Episode #0121: Katie O'Grady - Playing High School Sports with CF

In this episode, we talk with Katie O’Grady, a 17-year old senior at North Rockland High School in New York. Katie is an avid runner and is a member of the Red Raider varsity cross country and track teams. She talks about the role sports and exercise have played in managing her CF, but particularly how beneficial running has been in keeping herself healthy.  • Katie’s first sport was soccer. She played for five years, but eventually gravitated away from soccer and towards running. • Katie began running early in grade school, running side-by-side with her father. • For Katie, running provides her with an opportunity to think and take in the outdoors around her. • By the eighth grade, Katie was her school’s best competitive runner. • Katie says running has helped keep sinus infections at bay, while improving her breathing. • Aside from running, Katie keeps herself in shape through weight training, swimming, and biking. • When she does get sick, running can be frustrating for Katie, but she stays motivated by remembering the fun times at past events, and the support she has from her friends. • In 2012, Katie crossed the finish line at the New York City Half Marathon, running for Team Boomer. This CF Podcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from GILEAD to the Boomer Esiason Foundation. For more CF Podcasts, visit www.jerrycahill.com