I’m a Runner Actor and singer Kat Graham

THE SINGER AND ACTOR, 27, OWNS THREE TREADMILLS BUT PREFERS TO RUN OUTSIDE

I’VE BEEN a dancer since I was three, so I assumed I didn’t need to do any other exercise. But once I got busy shooting The vampire diaries I couldn’t to go to dance class as often. So two years ago I bought three treadmills – one for my room on set, one for my house in Atlanta and another for my house in LA.

I STARTED RUNNING to build up my endurance for live shows because I do a lot of dancing and I wanted to

sing live. Running has really helped me with that and it still challenges me after doing it for a few years.

I RUN ABOUT TWO MILES A DAY. I have to do it in the morning. If I don’t start my morning by running I let the day beat me up a little bit; if I can get out for a run I have a really clear head afterwards. I’M A WORKING runner. Sometimes, after days of filming for 15 hours,

I’m struggle exhausted[to get andup for it’s a a run].real

knowEVEN IF it my will scheduleaffect me is mentallyerratic I if slowI stop and working sluggish, out. andI willI won’t become haveday in the the energyway I needto take to. on the

I PRIDE MYSELF on not being some skinny, frail actor. I like the fact that my fans look at me and think, ‘She’s got muscular legs and she likes to work out.’ I’ll never be this tiny thing, and I love the fact that when I run I embrace that.

I HOPE ONE DAY I can run 10 miles without stopping. I can do five at the moment, but not more than that. I’m working towards it every day. And if anybody has tips for me to reach that goal I would happily welcome them.

WHEN I SEE women running, fighting towards a goal, those are the people who inspire me. I think that if they can do it, if they can get off their ass, then I can do it, too.

IF YOU’RE on a treadmill, you’re aware of how much time is going by. When you’re outside, you just run and think about it later. We have the gorgeous, massive Piedmont Park in Atlanta. It’s nice to get that fresh air.

THE MUSIC I prefer to listen to when I’m running – such as Kanye West, The Prodigy, Eminem, 50 Cent and Britney Spears– has the message about persevering and winning. It’s really empowering.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE in perfect shape to start running. You can be at any age and in any sort of health, and know that you’ll be getting better by running. I THINK THAT YOU

push yourself. The should hardest alwaysyou canor the push hardest might you be cana half-milepush might beof the around time the and block. regardless Regardlessof the miles, I say keep going!

‘If I can get out for a run I have a really clear head afterwards’

‘If other women can get off their ass, then I can do it too’

Kat Graham plays Bonnie in the series Thevampirediaries, currently showing on ITV2. She will also appear in the film Alleyezonme, about rapper Tupac Shakur, to be released later this year.