I started running 20 years ago. I found that I loved being outside and the feeling I got afterward. That’s why I keep doing it.

At first, I ran the flat by the Kanawha River. But West Virginia is mountainous, so before long I increased the intensity by adding hills. Now I run four miles a day four days a week.

I’m not an early morning riser, but in D.C., I have to run at 6:30 a.m. if I want to get it in. I'm a creature of habit—I run the same basic route every time.

I leave my apartment, run up to the Mall, and go all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. I run up the steps, read Lincoln's second inaugural address or his Gettysburg Address, look at Lincoln, take a deep breath, and head back.

Washington is a very inspirational place to run. I also go past the World War II Memorial, and my father was a vet—so I'm picking up steam wherever I go.

I run alone except before the Congressional Women's Softball Team practices; then I'll go with Senators Kelly Ayotte [R-NH] and Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY]. We leave the grittiness of politics aside for the morning.

Gillibrand and I recently worked on a bipartisan bill to address sexual assault on college campuses. We wouldn't have had such a solid liftoff to that bill had it not been for the friendship we formed through running.

I ran my first half in 2011 (2:09). I also do a lot of 5Ks, Turkey Trots with my family, and the three-mile Capital Challenge with members of Congress.

When I was in the house, I was the fastest representative a couple of times at the Challenge until [former Ohio Rep.] Jean Schmidt came along and knocked me off my pedestal. We are, by nature, extremely competitive people.

I don’t listen to music when I run. In the morning, I'm formulating my day—maybe I'm planning an upcoming speech. It helps me order myself away from my devices or other distractions.

Running, walking, all these things are important as we age. My parents recently passed away and both had Alzheimer's. You read how physical activity helps your mental acuity. I have a great platform to talk about it.

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Following a two-year campaign that she likens to a marathon, Capito became her state's first female senator ever, and the first Republican senator from West Virginia in 58 years