Caitlin Howe – Featured Runner of the Week

Caitlin Howe – Featured Runner of the Week

This week is our 20th edition of our favorite weekly post. Caitlin Howe – Featured Runner of the Week is another amazing spotlight and we are honored to feature her here. The aim of having a Featured Runner of the Week is not to necessarily single out any individuals, but we want to feature runners who through their uniqueness may one day inspire you to run or reach for new running highs. Every runner has broken down their own barriers, whether it was the big obstacle to take the first running step or entering a race. Each runner will have their own story and to most these stories to others are very inspiring.

We welcome your feedback and nominations of runners who you feel deserve to be featured here. Our Featured Runner of the Week is selected at random on a bi-weekly basis. Every runner deserves to be mentioned and we will do our best to select a wide field of runners to bring their stories for you to enjoy.

This week we feature another amazing local runner who recently returned to the Beaufort area. Let’s take a few minutes and get to know Grounded Running’s newest employee, Caitlin Howe.

Caitlin Howe – Featured Runner of the Week

Name: Caitlin HoweCaitlin Howe - Featured Runner of the Week

Age: 25

Where are you originally from? Beaufort, SC  (The best city on Earth!)

What is your favorite distance to race? Why?   Right now I’d say the 5k because I know it’s a race that builds a solid foundation for distance running in the future. In a few years I’m hoping to focus on the marathon.

What originally got you into running? Originally I started running to train for soccer; however, after one season of cross country I was hooked.

What is your main motivation to keep going? Like many sports, running is a humbling experience because you can always get better. You can always get faster or train for longer distances. My main motivation to keep going is to stay healthy. I struggled with an eating disorder for a large portion of my life and it messed with my running significantly through middle school to college. After a long road of recovery I’m healthier than I’ve ever been and that’s how I intend to stay. I’m motivated to maintain a healthy mindset and regimen. Caitlin Howe - Featured Runner of the WeekEating disorders in this sport are very common for young athletes, boy or girl. When I was running in college I was talking with some of the football players and they asked what sport I did. I responded with Cross Country and one of the guys said, “Oh, I thought runners were skinny.” There’s a certain image that everyone associates with runners and if someone isn’t that size they don’t see you as a “runner”. That needs to stop now, every body is different. I have many friends who have dealt with the same struggle and we’re motivated to stay healthy, enjoy our favorite sport, and hope our story will help inspire young athletes and adults to stay healthy as well.

When you’re not running, what do you do? If I’m not running, I am usually hanging out with my dog. I have a 5 year old black lab and she loves going for walks and playing fetch in the yard. Other times I am hanging out with my family . We’re all pretty close so we see each other every week either by playing cards, watching movies, or I’m practicing cornhole so I can finally beat my stepdad.   😉

What is your next race? The Shrimp Festival 5K.

Describe your perfect run: Any run like our Saturday morning group run is my perfect typeCaitlin Howe - Featured Runner of the Weekof run (just with cooler weather). I love group run settings! It’s such an incredible way to the start the day by getting a run in, seeing your friends, and most importantly hearing how their run went and how they’re feeling. Then finishing up with a post run coffee.

What piece of advice do you have for someone who is just starting out? Just have fun and enjoy running for the amazing sport it is. Be patient, stay conservative in the beginning, and run your own race. All too often we compare ourselves to others and think, “Why I am not there yet?” It takes time. Focus on time on your feet rather than how fast you’re going.

What has been the single greatest thing you have gotten back from running? Ah! So many things! Can I answer in two parts? I hope so 🙂  Extrinsically: Friends. I have met some of the greatest people on earth through this amazing sport. The running community is made up of the most supportive and genuine people. Intrinsically: Mental toughness. Running is a mentally tough sport as it is physically. To go out there and consistently push yourself to run further or faster takes a certain level of grittiness. The best part is that what you learn through running, or any other sport, you can apply to other areas of your life as well. The grit I have towards running I certainly apply when I’m working, and the drive I have to improve myself physically is the same drive I have wanting to improve myself as a person.

Goals for this year?  My main goal is to stay healthy Caitlin Howe - Featured Runner of the Weekand enjoy the sport. Assuming that goal is consistently met I’d like to get my 5k time in the low 19’s to high 18’s. Seeing my times improve would be such a rewarding experience of finally living healthier.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story this week Caitlin! You continue to inspire those around you through your support of the local running community. We are thrilled to have Caitlin as part of the Grounded Running Team as she joins us with a vast knowledge base which she gained at Big River Company in St. Louis, MO. Come in and meet Caitlin or join us on an upcoming Beaufort Track Club group run! #staygrounded #runbeaufort #runwithpassion

 

Grounded Running Beaufort

Caitlin Howe - Featured Runner of the Week

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

864 Parris Island Gateway Unit B – Beaufort, SC 29906 – 843-986.4523