Welcome!!

Welcome!!  My name is Kate and I am a 15(almost 16) year old, living in South Carolina.  I started this blog to encourage others and myself to get out there and BE ACTIVE!!  But, I’d like to tell you a little about myself.

Ever since I can remember, my mom has been into the latest “trends” in nutrition and fitness.  I remember being absolutely thrilled when she would let me work out to a Tae Bo video with her.  Being mature for my age, and not really fitting in with other kids in my grade, I turned to exercise to be my best friend.  Eventually, when I was in the 7th grade, I went too far.  I am small, about 5’3, and got my weight down to 76 pounds by basically starving myself and exercising to excess.  I was checked into an inpatient treatment facility and treated for anorexia and overexercising. I stayed for three weeks, and a week after I came home, my father passed away, due to bi-polar disorder.  So, the following year and a half was really difficult.  Then, something completely turned my life around.  And this life saver was….RUNNING!!!  I had dabbled in it before, but had not stuck with it.  I began with a walk run program and used that until I worked up to running for 30 minutes at a time.  I realized that I was a pretty decent runner and decided to work on getting in miles rather than minutes.  I soon entered races and pored over magazines life Runner’s World and Running Times.  I also bought countless books on running, trying to improve myself.  Most of the races I’ve done, I have come in 2nd or 3rd in my age group.  I’m working on getting a 1st place soon, but that’s not really why I love running.  I love running because of the way it makes me feel.  It’s indescribable.  The best feeling in my life.  I say that Running is my medicine.  It’s true, I don’t know what I would do without running! Now, I want to work for a major marathon or Runner’s World one day.  I am also beginning training for a marathon.  While many people don’t recommend a teenager running a marathon, I think if the teenager is smart about training, it should do no harm!!  So, welcome to my blog and I hope that you enjoy.