Katie Howell – Featured Runner of the Week

Grounded Running Katie Howell – Featured Runner of the Week

Every runner deserves to be featured here! Katie Howell – Featured Runner of the Week is an amazing spotlight and we are honored to feature him here. All have their unique attributes and stories. 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 their own barriers, whether it was the first 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. 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 that can be found running and racing around town and operating Beaufort Running Tours. This week, let’s take a few minutes and get to know Katie Howell.

Katie Howell – Featured Runner of the Week

Name: Katie Howell        Katie Howell - Featured Runner of the Week

Age: 34

Where are you originally from? Greer, SC

What is your favorite distance to race? Why? I love the half marathon. It is a good workout and requires some training, but I don’t have to give my soul to it like a marathon. Between work and being a mom, I’m having the most fun running 5k’s and 10k’s right now.

What originally got you into running? I grew up a year round swimmer, but during my 8th grade year my best friend who was 8th in the state in cross country convinced me to hit the road instead. My first practice was at 3:30 in the afternoon on a hot August day and we did 6 miles. I managed to complete the season, but I swore I would never run again! But once I quit swimming the only thing that give me the same intense workout was running so here I am 16 years later…wow I haven’t done that math in a while. I am getting old!

What is your main motivation to keep going? This is a tough Katie Howell - Featured Runner of the Weekone. I love everything about running. The strength and confidence you gain from it. The calorie burn so I can indulge my sweet tooth. The competitiveness and the friendships it has created have helped mold who I am today.

When you’re not running, what do you do? I work at Beaufort Memorial and I love spending time with my family, baking, and being outside.

What is your next race? My next race will be the Taste of Beaufort 5K.

Describe your perfect run: 60 degrees, mild humidity, sunrise, scenic with running partners to push me a little.

What piece of advice do you have for someone who is just starting out? Take it one step at a time and go from there. When I first started running, I couldn’t make it down my half mile driveway. Each run I picked a point a little farther away to run to and eventually I was running six miles. Just keep at it and don’t give up; keep going and it will get easier!

What has been the single greatest thing you have gotten Katie Howell - Featured Runner of the Weekback from running? Sanity. People call me crazy because of how much and when I run, but in truth running has been the thing in my life that has grounded me the most.

Goals for this year? I’d like to improve my pace for middle to long distance runs.

Beaufort Running Tours: Since Katie didn’t mention it, I wanted to share with you her other great venture! Katie operates Beaufort Running Tours which offers an unique tour through the historic and scenic points of the South’s most treasured destination. Be sure to check out Katie’s website and schedule a tour. Running distance is approximately 3 miles with 8-10 stops.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story Katie, you continue to motivate and inspire those around you through your ongoing friendship and support of the local running community! Keep up the great work and we wish you the best of luck this year! #staygrounded #runbeaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

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