fitness a priority because we know that true athletes come in all shapes, sizes, ages and athletic abilities from around the world. So this week we’re celebrating Katie Visco, a long-distance runner who ran over 3,000 miles across the United States in 2009 and just finished running across the state of Massachusetts last week to help inspire others to find and follow their passions!

Meet:

Katie Visco

Glen Ellyn, IL

26 years old

Founder & Vision-Keeper of Pave Your Lane (www.paveyourlane.com), Speaker and Writer

Fitness/health accomplishment you are most proud of:

Running 3,132 miles across America in 2009, from Boston, MA to San Diego, CA! I ran 17-21 miles a day, over 9 months, stopping en route to speak with young people about harnessing their passions in endeavors that make the world a better place. Who knew!?

What inspires you to get fit every day?

Each day is a gift that I am able to run outside and be with nature. I look forward to what the trees will tell me each day, how the sun might feel on my face, and what road I may happen down. I feel so gosh-darn lucky to have legs that work and to be able to use my own power to float across lands, seeing, feeling and breathing the true forms that are out there. Running each day is also my meditation time, especially when I am out there in the pre-dawn darkness that melts into the the fresh sunrise. What a joy to be able to start each day with a run!

What do you do when you don’t feel like working out?

I replace my workout with something that feeds me in a different way. For example, if I decide to not run one day, I will use that day as a rest day and replace the running with writing a few letters to friends, or reading a book, or going on a walk, or cooking an amazing pot of soup for a friend. I see the time that I would be running as an opportunity to do something that I don’t normally give myself time to do.

Favorite energizing meal:

Fresh dates dipped in healthy peanut butter!!!!! This is the best pre, during, and post-run food combo ever!

What’s your favorite way to chill post-workout?

Stretching helps me wind down. I stretch for about 15 minutes after each run. But the best way I chill is to cook! I will fix myself breakfast with a mug of hot water by my side, or cook up a pot of soup! I love being intentional with my post run meal, taking the time to prepare it and then appreciate its deliciousness.

What is your top kick-ass workout?

Running across a state;) Thinking of running across Utah next this spring. Ideas?

Where is your favorite/most unique place you’ve ever run?

Kansas. I ran across Kansas, all 450 miles of it, when I was running across America in 2009. It was a spiritual place for me because each morning I would start running in the pre-dawn hours, and would continue running as the sun came up behind me, glistening upon the fields of corn and wheat. The Kansas sunrises are the most beautiful in the world. When I was out there I felt like I was living in a completely different realm of existence.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned through sports?

Where to start?! How about the first step. If we take that one, first step, then we will be led in the direction we knew all along we wanted to go. It’s so beautiful – what happens after that first step. It will blow your mind.

Calling all female athletes (that means you!): Do you surf, ski, swim, climb mountains, mountain bike, compete in races or stay fit with any other sport? We want to inspire other women with your story. Send an email to editor@Blisstree.com with the subject “That Girl”.

Photo: Katie Visco